FLORIDA KEYS HOTELS

Overview · Restaurants · Hotels

Azul Del Mar MM 104.3, BS, 104300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037, USA	305/451-0337 or 888/253-2985 Read Review
Palms bathe the grounds in shade and the dock points the way to many beautiful sunsets at this recently reborn boutique inn. Advertising director Karol Marsden and her husband Dominic, a commercial travel photographer, transformed a run-down waterfront mom-and-pop into Azul Del Mar in 2004. As you'd expect of two image makers, the place is lovely to look at, from the marble floors, dark wood furniture, and Provençal yellow leather sofas to the ice-blue bath tiles, Tom Seghi paintings, and dark granite countertops. Beauty here isn't just good looks. With their warm hospitality and desire to create the kind of place they've been promoting throughout their careers, they've also made it a great place for adults to stay and play. They're avid sailors, so water toys are plentiful. For the ultimate in mixing business with pleasure, take your laptop to the beach; the resort is a Wi-Fi hot spot. www.azulkeylargo.com. 5 suites. In-room: no phone, kitchen, refrigerator, VCR, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: beachfront, water sports, bicycles, no-smoking rooms, Internet, no kids (except by special arrangement). AE, MC, V.
Banana Bay Resort & Marina MM 49.5, BS, 4590 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL 33050, USA	305/743-3500 or 800/226-2621 Read Review
Dating to the 1950s when it was a fishing lodge, this 10-acre family-friendly property welcomes you with lush gardens filled with leafy palms, banyan, and banana trees. The standard guest rooms are decorated in tropical style, with vivid colors and wicker furnishings. Most rooms have balconies overlooking the marina and Florida Bay. Banana Bay has a sister property in Key West that's adults only. www.bananabay.com. 65 rooms. In-room: kitchen (some), refrigerator. In-hotel: restaurant, tennis courts, pool, beachfront, water sports. AE, MC, V.
Casa Morada MM 82, BS, 136 Madeira Rd., Islamorada, FL 33036, USA	305/664-0044 or 888/881-3030 Read Review
Three female hoteliers brought their cumulative 50 years of New York and Miami Beach experience to the Keys. Using their transformative magic, they've turned this waterfront resort into an all-suites showcase befitting the French Riviera, with a Caribbean accent, of course. Lush landscaping, a pool surrounded by a sandy "beach," artwork, blooming orchids, CD players, and outdoor lounges at the water's edge are just the start. Clean, cool tile and terrazzo floors invite you to kick off your shoes and step out to your private patio overlooking the gardens and bay. Breakfast and lunch are served on the waterside terrace. www.casamorada.com. 16 suites. In-room: safe, DVD, dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, pool, bicycles, concierge, laundry service, no-smoking rooms, minibar. AE, MC, V. Continental breakfast.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa MM 82, OS, Box 527, Islamorada, FL 33036, USA	305/664-4651 or 800/327-2888 Read Review
Stretching across 27 oceanfront acres, this classic resort has luxury beachfront bungalows, suites, and rooms, as well as fish-filled lagoons. Accommodations include West Indies-style furniture and 42-inch plasma TVs. Beckoning are the beach and water sports, as well as massages, facials, and body treatments at the spa. Rooms have either an ocean, garden, or golf-course view. There's a $39-plus-tax per-day resort fee that covers tennis, golf, fishing tackle, and kayaks. The Cheeca is the local leader in green activism, with everything from recycling programs to ecotours. Camp Cheeca for kids, $35 per child per day (ages 5-12, Tues.-Sat. 9 AM-1 PM), $25 per night, is fun and educational. www.cheeca.com. 139 rooms, 64 suites. In-room: refrigerator (some), VCR, dial-up. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bar, golf course, tennis courts, pools, gym, spa, beachfront, diving, water sports, bicycles, concierge, children's programs (ages 5-12), laundry service, no-smoking rooms, Internet, minibar (some). AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Conch Key Cottages MM 62.3, OS, FL, USA	305/289-1377 or 800/330-1577 Read Review
Flowering shrubs, palm trees, hammocks, a beach, and ocean breezes evoke the spirit of the tropics at this small, secluded resort composed of a fourplex motel efficiency and lattice-trimmed, pastel-color cottages furnished in reed, rattan, and wicker. One- and two-bedroom cottages have kitchens. Three cottages face the beach. Although not on the water, the small honeymoon cottage is very charming. On rare days when the wind shifts, highway noise can be distracting. Complimentary use of a double kayak is included. There's a three-night minimum and check-in or check-out on Wednesday and Saturday only from mid-December through April. Mailing address: R.R. 1, Box 424, Marathon, FL, 33050, USA. www.conchkeycottages.com. 12 units. In-room: no phone, kitchen (some), VCR (some). In-hotel: pool, beachfront, water sports, laundry facilities, no-smoking rooms. D, MC, V.
