The Florida Keys are divided into three areas: the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. Together they span 112 miles of coastal islands, which are connected by 42 bridges. Situated in the Middle Keys, on Duck Key island, Hawks Cay Resort offers its visitors a taste of everything that the Florida Keys have to offer. It is idyllic for guests who want the chance to experience a bit of everything.

What many people don't realize is that you can travel the length of the Keys, from Key Largo down to Key West, in just under 3 hours. Each of the Florida Keys offers a unique adventure or area of focus, be it relaxation, fun, nightlife, fishing, or just relaxing. Choosing the Key and resort that is best for your stay is probably the only truly difficult choice you will find when visiting the Florida Keys.

Comparison Table

Product

Image

Website

Hawks Cay Resort

girl having fun

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Oceans Edge Key West Hotel & Marina

Oceans Edge View

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Southernmost Beach Resort

the father and daughter walking in the beach

Image via: Pixabay

Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Cheeca Lodge view

Image via: Unsplash

Exploring the Florida Keys

pool palm trees

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The Florida Keys are a destination unto themselves. You can enjoy a tropical, Caribbean-like climate; shimmery blue-green, crystal-clear waters; lush, palm tree-lined shores, and so much more. Visitors to the Keys are surrounded by mangroves, sandbar islands, breathtaking sunsets, the Florida Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico.

As an interconnected island chain, the Florida Keys are made up of over 1,000 individual islands, with about 30 being inhabited. Boasting the only living coral reef in the United States, the Florida Keys are a diver's paradise. Guests in the Florida Keys can experience ocean dives or snorkeling trips to iconic sites and shipwrecks.

For more sport and adventure, you can kayak through mangrove forests or secluded islands and nature preserves, participate in a vast variety of water sports, or take advantage of the world-renowned deep sea fishing opportunities. The Florida Keys are a sport fisherman's paradise, with offshore fishing, reef fishing, and backcountry fishing excursions and charters readily available. Blu Marlin, Mahi Mahi, shark, grouper, snook, tarpon, snapper, and bonefish are just a few of the fish species common in the Keys.

Hawks Cay Resort is a luxury resort located on Duck Key, a community-style island. It is a 60-acre resort offering its guests upscale amenities, experiences and excursion opportunities, along with other activities, both adult- and kid-friendly. You can choose to swim with the resort's resident dolphins, participate in water sports, or charter a fishing excursion. Whether you are looking for a relaxing Florida Keys getaway or an action-packed family adventure, Hawks Cay Resort is a leading destination in this island paradise.

Resort Facilities & Details

Priding itself on luxury and an ultimate experience, Hawks Cay Resort meets its guests' need with superior services and features such as

  • 117 Caribbean-themed guest rooms and villas with upscale amenities
  • 8 on-site restaurants and bars, one of which will cook your own catch to your liking
  • 5 resort style pools and a saltwater lagoon
  • An adults-only tranquility pool and a pirate ship themed pool for younger guests
  • Private, resort marina
  • Revitalizing and award-winning Calm Waters Spa
  • Fitness center
  • Oceanfront meeting space for weddings and special events

Pricing

luxury resort

Image Source: Pixabay

Pricing for a stay at Hawks Cay Resort will vary, depending on the room or villa you choose and when, exactly, you plan to escape to the Florida Keys. Typically, prices will fluctuate with peak and off-peak seasons. On average, off-peak season rates may run about $200 per night for a standard guest room. During peak season, you may see prices around $600 per night for that same guestroom, however. Contacting Hawks Cay Resort directly will always get you an accurate rate for your intended stay.

How It Compares

 We picked a few similar resorts in the area to see how they compare to Hawks Cay Resort.

  • Oceans Edge Key West Hotel & Marina
  • Southernmost Beach Resort
  • Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Hawks Cay Resort

girl having fun

Image via: Unsplash

Price

Hawks Cay Resort's room rates include access to all of their onsite amenities. This resort in the Keys also offers military discounts and many money-saving package discounts.

Rooms

All guest rooms and villas at Hawks Cay Resort offer upscale amenities like Keurig coffee makers, LCD televisions with premium channels, a refrigerator and room service, premium bedding, and free toiletries. Some room styles and villas also offer private balconies and furnished lanais with water views or vistas of the lush, tropical grounds.

Service

At Hawks Cay Resort, the dedicated staff prides itself on having the knowledge, experience, and aptitude to fulfill guests' diverse needs and desires. Staff members in each area are specifically trained for their tasks, including the marina staff available to assist guests with all of their water-related needs.

