Amara Cay Resort

Beautiful refurbishment. Modern, clean lines. Half the rooms look over the pool. All have a glimpse of the sea. The pool cabana bar is open until 10PM. It is beside the sandy beach and pier. Two hammocks are tied to the palms, and a line of lounge chairs are within a few feet of the water. The beach is built behind a sea wall, but there is a metal ladder that accesses the water.
There is a popular Italian restaurant that takes over the restaurant in the evenings. The restaurant is open to the lobby and to beach visitor traffic, so it is pretty odd for the usually expected dinner atmosphere. The same tables are used for breakfast, offered to hotel guests only. I ordered a kind of off-​the-​shelf breakfast of yogurt, fruit, muffin, coffee and juice. It was very attractive and fresh, but served on island time — almost 20 minutes were required to come out of the kitchen. Only two other tables were occupied at the time, so I’m not sure what the two staff had to do when they were out of sight. They were both very pleasant when they did appear, however.

Super nice facility. Everyone we’ve met is nice, friendly and helpful. The little beach has plenty of chairs and is partially shaded by palm trees, so you can choose sun or shade. The room is a tad small, but we didn’t come here to sit in the room and it isn’t uncomfortable. The location is almost perfect, too as Islamorada has a lot to offer.

This was the worst hotel I have ever stayed at. It’s still being worked on so we were woken up by the sound of construction, there were tv boxes in my hallway because they were still working on rooms, it smelled heavily of paint. I felt like they shouldn’t have been open during this time because it was that annoying and disrupting. The pool is horrible and there was a little kiddie pool off to the side that was dirty, I wouldn’t even let my child sit in it. The breakfast at the hotel was so expensive for no reason, it wasn’t even good. I checked out a day early and the staff member didn’t even bother to ask if there were any problems with the hotel, shows how much they care… I would give this place 0 stars if I could. I guess the one positive thing about it is that it is walking distance from lazy days restaurant which has amazing food.

Great resort, friendly and fun staff, clean room and comfortable! Would definitely come back!

Let’s see… I arrived and the girl at the front desk was so nice and accommodating. I’m live two hours from here so I frequent the keys a lot. I got to my room and there were dark stains on the wall. At 830am there were drilling in the next room doing construction that I was unaware of. I thought the keys was a place of relaxation. My parents also had a room there. Went to key west today and just got back their room was never cleaned!!! Why is there a fee if they don’t clean it and when I went back in my room the stain on sheet and walls were still there. Gross. Gross gross!!!
Downstairs the décor is really pretty and the hammock swings were cool. The pool area was clean and the beach area was very pretty. I might come back but after construction is over.

Ok, let me tell you this: This place has an amazing décor. So new and in a good location, the staff is really friendly and helpful. Good pool and small jacuzzi with nice area bar in the beach. The restaurant inside is so so, too expensive for the small portion they served, better go outside for food (Lazy’s Days restaurant with walking distance), I really enjoyed my two days but I think the place is a bit overpriced for what they offer.

STAY AWAY. Let me go over the reasons why I urge all hotel go-​ers to stay away from this hotel which I am currently staying in room 303, while writing this review, so things are fresh. First, the front desk girl working last night was a miserable human being that looked down her nose at me when I inquired about nightly rates, after which she told me 300/​night. I booked through expedia at 202/​night. I then tried to check in, they hadn’t received the confirmation yet. I ask if I could get a drink at the bar, and she responded, «it’s very expensive, as if maybe we couldn’t afford it. She must not have seen the car we pulled up in or the black titanium credit card in my wallet. No worries though, we went an had drinks, which were fine if you order whiskey straight from the bottle to the glass with ice cubes. If you order a mixed drink… don’t be hopeful. I ordered an old fashioned, and I got something that resembled the color of a coca cola. My wife ordered a cosmo, which wasn’t terrible. Benefit of the doubt given as this bartender said he just started, maybe just a bad go at the drink. Second chances are given. So we ordered food. My wife ordered the flat bread and I ordered the short rib, after the pizza came out, our bartender explained that he forgot to put my short rib order in. It’s not like the bar was busy. there were 6 people he was taking care of, 45 minute short rib… The pizza was bland and clearly cooked in a standard oven, which is fine at home, but the premium they put on the pizza left a bad taste in our mouth. Now, let’s discuss the short rib and polenta, no sauce, no salt, and the internal temp of the braised shortib was cold and the fat inside was still congealed. So our final bill…90 $ for 2 sub par drinks and food items which had a great concept but no ability to execute, maybe the executive chef should train his staff efectively, and maybe the bar manager train her staff as well. We then ordered a taxi, just to find out 20 minutes later they never ordered us a taxi. All in all this was a terrible experience and i’ll never be revisiting this place again and I hate to write such a negative review as I’ve been in the hospitality industry over 2 decades and if anyone can understand when something goes wrong, it me. But this was ridiculous.