Hawk's Cay Resort MM 61, OS, Duck Key, FL, USA	305/743-7000 or 888/443-6393 Read Review
A kids' club, kids' night out, and pirate ship make this resort a family favorite. Opened in 1959, it's a rambling Caribbean-style retreat, with two-bedroom villas, and spacious rooms with wicker and earthy colors. Recreational facilities are extensive, as are supervised programs for kids and teens. The Dolphin Connection provides three educational experiences with dolphins, including the in-the-water Dolphin Discovery program, which lets you get up-close and personal with the intelligent mammals. The room rate does not include a $10 to $20 daily resort fee. www.hawkscay.com. 177 rooms, 16 suites, 295 2-bedroom villas. In-room: kitchen (some), refrigerator, dial-up. In-hotel: 4 restaurants, room service, bars, tennis courts, pools, gym, spa, diving, water sports, concierge, children's programs (ages 5-12), laundry facilities, laundry service, airport shuttle, no-smoking rooms. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Jules' Undersea Lodge MM 103.2, OS, 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo, FL 33037, USA	305/451-2353 Read Review
This place isn't out of this world but it's certainly out of the ordinary. You can truly sleep with the fishes in this underwater inn. But don't plan a dip if you're claustrophobic -- each of the two bedrooms is a harrowing 8-by-10 feet, though the entire chamber (a former research lab) has 640 square feet. You'll spend your visit at 5 fathoms (30 feet) below the surface with three 42-inch round windows for viewing sea life. The only way to gain access to the lodge is by diving, and guests must either be certified divers or take the hotel's three-hour introductory course (an additional $80). Two guest rooms share a kitchen and bathroom. Rates include breakfast and either a full or light dinner, unlimited dives, and use of diving gear. Because of the length of stay underwater, once back on terra firma, you can't fly for 24 hours. The office is only open from 8 AM to 4 PM. www.jul.com. 2 rooms. In-room: kitchen, VCR. In-hotel: pool, diving, no kids under 10, no-smoking rooms. AE, D, MC, V. 2 meals.
Kona Kai Resort MM 97.8, BS, 97802 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037, USA	305/852-7200 or 800/365-7829 Read Review
Bougainvilleas, coconut palms, and guava trees decorate a 2-acre hideaway that's one of the prettiest places to stay in the Keys. Each of the intimate cottages has tropical furnishings, CD players, and fruit-scented toiletries. Spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom suites -- with full kitchens and original art -- are light-filled. Outside, kick back in a lounge chair or hammock, soak in the Jacuzzi, or try a paddleboat or kayak. The resort also has an art gallery, and an orchid house with more than 250 flowers. Maid service is every third day to prolong your privacy; however, fresh linens and towels are available at any time. The resort closes during September. www.konakairesort.com. 8 suites, 5 rooms. In-room: no phone, kitchen (some), refrigerator, VCR (some). In-hotel: tennis court, pool, beachfront, concierge, no kids under 16, no-smoking rooms, Internet. AE, D, MC, V.
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa MM 28.5, OS, 28500 Overseas Hwy., Little Torch Key, FL 33042, USA	305/872-2524 or 800/343-8567 Read Review
Haute tropicale best describes this luxury retreat, while "second mortgage" might explain how some of us can afford to stay here. But to those who can, it's worth the price. This property is on a 5-acre palm-fringed island 3 mi offshore. The 28 oceanfront one-bedroom, thatch-roof bungalow suites have slate-tile baths, mosquito netting-draped king beds, and British colonial-style furnishings. Other comforts include an indoor and outdoor shower, private veranda, a separate living room, and robes and slippers. Two Island Grand Suites are twice the size of the others and offer his-and-her bathrooms, an outdoor hot tub, and uncompromising ocean views. Cellular phones are verboten in public areas. www.littlepalmisland.com. 30 suites. In-room: no phone, safe, refrigerator, no TV, dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bars, pool, gym, spa, beachfront, diving, water sports, concierge, airport shuttle, parking (no fee), no kids under 16, no-smoking rooms, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V. 2 meals.
