The Florida Keys Resorts are Back!

It sure is amazing what one year can mean to the life of a community.  Since Hurricane Irma last September, the community’s spirit in the Florida Keys has truly flourished, ensuring the recovery not only of our beautiful Florida Keys vacation homes but also of our hearts.

Paradise is looking better every day in the Florida Keys. Hawks Cay is a shining example of the Keys bouncing back with gusto. This landmark oceanfront resort on Duck Key reopened on Labor Day weekend with a $50 million luxury renovation having been completed.  The renovation included upgrades to 177 rooms and six restaurants to usher guests onto the gorgeous water in style. The full service marina and water sports will be reopening soon. An increased staff will be in place for the high season to ensure impeccable hospitality and service.  The resort’s managing director told The Miami Herald that Hawks Cay would maintain its old feel while its new modern design would make the resort contemporary.

For all of us who love visiting the Keys, as well as for any newcomers exploring Islamorada real estate, it’s truly healing to see Hawks Cay and another 11 or so best Florida Key resorts bounce back even better than before. Here are a handful of resorts to choose from while you’re searching for your island vacation home:

• HAWKS CAY RESORT DUCK KEY; 61 Hawks Cay Boulevard, Duck Key, FL 33050; 888-395-5539

For a Caribbean Island feel with a relaxed pace—this is one awesome place to unwind and still have the updated amenities we all crave.  Kick back under the fronds of a shady palm tree, plunge into the blue-green water, experience the unforgettable Dolphin Connection, and then treat yourself to a gourmet dinner and a refreshing cocktail before heading back to your private balcony.  Hawks Cay Resorts will no doubt become your go-to vacation spot.

For kids and teens, Camp Hawk Environmental Educational Program--kids can learn about dolphins, the Everglades, space, coral reefs, as well as creatures of Florida; Camp Hawk offers the Pirate Academy and many other enchanting afternoons.

For folks of all ages, this is the sports fishing mecca! Tarpon, Cobia, Bonefish, Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Black fin Tuna—you will find them swimming in these azure-colored waters.  For the non-fishers, there is plenty else to enjoy--diving, kite boarding, shopping, spa treatments and more.

Rooms, suites and villas are available to accommodate all your vacation needs for space, upscale amenities, and scenic ocean views.

• CHEECA LODGE ISLAMORADA; 81801 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036; 305-712-7166

This paradise resort has been adored by vacationers for nearly a century.  Cheeca Lodge is eager to welcome back all their loyal guests as well as open their doors to newcomers. Unwind on Cheeca’s 1,100 ft. palm-treed private beach, fish off their pier, dock your boat, float in their heated pools, heal and rejuvenate at their spa, work out in the fitness studio, take in a day of refreshing watersports and more...or less…if you want to simply sit back and chill at the awesome tiki bar while your kids or grandkids are celebrating life at Camp Cheeca!

Other vacation activities:  tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, golf, biking, gaming, Yoga, and make sure you take part in their fishing charters and tournaments-- Cheeca Lodge’s own Presidential Sailfish Tournament held each January, and the Annual Cheeca Lodge All American Backcountry Tournament.

Cheeca Lodge can take care of your vacation in true Keys’ style with rooms, suites, and bungalows for all your needs and desires.

• MOORINGS VILLAGE - ISLAMORADA ; 123 BEACH ROAD, ISLAMORADA, FL; 305-664-4708

Moorings Village is seeped in rich Keys’ history, with its beachy roots going back to 1935 when the original resort was built as aprivate estate with a Main House and a few guest houses as accompaniments.  Throughout the decades, the luxurious resort on the Atlantic Ocean has grown but maintained its original style with tasteful additions like Blue Charlotte, built in 1996 but harkening back to nostalgic time and place. The Moorings philosophy is “Preserving the original elements of The Florida Keys way of life.” Do you remember the Rayburn House in the Netflix smash hit “Bloodline”? The Moorings is where this suspense thriller was filmed.

This tropical paradise is nestled in an 18-acre oasis on Islamorada with nearly 20 private villas on the lush estate, it’s possible to vacation there and feel the sense of true relaxation.

The Moorings offers 1,100 ft. of natural white sand beach, a 25-meter lap pool that is kept at the ideal temperature year round; a Tesla-charging station; tennis court; hammocks for your blissful R&R, and a fine concierge service.

One, two and three bedroom oceanfront villas are fully furnished with incredible amenities.

