The 7 Best Florida Keys Resorts For A Memorable Vacation

Made up of over 1,000 islands, The Florida Keys is an earthly paradise that comprises pristine beaches, national parks, historical sights, and tropical gardens. Key West, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon are the most popular places to base yourself...

Feb 18, 2023 - 21:01

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The 7 Best Florida Keys Resorts For A Memorable Vacation

Made up of over 1,000 islands, The Florida Keys is an earthly paradise that comprises pristine beaches, national parks, historical sights, and tropical gardens.

Key West, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon are the most popular places to base yourself in the Florida Keys. Throughout these islands, you’ll find a rich mix of first-class resorts that provides unlimited activities and amenities — think of idyllic private beaches, luxurious spas, majestic stunning pools, tropical bars, award-winning restaurants, and kids’ clubs, to name a few.

With such a wide array of high-touch amenities, facilities, and, of course, impeccable service Florida Key’s resorts are certainly on top of their game.

Here’s a hand-picked list of the best resorts in the Florida Keyhs considering aesthetics, service, location, and value for money. You’re sure to find the perfect fit on this list, no matter your budget or style preferences.

The best part? You can find all these resorts at the best prices at CuddlyNest.

Best Florida Keys Resorts

Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton

Photo Credit: Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo

Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo is a tranquil beachside getaway in southern Key Largo, known for its idyllic beaches, tropical hardwoods, winding creeks, and state parks. The resort is home to different accommodation types, all offering expansive views of the Florida Bay or lush resort grounds, private balconies, 50″ flat screen TV, and all-natural Lather® bath amenities.

For the ultimate luxury experience, book a stay at the Premium One-Bedroom Waterfront Suite. The suite offers majestic views of the sugar-white sand beach, aside from a range of first-class amenities like a glass-enclosed roman tub, a spacious living and dining area, a wet bar, and a comfy king-sized bed.

Head over to Ooh la la at The Cay, the resort’s full-service spa for relaxing massage therapy, and a mud detoxifying hydro wrap, or go to the private beach for a well-deserved sundowner.

Framed by lush vegetation, Baker’s Cay’s two outdoor swimming pools offer the perfect environment for a refreshing summer dip, while the Calusa restaurant treats guests to Creole-Caribbean dishes, with a focus on sustainably sourced Florida Keys seafood.

Adventures are also big in Baker’s Cay’s. Fun-filled activities, like snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, parasailing, and dolphin watching are brought to you by the amazing Cay-1 resort activities team.

Address: 97000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL

Top Amenities: On-site restaurants and bars, private beach, pet friendly, business center, water sports

Casa Marina Key West

Photo Caption: Casa Marina Key West

Pure, and peaceful well-being awaits within Casa Marina Key West. Often regarded as one of the best luxury hotels in Key West, the resort is beautifully set in a 1920s building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Casa Marina is home to 311 spacious guest rooms and suites, all featuring big windows, plush signature robes, wireless high-speed Internet access, LCD flat-screen television, and Nespresso coffee/tea machine.

To elevate your Key West vacation, stay at the 600 sq. ft. suite Oceanfront King Suite, which boasts a private balcony with stunning ocean views, as well as a lavish separate living area.

Lounge by one of Casa Marina’s two oceanfront pools, or sunbathe in the resort’s 100 feet of beach reserved exclusively for guests, making it the largest private beach on Key West. Here, you’ll find Barefoot Billy’s Beach Rentals, where kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, jet-ski, small watercraft, scooters, and bicycles are available for rent.

After lounging all day on the resort’s private beach, treat yourself to a signature treatment at Spa Al Maré. You can even level up your spa time by booking your session at one of the beach cabanas.