Marriott's Key Largo Bay Beach Resort MM 103.8, BS, 103800 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037, USA	305/453-0000 or 866/849-3753 Read Review
This 17-acre bay-side resort has numerous diversions, including a white-sand beach and outdoor activities ranging from personal watercraft and parasailing to tennis and volleyball courts. The resort's lemon-yellow, grill-balconied, and spire-topped stories slice between highway and bay and exude an air of warm, indolent days. Rooms and suites have rattan tropical-style furnishings and balconies; from some, watch the sunset sweep across the bay. If you plan to spend little time in your room, select one sans view or balcony for lower rates. www.marriottkeylargo.com. 132 rooms, 20 2-bedroom suites, 1 penthouse suite. In-room: safe, kitchen (some), dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bars, tennis court, pool, gym, spa, beachfront, diving, water sports, bicycles, children's programs (ages 5-13), laundry facilities, laundry service, no-smoking rooms, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Sheraton Beach Resort, Key Largo MM 97, BS, 97000 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037, USA	305/852-5553 or 800/850-5099 Read Review
This 12½-acre escape sits within a hardwood hammock and has the southern extremities of Everglades National Park as its near neighbor. That was the intent of the original owners, who ducked the idea of destroying the natural vegetation and adding to the usual roadside eyesores brought by development. Spacious guest rooms got a makeover in 2005 that added Sweet Sleeper beds, refrigerators, and a fresh tropical decor. Most rooms overlook the water or woods, but some face the parking lot. Lighted nature trails and boardwalks wind through the woods to a small beach. Two small pools are separated by a coral rock wall and waterfall. Both restaurants, one of which is very casual, overlook the water. The beach is small, but the vistas are tremendous. www.keylargoresort.com. 190 rooms, 10 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bars, tennis courts, pools, gym, beachfront, water sports, bicycles, no-smoking rooms, some pets allowed (fee), minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
The Caribbean Resort and Marina MM 82, OS, 109 E. Carroll St., Islamorada, FL 33036, USA	305/664-2235 or 800/799-9175 Read Review
On 8½ acres, this resort has a beautiful sandy beach, two docks, and two types of accommodations. Old concrete duplex "villas" were modernized with tasteful island furnishings, tile floors, and a private deck or patio. You'll smell the sea from all of them. Next door are the gilded lilies: Caribbean-style one- and two-bedroom houses with open-beam ceilings, wraparound porches, and light, breezy, oh-so-tropical furnishings ($250-$500 for four to eight guests). Public areas are equally appealing. The large walk-in, beach-entry-style pool is surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs. The resort has two piers -- one stretching from the marina, the other from the beach. www.thecaribbeanresort.com. 21 units, 9 villas, 12 houses. In-room: kitchen (some), VCR (some). In-hotel: pool, beachfront, water sports. AE, MC, V.
The Moorings MM 81.6, OS, 123 Beach Rd., Islamorada, FL 33036, USA	305/664-4708 Read Review
Imagine your ideal tropical retreat with hammocks swaying between tall palm trees, beaches lapped by aqua-green waves, and wooden houses with verandahs and wicker furniture. Imagination becomes reality at the Moorings. It's one of the Keys' finest hostelries, somewhat reminiscent of a plantation on a private island. Tucked in a beachfront tropical forest are one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages, outfitted with artistic African fabrics, pristine kitchens, plush towels, and cushy bedcovers. The beach has Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and a swimming dock. A new spa indulges guests with massages and beauty treatments. There's a two-night minimum on one-bedrooms and a one-week minimum on other lodgings. www.themooringsvillage.com. 5 cottages, 13 houses. In-room: kitchen (some), dial-up. In-hotel: tennis court, pool, spa, beachfront, water sports, laundry facilities. AE, MC, V.