FLORIDA KEYS – Accommodations options in the Florida Keys, like the island chain itself, reflect a colorful diversity of cultural and historic influences.

Visitors eager to discover these influences can stay in resort hotels frequented by playwrights and presidents, inns evolved from stately homes that once sheltered cigar barons and shipwreck salvagers, Victorian gems built by merchants and millionaires, or even former fish camps exuding rustic waterfront charm.

Whether newly constructed or carefully restored, the lodging properties from Key Largo to Key West are rich in atmosphere and amenities.

From late 2014 through 2015 nine new properties, comprising just over 1,000 rooms, and a number of renovated lodgings are to welcome Keys visitors. Like the current accommodations options, each will showcase aspects of the island chain's attractions and appeal.

They begin at the head of the Keys in Key Largo with the elegant Playa Largo Resort and Spa, the newest hotel to join Marriott's Autograph Collection, set to open in late 2015. The 14-acre waterfront resort features 144 luxury rooms and suites.

Amenities include a private marina, multiple bars and restaurants, full-service spa and fitness offerings, a beach house for private or corporate functions, wedding and conference facilities including a ballroom, a secluded white sand beach and much more. www.playalargoresort.com

In Islamorada, four leading lodgings — Postcard Inn Beach Resort at Holiday Isle, La Siesta Resort, Pelican Cove Resort and Marina and the Islamorada Resort — now comprise the Islamorada Resort Company and are seeing significant enhancements.

The first of this group of properties to complete renovations was Pelican Cove Resort and Marina, which re-opened in January 2015. All of the 63 waterfront guestrooms and suites were redecorated and upgraded with modern amenities. In addition to enhancements to the meeting areas, pool and restaurant, Pelican Cove now offers a variety of programs including yoga, paddleboarding, sunrise oil painting and a macramé beading class. www.pelicancovehotel.com

Particularly notable is the recent re-launch of the Islamorada Resort as Amara Cay Resort, an upscale boutique hotel. Property renovations included increasing the number of rooms and suites to 110, updating outdoor amenities and creating an Italian-style eatery. Guests can anticipate daily food and beverage experiences and a Mercedes shuttle to Islamorada's most popular locales. www.amaracayresort.com

Also in Islamorada, after a yearlong multi-million dollar renovation, the Islander Resort has joined the expanding collection of Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts. Renovations include upgrades throughout both the main 114-unit oceanside property and the 25-unit bayside marina townhouse compound. The small collection of Guy Harvey Outpost resorts and lodges showcases Harvey's marine wildlife art, scientific research and conservation advocacy. www.guyharveyoutpostislamorada.com

Vacationers should be able to spot The Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club with ease: it incorporates the famed Faro Blanco Lighthouse, a Middle Keys landmark since the 1950s.

With the lighthouse as its “beacon,” the recently opened Marathon property features an upscale 125-room Hyatt Place hotel with two pools, a fitness center, meeting space and a waterfront restaurant and outdoor bar called Lighthouse Grill. Boaters can enjoy a 74-slip state-of-the art marina capable of handling vessels up to 100 feet long. www.faroblancoresort.com/hotel

At the southernmost tip of the Keys island chain lies eclectic, artistic Key West — and travelers now are welcomed at the island's entrance by The Gates Hotel Key West. With the first building opened in spring 2015 and the second set for July, the new 245-room hotel blends refined luxury, minimalist design, artwork, food and music into a chic and comfortable lodging experience.

Guest rooms feature whitewashed beams, custom cypress platform beds and photography from an exclusive local gallery.

Other highlights include the Rum Row bar, two large swimming pools with cabanas and daybeds, a restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner, fitness and business centers, and a distinctive atmosphere reminiscent of “old Key West.” www.gateshotelkeywest.com

The southernmost city's Historic Seaport, one of the most popular gathering places for visitors and residents alike, houses a lively diversity of restaurants, shops and attractions. The district's newest gem is The Marker Waterfront Resort, a two-acre luxury property that debuted in December 2014.

The 96-room resort combines a modern and timeless aesthetic with the free spirit and tropical nature of the Key West community. Four room categories are available, offering marina, pool, garden and Old Town views.

Surrounded by lush landscaping, guests can relax and swim at multiple swimming pools, complete with poolside cocktail service, savor Cali-Mex–inspired cuisine at the on-site Cero Bodega or enjoy the ocean view. www.themarkerkeywest.com.

Located on the heart of Duval Street, the classic Crowne Plaza Key West La Concha has recently undergone significant renovations to the 160-unit property. The hotel lobby has been upgraded with stylish parquet flooring and shades of ivory, white and mahogany adorn all interiors from the seating area to the bar lounge.

La Concha guests can enjoy enhanced restaurant offerings at the new 430 Duval and a vast selection of fine wines from around the world at the Wine-O wine bar. La Concha also has completed Top Spa, a new spa located on the top floor of the building. The indulgent spa menu includes three- and four-hour packages including everything from body treatments and facials to nail services and massages. www.laconchakeywest.com

Another Duval Street property is seeing a major change in 2015. The Southern Cross Hotel has been purchased by the owner of the Saint Hotel New Orleans and has been transformed and rebranded into the Saint Hotel Key West. The historic two-story building features 37 renovated guest rooms and six suites. Also featured are a large landscaped pool, cabana area, sprawling lobby bar and 75-person balcony overlooking Duval Street. www.thesainthotelkeywest.com.

Appealing as they are, these are only a handful of the Keys properties debuting enhancements or opening. Others include Islamorada's renovated Smuggler's Cove Resort and Marina, Marathon's new Courtyard by Marriott, the renovated Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort, Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway and the recently purchased Banana Bay Resort & Marina. Key West is set to see several new properties including the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Hilton Garden Inn — debuting in spring 2015 — as well as renovations to the recently purchased Doubletree Grand Key Resort, Spindrift Hotel, Southwinds Motel, Ocean Breeze Inn, Olivia by Duval, and La Te Da Hotel.

The 125-mile Florida Keys island chain is characterized by a rich natural environment, flourishing creative community, balmy subtropical climate, and a friendly laidback vibe that seems worlds away from everyday cares. These new and revitalized properties — with their diverse designs, amenities, prices and location — will add their own unique flavors to the intriguing mix as they welcome visitors eager to experience and explore the Keys.