This place is phenomenal. With a feel so serene as soon as you walk in. The décor is absolutely beautiful and more upscale. I loved everything about this resort. Check in is so simple and quick and all amenities included went above and beyond. The staff are all on point and there’s so much to do right on site. Location is also perfect as your close to other hotels, restaurants, gas stations, convenient and liquor stores and Morada Bay.
The hotel has a beautiful pool, water features, a jacuzzi, snack and pool bar, outdoor seating, and there own private beach access which has a beautiful pier, a playground for the kiddos, seating and two hammocks to relax in. It’s truly just breathtaking, I was really relaxed. Our room was spacious and modern and came with plenty of towels, two robes, and toiletries if needed. We had a beautiful view over looking the pool and beach. I was very pleaaed with everything. I have to say somethimg about the bed, pure comfort and that’s alot coming from me because I have sleeping problems, trust me though you’ll sleep like a baby. They also have two restaurants at the hotel and free wifi. There’s a gift shop that has cute dresses, other clothing, great gifts and nice jewelry. I’m telling you this place is a one stop, everything you need is onsite. The only thing their working on now is the gym which should be accessible soon. I must say my whole experience was just fantastic and we’ve already made plans to return when it’s officially summer since we didn’t get to enjoy all the amenities since it was cold.
If your planning a stay in the beautiful Florida Keys, this place is a definite Must, trust me you CAN’T be disappointed!!!

Where do I begin with this amazing hotel that I can’t wait to come back too!!! They only thing I’m regretting is that it wasn’t warm enough for me to enjoy the amazing amenities that were their like the pool and the beach with the hammocks on the palm trees. Did I tell you that they also have two bars inside and out with restaurant included. Their also building a gym that will be ready in about a month or two. I also saw people with there pets around the hotel. This place is kid friendly with a built in playground overlooking the ocean perfect for a sunset with the family or a nice get a way with your love… Lot’s of amazing restaurants all around with local shops but I promise you won’t have to leave this place for a thing. With 24 hour service and beautiful luxury rooms you wont forget this gem everrr…

Absolutely gorgeous hotel with unbelievable customer service. We cant wait to go back and bring family members with us.

We had originally booked a different hotel that I shall leave nameless but saw reviews on Unilocal seeing how unsanitary and unkept it was and cancelled and booked Amara Cay, and we are glad we did. It’s just off the overseas highway in Islamorada, right next to Lazy Days. It was an old hampton inn turned into a boutique hotel. It’s not quite a resort, but it’s got beautiful décor. There was no Valet service but we parked the car within a few feet of the hotel. We promptly were checked in and told where we can pick up towels, theres also a small gift shop on the first floor. Our room was neat, clean, had a beautiful ocean front view. Everything is new and clean and in pristine condition. The lobby spills into their italian restaurant oltemare (which was also a good experience). The pool will be redone, it’s a little old school but it’s fine. The outdoor tiki bar had a cute vibe, but would def. recommend they restaff the bartenders (See review of tiki bar). They have artificial sand and chairs out creating a beach like atmosphere which was cute. They also have a hot tub that is covered which was useful for the rainy days. Concierge was great and booked all our restaurants for us, with very helpful tips. I should also mention they had a shuttle that drove you pretty much anywhere on Islamorada which is really convenient if you’re planning on getting tipsy and don’t want to drive and want to be safe and enjoy yourself.
It was very affordable, clean and pretty and we’d definitely try it out again and recommend it if you’re looking for a beautiful clean place and would like to explore outside of the hotel.