• TRANQUILITY BAY MARATHON; 2600 Overseas Highway, Marathon FL 3305; 305-289-0888

Tranquility Bay on the Gulf side has a welcoming heart and considers their guests true friends.  This is one of Marathon’s best-rated resorts with a private beach, three swimming pools, gorgeous beach houses and tropical garden guest rooms. Original artwork adds individual charm to your stay. There’s plenty to do unless you want to do nothing at all. From world-class diving, to snorkeling, adventure fishing and a wide array of water sports.

The philosophy at Tranquility Bay Resort is unplugging and settling into their little “peace” of paradise with an authentic Keys’ experience—nature at its best with those you love. Here with over 1000 ft. of shoreline, 2.5 acres of private, sandy beach and a shallow swimming lagoon, spa, fitness room, putting green, tiki bar and rooms with garden and ocean views to soothe your senses. So as they say at Tranquility Bay, “Don’t let a moment pass you by.”

Elegantly furnished guest rooms and beach houses will suit your every Keys’ fancy.

• ISLA BELLA BEACH RESORT; One Knights Key, MM 47, Marathon, FL 33050; 844-752-2352; will be opening in March 2019

Isla Bella Resort will be a fabulous addition to the Keys; “A beautiful sanctuary tucked away from the outside world.” Isla Bella is creating “the first and last luxury beach resort of its kind in the Florida Keys.” Cradled in the middle of the Keys, near the famous seven-mile bridge, this soon-to-be vacation getaway has a mile of water front, a sweet sandy beach, 5 oceanfront pools, a marina with water sports galore, and a state-of-the-art spacious spa and fitness center.

Dining options will take care of every guest’s appetite; an extraordinary Neapolitan Italian restaurant, Il Postino; the Beach Bar; the Burger Place and Manatee Bay Marketplace. Whether you care to be casual by the pool, or get your glam on with your sweetie for a romantic night out, you will soon find it all here at Isla Bella with a gracious staff to pamper you.    

Rooms, suites and all the accommodations have been designed with the gorgeous blue-green water of the Keys in mind. Outdoor living areas will connect guests to the ocean where you can bask in the glow of sunrise or sunset.

There’s a special magic and charm to owning Florida Keys vacation homes. No wonder so many folks choose the Keys for their coveted down time. Many visit the Keys and never want to leave after exploring Islamorada real estate. Step out of your busy life and onto the sandy shores of the Keys and the reasons will be as crystal clear as the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic Ocean that embrace the region. The Florida Keys’ appeal is as diverse as it’s landscape.  From it’s plentiful coral reefs, to its pristine forests, many folks feel the allure.

The Keys hold some of the most protected lands not only in the US but world wide which gives this region a nostalgic air. Uninhabited islands are an amazing sight to behold, transporting visitors back to a time of discovery. The clear waters are home to sanctuaries and provide endless opportunities to those who stay at the best Florida Key resorts who adore fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, or simply chilling on a boat with a cold beverage in hand. Whether you prefer the tides of the Gulf Stream, or the Atlantic…you have a warm place to dip your toes while being refreshed by a cool breeze.

The Keys are a low-key spot to grab a little R & R—without crowds, traffic, and all the noise that accompanies them. These are some of the most obvious draws to check out Islamorada real estate and why visitors often end up purchasing a vacation home after a week or two of enjoying life on the Keys. Visiting the best Florida Key resorts reminds us that a tropical vacation is possible without ever leaving the US or having to deal with the fuss and hassle of international traveling.

For so many of us who’ve had the chance to kick back and relax in the Keys, there’s no decision to be made—owning your own oceanfront home, or low maintenance town home, becomes the obvious next step.  No wonder nearly 80% of the homes in the Florida Keys are vacation rentals and second homes. Not only will your vacation home be a source of endless joy for your entire family, a place to gather and celebrate life, but you will also have created a source of income that can help offset expenses. Depending on the size of your home and the season, grateful visitors will be all too willing to rent your gem for a week.

Florida Keys vacation homes are popular to folks both in the US and abroad.  And it’s no wonder as the Keys are an idyllic natural playground for adults from its tropical forests, to its dolphin research center, to its rich history and striking architecture. Come and visit the Keys and see why families return to this magical destination year after year.

If you’re exploring Islamorada real estate or homes in the Middle Keys, ask for our complimentary Florida Keys relocation information to you help learn more about the area or call 305.859.4906.

It’s our pleasure to help!