Amara Cay is a popular resort in Islamorada. But is it worth it?
In this Amara Cay Resort review, I’ll cover everything you need to know—from the beach and pool to the rooms, dining, and overall experience.
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Quick Overview
Pros
- Located right on the water with incredible views
- Laid-back island life feel
- Access to tons of water sports that include boating, fishing, diving, and more (for an extra cost)
- Kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes are included in the resort fee
- They have room service and a couple of on site restaurants
- One of the nicest pools in Islamorada: it is large, has zero entry, and overlooks the water
Cons
- Breakfast is not complimentary
- Rooms were renovated around 2015 and while the decorations are very nice, I personally felt you could tell that the rooms are older
- We personally experienced pretty thin walls and could hear our neighbors on both stays, but I know that this depends on who your neighbors are.
- The beach is a typical Florida Keys beach meaning it is “rocky” and you need to climb down a ladder to enter
Click Here to book Amara Cay in Islamorada
Amara Cay is a member of the Islamorada Resort Company, a boutique resort collection that also includes the Three Waters Resort and Marina and La Siesta.
Location & First Impressions
Amara Cay is in the heart of Islamorada (often referred to as the Sportfishing Capital of the World). It’s close to pretty much everything but feels like its own world. It’s a tropical paradise with tons of gorgeous palm trees.
The Beach
Anytime I talk about beaches in the Florida Keys, I need to start with a disclaimer. You are not going to find long stretches of white sandy beaches in the Florida Keys. It tends to be “rocky” due to the coral and it’s not uncommon for seagrass to wash up.
Amara Cay isn’t an exception. There isn’t really a shoreline and instead, there is a seawall so to enter the water, you’ll need to climb down a ladder.
But the turquoise water is stunning and the vibes are laid back and tropical.
Kayaks and paddleboards are also available if you’d like to get out on the water.
The Pool
Amara Cay’s pool is one of the best pools I’ve ever enjoyed in the Florida Keys. It’s a large lagoon-style pool that looks over the water.
They have plenty of loungers or you can rent a cabana.
They have a bar you can order food or drinks from along with poolside service.
The second time we visited Amara Cay, we had our little kids and we really appreciated the shallow areas for them.
The Rooms
I personally find the rooms at Amara Cay to feel a bit outdated. They have been recently renovated so they have a nice coastal chic/modern feel to them, but I felt like I could tell that the room itself was older.
The rooms do have plenty of natural light, which I like. Some of their rooms offer a pool or waterfront view.
On one of our stays at Amara Cay, we did have peek-a-boo views of the ocean. This view was not considered an ocean view room. I appreciated the surprise of a water view.
I also appreciated that they didn’t consider it an ocean view room for guests who pay more for a view – many resorts will do this even though most of the view is of the parking lot.
The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are nice.
The rooms also come with mini refrigerators and coffee makers.
Dining Options
There are a few onsite dining options.
The main restaurant serves all three meals. They have casual breakfast options and their dinner options specialize in seafood and island-inspired dishes.
There is a poolside bar with appetizers and things like burgers.
I also appreciate that you can order room service. This is really nice when traveling to Islamorada with kids!
You’re also just a short drive away from some of the best restaurants in Islamorada. You can even walk to Lazy Days, one of the most popular waterfront restaurants in Islamorada with good food and live music.
Activities & Amenities
You can book fishing charters, snorkeling trips, and more for an extra fee from the resort.
Bikes, paddle boards, and kayaks are also available on the property and are included in your resort fee. There is also a fitness center on site.
Dog-Friendly
Amara Cay is dog friendly. There is a nonrefundable $50 fee per pet per day, with a maximum of two pets per room. There is no weight limit.
This was great for us as we often travel with our bernedoodle, Lady. But this can be a con if you aren’t a dog person or if you’d just prefer not to have dogs on your vacation. Both times we stayed here, all of the pet owners were responsible.
Who Is Amara Cay Resort Best For?
Amara Cay is great for couples wanting a romantic getaway or travelers who want to prioritize relaxation over a party scene. It’s also great for families with young kids who want a smaller resort experience.
Amara Cay is not a large all inclusive resort. It’s more intimate yet has good amenities like on site restaurants, water sport rentals, etc.
Click Here to book Amara Cay Resort in Islamorada
Cost
Prices of accommodation in the Florida Keys can vary greatly. Amara Cay can be around $200/night during the weekday and can be upwards of $600 on a busy weekend.
Whether this feels reasonable to you or not may be up for discussion but the Florida Keys are not a particularly budget-friendly destination. And compared to other hotels, Amara Cay tends to be a lower price for what it offers.
You can definitely find more affordable places to stay but generally speaking, they won’t have as nice of amenities as Amara Cay does.
We were able to get last minute reservations on Memorial Day weekend on the same day of our arrival for around $300/night. Comparable hotels that weekend were going for well over $600/night.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Amara Cay is a resort that you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to yet there is plenty to do.
Whether you’re visiting Islamorada for a weekend escape or part of a longer road trip, Amara Cay is a pretty good choice!