My husband, 12 year old son, and I stayed at Amara Cay resort in Islamorada in September and it was a truly *WONDERFUL* stay. The grounds are beautiful, immaculate, and relaxing. The resort went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. We ate outside for lunch during our stay and indoors for breakfast the next morning. The food was definitely top notch. We drove all they way down from Atlanta, GA and we were fairly picky about where we chose to stay for our much needed getaway. The General Manager, Front Desk staff, and Accounting staff were all delight to deal with. If we are in in the Miami area again, we will drive out of our way to stay at Amara Cay Resort. It’s too bad I couldn’t give them more than 5 stars. We stayed in their suite and had every amenity we needed. We cannot say enough GREAT things about this gorgeous property.
*The very large iguanas running around the grounds were a bonus :)
(Yelp: I wrote a review back when we stayed in September, but it never posted. I wanted to *make sure* my review was seen because we had such an amazing stay — Amara Cay Resort more than deserve this GREAT review. I came back to Unilocal to see what others had to say and my review was never posted so I am writing again. :(PLEASE make sure it is posted this time.)

great time at Amara Cay, absolutely stunning modern rooms and a hotel lobby to die for. this hotel was obviously recently redone– apparently the next two things on the list are the outdoor pool and to include a gym. stay here– you don’t be disappointed. beware– there’s a $ 30 charge per guest for amenities usage on top of what you pay for the room.

Brand new hotel, the design is upscale and modern, think contemporary meets Pinterest beach chic. Cool hanging basket chairs to lounge near the bar, a modern dining /​bar area that walks out to the pool and then to the beach.
Rooms are very nice — no carpets here. Modern wood style plank tiles in the bedrooms. Clean and beachy design continues here with white fluffy comforters and wicker lighting.
Bathrooms were clean and updated, nice big shower but no tub. Towels were good quality.
The pool is heated, there is a hidden hot tub tucked around the corner on the way to the beach. There is a fountain near the restaurant entrance — that is NOT the hot tub lol. Apparently some guests have made this mistake.
The beach is lovely, the tiki bar overlooks the water. Plenty of beach chairs and 2 hammocks to lay in. Note that this is Not a conventional beach, more like a sandy pier area and then stairs into the water. We saw dolphins in the mornings! There were also some random iguanas hanging out.
Another nice option they offer is a shuttle to any place on Islamorada. A perfect way to enjoy dinner with drinks without the hassle of a cab or a dui. The shuttle driver was so nice and played us his DJ remixes, definitely got the party started!
All in all, this is one of the nicest hotels in the area. You will be happy you stayed here!

Can’t say enough good things about Amara Cay. Beautifully and amazingly redone. Got a great deal online but would come again without a deal. Stayed in 227, a corner suite with lots of space and two bathrooms and balcony. I see this as a great place to have a wedding or party or just to get away. The kids playground and on site water sports rental helps very much. Restaurant is fantastic, staff is super attentive and rooms are impeccable, including all Nuxe products in bathroom which happens to be a favorite. Only thing I would add is a minibar or include some type of small menu available throughout the night. Although last night at 11 the restaurant was nice enough to bring us two sodas and a dessert. We have visited islamorada for all our lives and haven’t found a modern space at a great price since we can remember.

