If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, a wide range of family activities like snorkeling, fishing, boating…plus spectacular room configurations that make vacationing easier, then the Florida Keys is the place to be.
We’ve been to the Florida Keys repeatedly, and have stayed in at least a dozen hotels and resorts – and these are the Florida Keys family resorts that we highly recommend.
Don’t need the details? Here’s the overview.
- Isla Bella Beach Resort is our all-time favorite for families. Great room setups and lots to do.
- Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina is a good option if you want to be closer to Key West but not in the midst of it.
- Baker’s Cay Resort is ideal in Key Largo with no-frills rooms but tons of activities, and much is included with your resort fee.
- Hawks Cay Resort is one of the most popular for families with a lagoon, villa options, and no-frill rooms with bunk beds and a kids’ club.
- Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort is an affordable option in Marathon with 2- and 3-bedroom beach houses that include full kitchens, plus one of the best restaurants in the area.
Isla Bella Beach Resort
At the top of our list is the Florida Keys resort we come back to again and again – Isla Bella Beach Resort.
Isla Bella is located in Marathon, just before you cross the 7-mile bridge. Marathon is our favorite Keys location for families because it’s close to Key West and all the attractions and celebrations there… but it’s quiet and peaceful. Not to mention, it has its own slew of fun things to do, as well.
I’m not sure if it’s the resort grounds and activities I love more, or the accommodation set-up. Let’s start with the rooms, though.
They all face the water, so you wake up to beautiful views every morning – the back balcony is the ideal place to take your coffee and check email. And listen, these views are not obstructed with other buildings or whatnot. It’s you, the sand, the palm trees and the ocean view. It’s heaven.
We’ve stayed in the same room-type on every visit. The master is in the front of the “apartment” with its own bathroom, a spacious seating area, and double doors that give you privacy from the rest of the place.
As you follow the hallway, there is another bathroom -it’s very large. And toward the back is where the kids sleep, on two queen beds. There is no sofa or lounging area (except the patio), which I like because who needs it, right? You’re in the Keys! Get outside!
There is a TV in each sleeping area, and a desk and chair if you need to get some work done. Also a fridge for saving any leftover key lime pie. (Who ever has leftovers of that?)
There are also amenities galore at this kid-friendly luxury resort. Your resort fee includes bike rental, bocce, beach yoga, extra large chess, cornhole, hammocks, a fitness center and more.
There is also a spa, multiple restaurants, a concierge to help you book excursions, and a marketplace that we visited frequently. They make fantastic lattes, and have a vast selection of breakfast and lunch options. Even enough to satisfy our picky eaters.
They also sell clothing, gifts and essentials you might need on your family vacation, and this is where you’ll pick up your bike if you want to take advantage of that.
Our favorite part of the resort is the gigantic pool. There are multiple pools, but we love the “curvy one” (as my kids call it) near Sunset Dock and the private beach. It includes a zero-entry area, ideal for little visitors, and it doesn’t get too deep.
Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina
If you want to be closer to Key West, Ocean’s Edge is the answer. It actually sits on Stock Island, but it’s just about 6 miles to downtown Key West.
And… there is a free shuttle! The shuttle is luxurious and fantastic, and it’s the perfect way to explore Key West or go into town for dinner without having to worry about parking. We used it several times!
Ocean’s Edge has a feel much like Isla Bella because it’s owned by the same company. But, instead of your balcony view being the beach… it’s the marina. Huge yachts and gorgeous boats make for an alluring background to your morning coffee.
Built by the same company as Isla Bella, the rooms give off the same vibe. Our room was configured a little differently, with a front room that served as both a lounge area and bedroom with a fold-out sofa.
The front room had two queen beds, a TV area, a small desk, and that amazing balcony with the marina view.
Amenities include 6 pools linking the marina, so there is always one near you no matter where you are staying. You also get 2 hours of free bike rental, as well.
Ocean’s Edge Cafe makes a great morning coffee, and the boys loved their chocolate croissants. And, if you want a more hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner, then try Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen.
Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo
Baker’s Cay is in Key Largo, the northernmost part of the Keys. It’s a Hilton Curio hotel, and is fantastic for families.
The rooms are more basic that the above-mentioned resorts – but it’s the amenities that makes this special!
Your resort fee includes bike rentals, beach chairs and umbrellas, fishing rods and bait, and tons of family activities on the Grand Lawn, like archery (with soft ends), corn hole, ping pong and more.
