All-New Resorts Unveiled for Florida Keys Visitors

By Laura Myers 

Florida Keys — Throughout the Florida Keys this spring, sleekly contemporary new resorts appeal to singles, couples, families with members of all ages, and groups traveling for reunions, meetings, weddings or other occasions.

A variety of new and fully upgraded resorts can be discovered just off the famed Overseas Highway, nestled among longtime favorite attractions, waterfront dock-to-table restaurants, unique shops, art galleries and scenic park beaches.

Among properties’ appealing new amenities are Tiki bar sunset cruises, pet-friendly activities and doggie treats, a family splash pad, adults-only pools and intimate outdoor gathering spots complete with cozy fire pits.

The Keys’ newest property is the Middle Keys’ 24-acre, 199-unit oceanfront Isla Bella Beach Resort at the Seven Mile Bridge. Scheduled to open in April at mile marker 47, Isla Bella Beach Resort includes a 4,000-square-foot Il Mare Spa, five pools and four restaurants: Il Postino, an oceanfront Neapolitan-style Italian restaurant; The Beach Bar; The Burger Palace; and Manatee Bay Marketplace, a waterfront cafe with shopping.

Also featured are a 1,000-square-foot fitness center, marina, 24,000 square feet of meeting and event space, bocce, croquet, oversized chess, fire pits, complimentary bicycles, watersports and guided fishing expeditions. Visit islabellabeachresort.com or call 844-885-4706.

In Key Largo, the all-new 200-room, 13-acre Baker’s Cay Resort has opened at mile marker 97 bayside as the Keys’ only Curio Collection by Hilton.

Pets can explore a private beach and swim in Florida Bay during Paw Happy Hour. “Puptails” include bacon-flavored “yappetizers,” Cay-9 Kibble and Catch of the Day entrees, ice cream bones and Dog Perignon Champagne (filtered water with wild Alaskan salmon oil). Meanwhile, Fido’s parents can indulge at a beachside tequila and taco bar with house-made hot sauces crafted from peppers grown on the property. Visit bakerscayresort.com or call 305-852-5553.

Also In Key Largo, the Keys’ first-ever “all-inclusive” resort — the adults-only 12-acre, 135-unit Bungalows Key Largo — opened in late December.

Located at mile marker 99 bayside, the property features 1,000 feet of shoreline, the Zen Garden Spa, two in-ground pools, a fitness Tiki hut, three piers for 40-foot-long boats, 800-square-foot individual bungalows and 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Rates include lodging, golf cart pickup and drop-off, food at four venues and premium beverages, resort amenities, water toys and activities such as morning yoga, cooking and mixology classes, sunset happy hours, fish fries and pig roasts. Visit BungalowsKeyLargo.com or call 866-801-0195.

In Islamorada, the 25-acre oceanfront, 114-room Islander Resort reopened in December as a greenhotels.com member with refurbished cottage-style units and screened-in lanais. Islander offers 138 guest rooms and suites and 25 two-story, two-bedroom bayside townhome units. The resort has a new family splash pad, a new 6,000-square-foot Great Lawn, 110,000 square feet of beachfront event space, on-site snorkeling trips, sunset sails, two oceanfront pools and a hot tub, and massage and wellness services. There’s a poolside Tides Beachside Bar & Grill and Elements Lounge & Restaurant, to open in April. Visit islanderfloridakeys.com or call 800-753-6002.

The 60-acre Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, sporting a $50 million renovation, is part of The Preferred Hotel Group Lifestyle Collection and a AAA Four Diamond Award–rated resort with 250 two- and three-bedroom villas and 177 guest rooms. Resort activities include sunrise yoga, swimming with resident bottlenose dolphins, fishing excursions and sunset cruises. Dining venues include Angler and Ale restaurant, Sixty-one Prime and Hawks Cay Marketplace. A new adults-only pool area features a grill and specialty drinks. Visit hawkscayresort.com or call 888-395-5539.

In Key West, two properties along North Roosevelt Boulevard showcase a new look.

The five-acre Parrot Key Hotel & Villas at 2801 N. Roosevelt Blvd. has completed a $25 million renovation and offers 148 rooms, waterfront villas and The Grove Kitchen & Bar. Room styles include a 375-square-foot standard, 675-square-foot one-bedroom and 925-square-foot two-bedroom suite. Villas are 1,525 square feet. Attractions include four pools and watersports activities. A new Waterfront Experience in 34 units features a one-hour early check-in and check-out extension, beach bag with flip flops, two towels, sunscreen, bottled water, yoga mats, sand pails and two reserved beachfront lounge chairs. Visit parrotkeyhotel.com or call 888-665-6368.

The 64-unit all-suite Laureate Key West, located at 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd., has spacious suites with full kitchenettes and work desk. A large complimentary pool cabana is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit thelaureatekeywest.com or call 800-932-9332.

Florida Keys accommodations information: fla-keys.com/places-to-stay/

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