This Key West resort also exceeds expectations when it comes to culinary experiences. Start the day with a continental breakfast at Flagler’s Ballroom (both indoor and patio seating are available), and head over to Sun Sun Beach Bar & Grill for an outdoor lunch with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Casa Marina has a great location close to Key West’s Old Town. When staying at this luscious resort, guests are within a short walk of top attractions like Duval Street, The Hemingway Home and Museum, the Key West Cemetery, and The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

Address: 1500 Reynolds St, Key West, FL

Top Amenities: Fitness center, on-site restaurants, pet-friendly rooms, private sandy beach area, on-site spa, outdoor swimming pools

Recommended Read: The 6 Best Key West Hotels

Pier House Resort & Spa

Photo Credit: Pier House Resort & Spa

Built-in 1967 as a small 50-room motel, Pier House Resort & Spa grew to become one of Key West’s most sought-after resorts, having hosted a number of prestigious guests like British Prime Minister Edward Heath and various Rockefellers, Mellons, and Vanderbilts throughout the years.

The resort has a prime location close to major Key West attractions (Mallory Square, Key West Aquarium, and Harry S. Truman Little White House are just a few blocks away), and plays host to 119 guest rooms and 23 suites. All accommodations come with large tiled bathrooms, rain-style showers, custom furniture, local art, and a connection to the waterfront.

When staying at this peaceful island retreat, be sure to spend a few hours in their full-service spa, which offers a variety of restorative body treatments, facials, and massages. Be sure to try their deep-tissue massage, designed to relieve deep tension in the muscles.

In this island oasis, guests will also be able to swim in a sparkling pool surrounded by palm trees, lounge on a private sandy beach, or work out in the ultra-modern fitness center.

Pier House Resort & Spa has a variety of enticing dining options as well. Highlights here include the oceanfront One Duval, whose ingredient-focused menu continuously changes, and the casual beachside Pier House Resort’s Beach Bar.

Make sure to also check out the Chart Room Bar, often regarded as one of Key West’s greatest hidden treasures. The bar serves a variety of cocktails and is best known for having welcomed famous guests like Mel Fisher and Jimmy Buffett.

Address: 1 Duval St, Naval Air Station Key West, FL

Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, poolside bar, private beach, complimentary internet (Wi-Fi & Wired), fitness center, dry cleaning service, express check-in/check-out, meeting space

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Photo Credit: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Located on a private island just off the idyllic Florida Keys coastline, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is beautifully dotted with palm trees, crushed seashell paths, and exotic wildlife, making it a prime getaway for couples.

This adults-only resort offers guests the opportunity to stay in bungalow-style suites, many with private oceanfront verandas. Each accommodation is smothered with luxe amenities such as materials, and high-class amenities like air conditioning, and free wi-fi. Some even come with indoor and outdoor showers, and an exclusive sand beach with a fire pit.

Activities at the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa include sipping on tropical cocktails by the crystal clear outdoor pool, sunbathing on the resort’s private beach with sugar white sand and turquoise water, and indulging in restoring treatments in SpaTerre. Try their signature “Four Hands Massage”, and CBD treatments using luxurious macadamia nut oil and organic vanilla.

Water sports like kayaking tours in the island’s crystal clear waters, snorkeling, and scuba diving are the perfect way of adding some adventure to your stay at Playa Largo Resort & Spa.

Address: 28500 Overseas Hwy, Little Torch Key, FL

Top Amenities: Outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, private beach, air conditioning, welcome cocktail, paddleboards, and kayaks, on-site spa

Isla Bella Beach Resort

Photo Credit: Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa

The Isla Bella Beach Resort is a veritable oasis in the heart of the Florida Keys. Situated at the threshold of the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, in Marathon Key, this lush resort has 199 rooms and suites, including 108 guestrooms, including 92 spacious suites.

All of the rooms are outfitted with a 49″ LCD smart tv, plush bed linens, complimentary WiFi, and Molton Brown bath products. Some even have breezy private balconies with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Set within 24 acres of lush tropical gardens and nearly one mile of private beach, the Isla Bella Beach Resort has 5 glittering oceanfront pools including a 4,500-square-foot pool, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an ultra-modern conference center that can accommodate up to 300 people.

Guests will love the resort’s full-service marina, which offers fishing charters, jet ski tours, harbor cruises, kayak, snorkeling, and scuba diving trips.

Foodies will be happily surrounded by lip-smacking dining options, including a Polynesian-inspired restaurant serving the perfect mix of Pacific Rim cuisine with freshly-caught Keys seafood. There’s also a beach bar, and poolside food and beverage service.