There are also water activities included, like paddleboarding and kayaking. Plus, the kids will love the pool. Don’t worry, there is a bar right there to keep you refreshed!
There is always something happening on the beach, too. When we visited, the kids were all given bags for s’mores, the staff lit multiple beach fires, and the boys roasted marshmallows before kayaking as the sun was setting.
If you’re looking for even more, there are fun experiences you can book on their website. Like jet skiing, aquacycle, tequila sampling (ok – that’s for you, not the kids…) or snorkel adventures out to nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Finally, there are multiple restaurants on site like Dry Rocks for a casual meal or the Tiki Bar right on the beach. We loved eating at Calusa, with a more upscale American menu. Don’t forget to make a reservation here.
It has a very mediterranean feel, with bright colored tiles and delicious seafood options. I got the snapper – Dan got the steak – and the boys ate from the kids menu. Of course we shared a piece of their award-winning key lime pie afterward!
Hawks Cay Resort
Hawk’s Cay on the island of Duck Key is probably one of the most popular family resorts in the Florida Keys, and for good reason.
Duck Key is north of Marathon, and not too far from Islamorada – a great location.
There are multiple room types for every budget, including no-frills guest rooms, which we love because of the bunkbeds….plus luxurious villas. (There are suites also, but they only accommodate 2 people.)
At Hawks Cay, you’ll find water adventures, dolphin encounters, great swimming pools, amazing accommodations, fun activities for the kids, bike rentals, a spa, fantastic restaurants with world-class chefs, and so much more. As soon as you arrive at Hawks Cay, you’ll want to start planning a return trip! It’s just that good.
Read More: HAWKS CAY: THE BEST RESORT IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
The Hawks Cay Kids Club is really amazing. We usually aren’t big “kids club” people, but what we loved about the one Hawks Cay Resort is that we could go in with them and explore the playground, play on the AstroTurf soccer field, play miniature golf, basketball, ping pong, and enjoy the splash pad area. It wasn’t a drop off kids club — it was full of family fun.
The splash pad was an especially big hit with our kids. It was a great setup for younger kids, and they had so much fun going up and down the slides and playing on the pirate ship splash pad!
There are multiple pools at Hawks Cay Resort. During our visit, our favorite was the main pool area that looks out over the bay. But we also really enjoyed the pool in the kids club area, since we weren’t worried about the kids splashing anyone or screaming too loud.
In addition to the amazing pools, one of the most unique things about this resort is their Saltwater Lagoon. The lagoon is fed straight from the ocean, and provides a great, calm place for kids to snorkel, experience water sports, or watch the dolphins frolicking nearby.
The lagoon raises and lowers with the tides, and is perfect for younger kids — although, it’s pretty great no matter how old you are.
Hawks Cay is also home to the Dolphin Connection, a popular excursion that doesn’t require you to leave the resort. Dolphins live in the onsite, ocean-fed saltwater lagoon on the property, and you can watch them play in the water, or sign up for a dolphin experience that allows you to swim, play, and learn more about these awesome animals.
Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort
Our final recommendation is Tranquility Bay, also in Marathon. (I told you it was our favorite place in The Keys!)
What’s fantastic about this resort are the rooms. There are typical resort guest rooms, but the 2-story beach houses are affordable and dreamy! Two- or 3-bedroom homes on the beach overlooking the water include full kitchens.
The pool area is HUGE and resembles a lagoon. But don’t worry – you’re super close to a real lagoon swimming area and dreamy beach, with the perfect Tiki Hut (with live music) and sunset view.
You can also take advantage of the fitness center, the spa, volleyball courts, a putting green and bikes.
Butterfly Cafe is the onsite restaurant, and listen, even if you don’t stay here you’ve got to make reservations for dinner here. The snapper is unbeatable, and their take on kaye lime pie will make you swoon. Kids’ menus are also available – and our kiddos said it was one of their favorite restaurants also.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA
- YOUR FLORIDA VACATION
- RESTAURANTS: 10 Florida Keys Restaurants Perfect for Families
- WATER ADVENTURES: 5 Epic Florida Keys Water Adventures With Teens
- STATE PARKS: 9+ Florida Keys State Parks (+ a Dreamy NPS) That You Can’t Miss
- SOMBRERO BEACH: Sombrero Beach: Don’t Miss This Hidden Treasure in the Florida Keys
FLORIDA KEYS FAMILY RESORTS
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