Amara Cay Resort

We had a partial ocean with a beautiful view from 2nd floor over pool closest to oceanfront side. Very convenient to the pool and beach. The beach area had corn hole and lots of other yard games. We had so much fun fishing for many hours a day and visiting with guests from all over the world. The grounds were pretty and there are so many quite places to relax all hours. The laundry room was a nice touch! Rooms have plenty of storage space for a family of four in a 2 queen room. Everything was great but you do have to ask for housekeeping or take your garbage to the laundry bin at times since they are small cans. Other then that it was such a great choice to stay at Amara Cay!

Housekeeping would not pick up trash and we came into a room with no toilet paper upon arrival. Had to beg the front desk. Took many attempts to get toilet paper. Most of the staff was awesome. The resort is pretty and well placed. Beach was nonexistent though and for all the money we spent we expected more.

We had another amazing stay at Amara Cay Resort. This was our 3rd visit and it was just a relaxing, clean and beautiful as it has been in the past. Marcus in the tiki bar was so friendly and engaging; we are looking forward to returning again soon. The resort is close to so many wonderful restaurants and water sports. Nearby sunsets are stunning

We had 2 rooms for 3 nights. Hotel and rooms were pleasant. But as we have now come to learn, Marriott hotels do not clean the rooms without you asking. They did tell us this on check in which is fair enough, but premium hotels like this should offer it as standard in my opinion. The small beach area was nice and palm trees offered shade if the mini-tiki huts were in use. Unfortunately the swimming did not look appealing due to the seaweed build up, and at low tide the water did not reach the beach wall. That's nature, so not complaining about that, however the hotel does not advertise this as it would certainly turn visitors away if you are hoping to spend time swimming in the sea. Parking was free which is rare now for the keys. We particularly enjoyed the free 'rum runner' boat taxi which allowed for a fun and easy way to visit the sister hotels in the area. This felt like a fun excursion, not just a convenient taxi. A nice touch was providing our group with metal water bottles on check in which we could keep topped up, saving on plastic bottle use. We brought the bottles home and will continue to use them.

The hotel is in a great location; the views are incredible and the grounds immaculate. The room is spacious, and the bed was comfortable. We had one meal at the hotel, and it was average but not unexpected at a hotel restaurant. Service at the bar and restaurant was great. We checked in on Monday and everything was going well until I asked for housekeeping on Wednesday about 9:30am. I was told by Christina via text that we weren't eligible for housekeeping since it was a 4-night stay. At this point, we were out of coffee, the bins were running over and we were using Kleenex as TP. I went to the lobby in search of coffee and the front desk staff said she could put me on the list for a "reset" of the room and not a full service. Perfect, I thought...We went on with our day returning to the room a few times and still no TP and tons of garbage. Finally, around 6pm we ran out of the Kleenex we were using as TP. I reached back out and someone brought us a single roll of toilet paper, and a plastic bag with 4 towels in it. We never received anything else. We ended up ordering room service coffee, and the garbage was piled up in a corner when we left. This was unexpected for the price point and certainly not the level of service expected from a resort property. We spent the last 3 days at the Cheeca resort and had daily housekeeping. This property has loads of potential but not even close to being a resort style property with the current "Motel 6" housekeeping policies.

Perfect Anniversary Stay! We stayed for one night on the fifth floor in an ocean view room to celebrate our anniversary, and it was truly unforgettable. The view was absolutely stunning, and the overall environment of the hotel was relaxing and beautiful. What really made our stay special was the thoughtful gesture from the manager, who surprised us with a bottle of champagne to help us celebrate – such a classy touch! The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making check-in smooth and pleasant. From start to finish, everything felt personal and warm. Highly recommend this hotel. We’ll definitely be back!

Fantastic effort from all the staff we encountered. Superb, spacious room with amazing views. We enjoyed the kayaking included in our stay and were lucky enough to see a manatee swimming by one morning. Overall we loved this beautiful hotel and will have found memories for a very long time.

Everything was wonderful and better than we anticipated! But the best part was the cabana we rented for a day and Todd! He was assigned to us for the day and let me tell you...He is amazing!! So incredibly attentive, friendly and just simply awesome! From the moment he introduced himself it was like we were spending the day at a good friends house! He 100% made the day perfect, completly stress free and relaxing! Thank you Todd!!

