New and Enhanced Resorts Await Travelers to the Florida Keys

By Laura Myers

The Florida Keys & Key West are unveiling 1,500 “new” rooms this summer, showcasing all-new and fully refurbished resorts — and its first “luxury-inclusive” resort — in coming weeks.

“The Florida Keys & Key West are seeing a resurgence in demand,” said Jim DeKeyrel, director of sales for the island destination. “Resorts are making an amazing rebound since last fall.”

Major large resorts with stunning renovations include Hawks Cay Resort and Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa.

Eighty-six percent of all lodging units are open after Hurricane Irma passed through the island chain last fall, with Key West and Key Largo least affected.

Major Keys properties, new or reopening, include:

Key Largo

The 12-acre new “luxury inclusive” adults-only 135-unit Bungalows Key Largo is scheduled to open in May at 99010 Overseas Highway, mile marker 99 bayside, with a “Florida chic” design. Bungalows will average 800 square feet and have private outdoor plunge pools or tubs. The property features several restaurants and bars and 1,000 feet of shoreline. Rates are to include lodging, food, premium beverages, activities and water toys. Visit BungalowsKeyLargo.com.

The 60-acre, Ocean Pointe Suites at Key Largo continues its reopening that began March 30 with a newly restored marina and private beach and a new over-the-water gazebo for intimate weddings and events. All 170 suites, sleeping up to four or six guests, are scheduled to be reopened in June. Visit opsuites.com.           

In Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton is to unveil its 200-room Baker’s Cay Resort, scheduled to open this fall with 17,000 square feet of meeting space, amenities for pets and a beachside tequila and taco venue to feature hand-crafted hot sauces. Visit bakerscayresort.com.

Islamorada

The 27-acre, 214-unit Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa reopened March 30 with a $25 million overall redesign of its main resort lodge. The resort offers 4,600 square feet of formal indoor event space, a rebuilt 525-foot-long wooden fishing pier, 5,700-square-foot spa with seven treatments rooms, and refurbished Jack Niklaus-designed nine-hole, par three golf course. A second oceanfront pool and second Tiki bar, named South 25, are scheduled to open later this summer. Its three restaurants include Mia Cucina, a new family-friendly Italian-style Neapolitan pizzeria and pasta bistro. Visit cheeca.com. 

Islamorada Resort Co.’s four properties in the heart of Islamorada, located between mile markers 84.4 and 80, also are reopening. The 145-unit Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina is to begin reopening this month. The 63-unit Pelican Cove Resort reopened March 17. A third resort, the 6-acre 54-unit La Siesta Resort & Marina (except for its five-bedroom house) and sister property, the 110-room Amara Cay Resort, are open. Visit islamoradaresortcompany.com.

Islamorada Resort Co.’s four properties, with nearly 400 accommodations in the heart of Islamorada, also are reopening. Its 145-unit Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina is scheduled to reopen by late fall. The company’s other three Islamorada properties, including the 63-unit Pelican Cove Resort, the 6-acre 54-unit La Siesta Resort & Marina and 110-room Amara Cay Resort are open.  Visit IslanderFloridaKeys.com.

Islander Bayside Resort is open with 25 two-story, two-bedroom townhomes. Nearby, the iconic 25-acre oceanside Islander Resort is to reopen this fall with an all-new design and culinary concepts. Visit IslanderFloridaKeys.com.

In Islamorada, a 70-room, 5-acre Fisher Inn Resort & Marina and the boutique Hadley House Resort are in development as new properties, just two miles apart, in Islamorada. The oceanfront properties are targeting an opening later this year with a sleek, modern interior design. Visit fisherinnresort.com and hadleyhouseresort.com.

Middle and Lower Keys        

On Duck Key, the 60-acre Hawks Cay Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond Award-rated and Preferred Hotel Group Lifestyle Collection member, partially reopened in mid-March with 100 villas and its Calm Waters Spa, Sunset Pool, Coral Cay kids’ activities center and Angler and Ale restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its dolphin program is open. The main hotel, with 177 guestrooms, saltwater lagoon, three pools and three restaurants, is to reopen this summer. Meetings are to resume Sept. 1.  Visit hawkscay.com.

In Marathon, a new full-service 80-room Hampton Inn Marathon is scheduled to open June 21 under the Hilton Portfolio of Brands with a pool, Tiki bar, 24-hour fitness center and live entertainment. Visit hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/h otels/florida/hampton-inn-marathon-florida-keys-MTHFKHX/index.html.

In Marathon near the Seven Mile Bridge, The Singh Group’s Pritam Singh is to open an all-new 24-acre, oceanside 199-unit resort, Isla Bella Beach Resort, with several restaurants, pools and marina with dockage by early 2019. Visit islabellabeachresort.com.

On Little Torch Key, Parmer’s Resort is fully open with 44 units, including two cottages and a new 90-foot-long beach. Guests also can enjoy the property’s kayaks and paddleboards. The property is located at 565 Barry Ave., mile marker 28.5. Visit ParmersResort.com

Key West        

In Key West, the 106-room Havana Cabana resort, formerly The Inn at Key West, reopened April 9, evoking nostalgia of Havana in the 1950s. Rooms are centered around a 104,000-gallon pool billed as Key West’s largest. The hotel serves a Cuban-inspired menu from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with fare such as cafe con leche, croquetas and Cuban sandwiches. A Mojitos Pool Bar serves 25 versions of rum cocktails. Onsite, the OurKeyWest Concierge offers guests a one-day trip to Havana, Cuba, priced from $995 per person with valid passport. Visit havanacabanakeywesthotel.com.

The 148-unit Parrot Key Resort in Key West is scheduled to reopen by late fall with a new interior design that includes crisp white walls, accented with soothing blues and natural textured linens. Parrot Key is to offer four pools and a new dining concept with poolside al fresco dining. The resort is targeting couples, families or groups traveling together for celebrations.  Visit parrotkeyresort.com.

In Key West, the property currently known as Key West Bayside Inn & Suites, located at 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd., is undergoing full renovations, scheduled to reopen as The Laureate, an Opal Collection member.

Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS

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