Amenities

Guests at this resort can experience everything from swimming in one of the five pools or the salt water lagoon to water sports such as scuba diving, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, and fishing charters. You can enjoy spa treatments, a workout in the fitness center, and eating in restaurants ranging from laid-back, ocean-side dining spots to luxurious, upscale, fine dining venues.

Value

Hawks Cay Resort offers its guests extensive value across the spectrum of what the Florida Keys has to offer, all in one location. There is no need to leave the spacious grounds unless you want to go exploring the world outside and around Hawks Cay Resort.

Location

Located in the Middle Keys, on Duck Key island, the Hawks Cay Resort has an optimal location. Guests can travel in either direction to experience the other Florida Keys. Whether a guest is looking to visit Key Largo for its nature preserves and parks or head to Key West for a day rich in history, this luxury spot puts you in the heart of the Florida Keys.

Pros

  • 8 restaurants on-site, plus room service
  • Activities for both adults and younger guests
  • 5 resort-style pools and a saltwater lagoon
  • Private marina with charters and excursions offered
  • Spa and fitness center
  • Water sports, including kayaking and paddle boarding

Cons

  • Not all activities are included in room rates or package deals
  • High peak-season cost

Oceans Edge Key West Hotel & Marina

Oceans Edge View

Image via: Unsplash


Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina is one of Key West's newest and largest luxury spots. All rooms have ocean views, and guests have access to 6 amazing, resort-style pools plus an open-air restaurant and bar. The Oceans Edge Key West puts the luxury on in layers from the dense, tropical landscaping of the property to spacious suites with ocean views. Many water activities are offered due to this spot's convenient dockside access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Price

Like any vacation destination, hotel rates will vary upon room style selected and if you are planning your stay at off-peak times, or during the peak season. At Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina, during off-peak season, you can expect to pay, for standard rooms, approximately $200 per night. On the flip-side, during peak season, room rates can run approximately $800 or more per night.

Rooms

All rooms at Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina include complimentary WiFi and shuttle service to downtown Key West. Guests have ready access to paddle boards, kayaks, bicycles, the 24-hour fitness center, poolside loungers and towels, concierge service, local calls, and in-room bottled water, coffee and tea.

Service

While this resort hotel has a dedicated staff to make your stay as pleasant as possible, they also use a digital concierge so that guests are always in control of their own bookings and other plans.

Amenities

Oceans Edge Key West Hotel and Marina offers amazing ocean views from all rooms. Guests enjoy scenic harbor walks, 6 resort style pools, a gorgeous marina, and much more. Access to other on-site amenities such as meals and bar drinks, and various activities and excursions, are all available for additional charges.

Value

We found the overall value to guests of this resort very limited given the many costs. Aside from the pools, kayaks and paddle boards, and the shuttle to downtown Key West, guests pay extra for everything, including $20 per day to park on hotel property. During off-peak season, the value for these minimal amenities is fair. However, during peak season, the cost of the hotel stay does not offer guests much in return for this high-end choice.

Location

Oceans Edge facilities are located at the far end of Key West's most popular attractions. This resort is in a remote area of the island and there isn't much right near the hotel. Guests must either take advantage of the limited shuttle buses or pay out of pocket for taxi service to get around.

Pros

  • All rooms have ocean views
  • Low cost for luxury experience during off-peak season
  • 6 resort style pools

Cons

  • Very remote location
  • Limited amenities and activities included with stay
  • Higher peak-season rates than comparable options

Southernmost Beach Resort

the father and daughter walking in the beach

Image via: Pixabay

Southernmost Beach Resort, located in Key West, Florida, spans a secluded stretch of the island, giving guests feelings of serenity and privacy while still being just a short walk away from the excitement of Key West's eclectic shops, dining, and the famous Duval Street nightlife. Guests staying at this spot will love the white sandy beach, 3 sparkling pools, 4 tropically inspired bars, and dense, luscious gardens. This resort provides all guests with luxurious amenities, activities, and many entertainment options.

Price

Rates vary and fluctuate as with any hotel in such a highly sought-after vacation destination. The Southernmost Beach Resort has a truly prime location, and room rates are heavily influenced by whether you travel during peak or off-peak season. During off-peak seasons, standard guestrooms are approximately $270 per night. During peak season, guests can expect to pay around $800 per night for that same room. Southernmost Beach Resort does offer guests various special vacation packages and discounts. Contacting the resort directly will help you find the right choice.