My girlfriend bid on this hotel for a weekend getaway at a silent auction while visiting for a work conference a few months back. She invited me and we decided to book for the second weekend in August. I have been to Key West a couple of times but I’ve never visited any of the keys so I was really excited to stay in Islamorada for the weekend. Parking was convenient when we arrived at the hotel; it looked pretty decent on the outside. We were pleasanstly surprised when we walked inside to check in. Apparently the hotel was a Hampton Inn prior and was shut down for six months for some remodeling and it looked worth every penny spent! The lobby was open and from there you could see the restaurant, bar and small areas to sit and relax. The décor was very modern with many beautiful wood pieces incorporated in the design. Hats off to the interior decorator! The hotel was very clean and just looked refreshed. The rooms were all updated as well; our room was very clean, modern, and crisp. The bathrooms were clean, equiped with enough towels and everything you need. Staff was very friendly and helpful. We were always greeted at the lobby and asked if we needed anything. We had a shuttle that was able to take us within 4miles each way and it was very convienient when we went out eating and drinking. There was no charge for this service. Our driver was awesome! Breakfast was delicious and there was plenty of options to choose from. Cute little boutique to go shopping but can be a bit pricey. Great poolside area with hidden jacuzzi surrounded by beautiful tree vines. Cool tiki bar that had an awesome bartendar named Red, great drinks and food. While we were having a couple of cocktails, there was a gentleman playing the piano and singing. He was great! Beach area was private and relaxing. Chairs were provided and they have an area for kids to play if you have a family staying there. This hotel is a plus if you have a boat since they have a boat launch right there. There wasn’t much of a beachshore but there was an area that had steps to walk down in to the shallow part of the ocean. We walked down a little, and there was a secluded part to just lay back and relax! Definitley a romantic getaway. There were plenty of great restaurants close by as well that have outside dining for those insane sunsets. My favorite part of the trip was visiting a place called Robbies that was just a few miles away for Tarpon feeding-​Look it up! Super cool! We definitley enjoyed our stay here and I have already recommnended this hotel to some friends. I’ll be back!

Very nice rooms… Questionable if I would call it a resort though… No Jacuzzi, massage lounge lady was on vacation? Beautiful white sandy area, but I wouldn’t call it a beach, its about 10 feet above the water and has a staircase that walks you into the ocean (and was very dangerous with algae (slippery) on the steps. Very friendly and accommodating staff. 50″ hdtv with dish network that was not in hd, and ½ of the channels were searching for a signal, but you don’t go there to watch tv! Would I stay there again, yes, if I got a groupon or a deal… no way I’m paying regular room rate… Best eats in the Keys just a block south, Lazy Days Restaurant!

Can’t speak highly enough about this resort or it’s staff. They just went through an incredible remodel and their grounds are world class. The onsite restaurant is outstanding and the location is great. This is a great spot for a weekend or a week.

I have just come home from a 2 night stay at Amara Cay Resort. What a joy! This hotel is spotless, and beautifully contemporary. So far above the usual dirty dated keys hotel rooms. The design and artwork are really stunning. This place is so beautiful and the room was great! There are people cleaning ²⁴⁄₇. I am a bit of a freak when it comes to beds, but it was so comfortable and really perfect! Every room has a balcony you can sit outside. The bathroom is also really pretty but the shower had little to no water pressure and the tub took a very long time to drain after 2 showers in a row. The pool is open till 10 pm and I saw people swimming at midnight! and there is a hot tub too. Only bummer there was kids were in it the whole time, so I never did get a chance to use it. Also we could hear everyone talking in the hallway so the room walls are pretty thin. No matter where we went staff was always smiling and saying hello.
My personal favorite part was the beach, especially at night for star gazing. I used Google sky maps and could see the universe from that beach at night! I liked that it felt private. The pool was 8.5 ft deep which makes it the coolest around. I will definitely stay here again! I hope to get a Florida resident special some day!

Stayed here while diving in the keys for five days. Newly renovated, the hotel has a great trendy décor that reminded us of resorts in Costa Rica with a touch of the W hotel mixed in. We primarily stayed here because of its proximity to Bud and Mary’s Marina and Key Dives. However, we tried out the hotel’s amenities as well; heated pool, sandy beach and restaurant. We were also there during the grand opening celebrations, but didn’t have time to partake in the fun. The room was very nice and spacious. It lacked a fridge but were told the rooms will be outfitted with them soon. Great views from the balcony of the pool and ocean. The only recommendation I would offer is to avoid a room near the ice maker. Right outside our door, guest were filling up their ice buckets at all hours of the night. When they remodeled, they really should have thought about moving the ice maker 40 feet to the laundry area, which is behind a closed door.