The centerpiece of the resort is definitely The Spa at Isla Bella, where guests can indulge in an array of restoring treatments. Book the “From Earth to Heaven Massage”, a 2-hour treatment that features a luxurious body wrap, a hot stone and bamboo massage, a foot scrub, and a facial mask.

Address: 1 Knights Key Blvd, Marathon, FL

Top Amenities: Full-service spa, private marina, swimming pools, on-site restaurants, fitness center, beach bar

Playa Largo Resort

Photo Credit: Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection

Playa Largo Resort & Spa perfectly encapsulated pure elegance and serenity. Located right off the Overseas Highway and neighboring the alluring John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the resort has 177 rooms, suites, bungalows, and a beach house, all inspired by the Ameri-Caribbean aesthetics.

The luxe accommodations welcome guests with spectacular vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, as well as a selection of amenities like smart TVs with cinema effects, plush mattresses, iPad, and free Wi-Fi, to name a few.

Gloriously nestled on 14.5 acres of secluded shoreline, the resort has an inviting swimming pool, a private beach lined with towering palm trees, and a decked-out spa specializing in massages, body scrubs, and restoring treatments. Their hydrating facials, detoxifying body wraps, and personalized skincare will certainly leave you replenished.

Guests can also enjoy ceviche and sushi at Las Olas, one of Playa Largo’s four on-site restaurants, and experience the watersports adventures organized by the resort. Snorkeling at the coral reef, guided kayak tours through the island, scuba diving, and parasailing are some of the activities on offer here.

Address: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL

Top Amenities: Full-service spa, swimming pool, on-site restaurant, events space, fitness center

Hawks Cay Resort

Photo Credit: Hawks Cay Resort

Located on the secluded island of Duck Key, sandwiched between Miami and Key West, the dreamy Hawks Cay Resort is a lush retreat surrounded by aquamarine waters and tropical vegetation.

The resort has 177 rooms and suites, all artfully crafted in Caribbean island decor, have private lanais, and offer scenic views of resort grounds.

Hawks Cay Resort’s allure goes way beyond the spacious and breezy guest rooms. The resort flaunts five swimming pools (including one reserved for guests 21+) and a saltwater lagoon where guests can snorkel while dolphins frolic nearby.

The award-winning Calm Waters Spa offers relaxing spa treatments and therapies that utilize the natural ingredients and aromas of the islands, as well as a private marina offering snorkeling, scuba diving, and scenic sunset cruise trips.

When it’s time to dine, stop by the Sixty-One Prime restaurant to sample a juicy steak and fresh seafood paired with a fabulous selection of wines.

Address: 61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL

Top Amenities: Outdoor swimming pools, on-site restaurants, private cabanas, private marina, saltwater lagoon, private beach, water sports activities, full-service spa, fitness center

Southernmost Beach Resort

Photo Credit: Southernmost Beach Resort

The Southernmost Beach Resort is a fabulous place to base yourself in Key West. Located in the historic Old Town, a few steps away from the lively Duval Street, this recently renovated resort radiates elegance and serenity.

Set among verdant gardens, the resort boasts amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, contemporary coastal design, and luxurious rooms and suites with airy private balconies. All accommodations come with a coffee machine, mini fridge, and plush robes.

Replenish body and mind by enjoying a hot stone massage at the resort’s oceanfront spa, sip on freshly made cocktails by one of the three outdoor pools, and sample Caribbean-inspired dishes in the Southernmost Beach Café.

Guests will also be treated to high-class amenities such as multilingual guest services staff, 24-hour front desk, bell service, and pre-check-in luggage storage, to name a few.

Address: 1319 Duval St, Key West, FL

Top Amenities: Outdoor pools, private cabanas, award-winning spas, 24-hour front desk, conference/meeting, onsite wedding, and special event coordinator

FAQ

Is it better to stay in Key Largo or Islamorada?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re seeking a laidback atmosphere, stay in Islamorada. But in case you want a vibrant and butling vibe, stay in Key Largo.

Is it better to stay in Key West or Key Largo?

Both are amazing places. Key West is best known for its small-town charm and historical sites, while Key Largo draws travelers thanks to its immense natural beauty.