Rooms

This resort hotel offers guest rooms with ocean views, garden views, and pool views. All guest rooms come equipped with industry-standard amenities such as mini-refrigerators, hair dryers, ironing boards, coffeemakers, and bottled water. Guests in all rooms are provided with high-end, pampering bath and shower products. Additional charges accrue if guests use hotel services such as laundry.

Service

Southernmost Beach Resort has a dedicated concierge staff to help guests plan and live the vacation of a lifetime. Staff members will arrange outstanding activities, tours, and adventures in Key West and throughout the Keys. Southernmost Beach Resort also has an on-site wedding and event coordinator.

Amenities

The appeal of Southernmost Beach Resort is more about accessibility and location than its on-site amenities. The resort offers spa treatments, a fitness center and classes, plus a restaurant and 3 bars. Guests are welcome to enjoy poolside dining and entertainment.

Value

Based solely on cost versus on-site amenities, Southernmost Beach Resort falls short of some other options we evaluated. However, this is a prime location for guests to access all of what Key West has to offer, and the hotel staff is dedicated to assisting guests in making great decisions during their stays.

Location

Southernmost Beach Resort could not be in a more perfect location. Guests staying here have easy access to all that is available in Key West. You'll be a short walk from great shops, art galleries, eclectic restaurants, and non-stop nightlife. Encompassing over two city blocks, this resort offers guest rooms located within an easy stroll of both the beach and Duval Street.

Pros

  • Perfect location to explore Key West
  • Low cost for luxury experience during off-peak season
  • Warm, inviting island structures and grounds

Cons

  • High peak-season rates
  • Limited activities included with stay
  • On-site parking has an additional cost

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

Cheeca Lodge view

Image via: Unsplash

Located in the self-designated sportfishing capital of the world, Cheeca Lodge is one of Islamorada's most romantic, serene, and dynamic luxury resorts. Cheeca Lodge balances an astonishing level of luxury with what Islamorada is so well known for: fishing.

Guests staying at this resort have access to on-site activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing (with the required license included) from their private piers, and even electronic gaming. Guest rooms are spacious and lavish in their amenities. Cheeca Lodge offers its guest 3 restaurant choices and an open air tiki bar overlooking the Atlantic. With two heated swimming pools, a saltwater lagoon, fitness center, golf course, and spa classes, there is no shortage of activity choices at Cheeca Lodge.

Price

Due to changing prices with changing seasons, it is always best to call the Cheeca Lodge directly for accurate rates. Standard room rates run guests approximately $250 per night off season but up to $1,000 during peak season. This facility does offer guests specials and vacation packages.

Rooms

Rooms at Cheeca Lodge are elegant yet casual, offering guests an inviting place to spend downtime. All rooms offer either resort and golf course views, ocean views, or lagoon views. Room amenities include in-room coffee, tea, and bottled water.

Service

Cheeca Lodge has dedicated and knowledgeable staff members to assist guests in planning their vacation excursions and activities.

Amenities

Cheeca Lodge makes the effort to meet every guest's recreational needs. This lodge has a private pier with rods and licenses for guests, two heated swimming pools (one is adults-only), full service cabanas, a spa and fitness center, 6 lighted sports courts (for tennis, basketball, and pickleball), a 9-hole golf course, a gaming center, and concierge service to arrange other activities.

Value

Cheeca Lodge offers its guests a fair value for what amenities are available on-site, and the knowledge of their concierge staff.

Location

Located in Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge is near the center of the Florida Keys. This location is perfect for those who want to be able to explore the full length of the Florida Keys while on vacation.

Pros

  • Private fishing pier access and license included with stay
  • Activities to fit a wide array of guest needs
  • Oceanside property with plenty of access

Cons

  • High peak-season rates
  • Many activities are off-site and must be arranged by a concierge with additional costs
  • Meals not included

Conclusion

relaxing loungers poolside

Image Source: Pixabay

Hawks Cay Resort, on Duck Key, scored a maximum rating of 5 out of 5 stars with our reviewers, This resort surpasses the typical levels of luxury offered to guests in the Florida Keys at competitive rates. The location of Hawks Cay Resort is perfect because it is centrally located within the Florida Keys chain. Guests staying here, on their vacation, have the option to easily and readily explore the surrounding islands on their own time.

The amenities and activities present at Hawks Cay Resort should leave no guest wanting more. Everything the Florida Keys has to offer is nearby, and this resort is as close to an all-inclusive resort as you can get for the rates available.

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