A great hotel stay while at Isla Morada. Upon check in we were offered their special drink and 2 refillable water bottles (which was so nice because in other keys resprt stays we've had to buy water since there weren't many filling stations. Their oceanfront view was a wonderful treat. It was relaxing to be able to walk out our balcony patio to see the ocean and relax on one of the loungers. You could take the small steps down to get to the pool and tiki bar a few feet away. The room was clean and I think the way the bed was positioned in the room made the room feel much bigger. Though it was hard to watch the TV from bed, it was nice to see the ocean was laying in your bed. We liked that the bathroom had a very spacious vanity so we did not have to worry about things falling off the counter. Overall a great stay, I just wish there was access to the water to sit on the shore. Also, though we were ar the very end of the hall you could hear when doors open and close very loudly so it made it hard to sleep. Despite the little things I think we'd return again. The hotel had breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you really don't need to leave, but if you did they also have a water taxi that can take you to their sister hotels for free (but the water was choppy on our visit so that was a no go). Thanks for a wonderful stay!

Booked months in advance, couldn't get rooms connected with kids, bar tenders are good but the 3-Waters location down the road was much more liberal with liquor. We were told no room service because guests were getting upset, requested toiletries twice, had room service walk in on us-they knocked, we said busy and they walked in anyways with no verbal announcement about who they were. Front desk was defensive when reported. The rooms are older. Dinner service is very slow, sit for 20 minutes before being acknowledged, food was delicious and pool was clean. General mismanagement here. 3-waters was better service, poolside service was included there but not at Amara, like a proper resort. We'll be staying at the 3-water location next time.

This resort is beautiful! Perfect for a family! We stayed at one of the suites, which was perfect for our group of five. The grounds are well kept and offer a range of activities from paddle boarding to bike riding. The views are simply amazing. There is free parking and lots of good eats close by. The pool is very shallow in case you have little ones. The front desk staff and workers seemed to be aloof at times, but overall the service was sufficient for our stay. Bonus - They offer free use of a washer and dryer. Perfect to freshen up your dirty and wet clothes. Just bring detergent or buy it from the front desk.

I would not recommend this hotel. The staff (several people, including management) were not friendly The towels - all of them including the full size ones - are paper thin The shower water pressure is low The elevator got stuck (thankfully not while I was in it) and people were ringing the bell for several minutes The floors were not clean The toilet paper is of a cheap quality I booked with AmEx travel, where I'm suppose to get a free upgrade and 4pm late checkout based on availability. Both were denied - for the checkout even a noon checkout was denied!!! Look at the photos and judge for yourself.

Our room did not feel or look clean. Bathroom and rooms need to be updated especially for the price that they charge to spend the night they should be nicer . Our mini refrigerator was broken & rusted on the bottom .The body wash pump was broken the maid came in to fix it but it still did not work . The breakfast was extremely expensive ! they charge extra for toast , really ? even children's breskfast was overpriced . I personally would not recommend this resort to my friends .

It was relatively an okay stay. Nice setting, pool, and service. The only thing that ruined the experience was the room view; a view of the roof. Not cool at all. Fortunately went to exploring the area and that made up for the short-comings of the Amara Cay Resort. Please remember to ask the front desk for a room that doesn't face the roof. Overall, okay experience.

Great hotel in an even better location. Great pool. Easy location for dining, bar hopping, fishing, sandbar, etc.

A Beautiful Wedding Overshadowed by Stress and Poor Communication Our wedding at Amara Cay was absolutely beautiful, but the journey to that moment was far more stressful than it ever should have been. From the very beginning, we faced multiple issues that caused unnecessary frustration and anxiety leading up to our big day. The Room That Was "Just a Request" When we started this process, we carefully selected a specific room that was meant to be an integral part of our wedding vision. We planned our ceremony around it and envisioned special moments--like my bride stepping off the lanai and walking to the ceremony, or the two of us enjoying some peaceful time fishing together. However, upon arrival, we were told that the room was not available. When I raised my concerns, I was met with indifference and told that the room was merely a "request" and was never guaranteed--despite the months of planning and assurances along the way. Because of this, I got only four hours of sleep the night before our wedding, and we were left scrambling to get ready when we were finally moved into our room around 1 PM. This left the bride with little time to prepare, and the entire morning felt rushed and chaotic when it should have been relaxed and joyful. Repeated Issues with Room Blocks, Deposits, and Billing Beyond the room issue, we encountered repeated problems with room block pricing, deposits not being properly applied before check-in, and guests being overcharged for their stay. Each time we brought up these concerns, we were met with excuses rather than solutions. It felt like the default response was to deflect responsibility instead of acknowledging and addressing the problem. The Turning Point: Sarah, the Property GM The one person who truly turned things around was Sarah, the property's general manager. Unlike others we had dealt with, she actually listened, heard our concerns, and--most importantly--took responsibility for the mistakes that were made. She worked quickly to make things right, and I sincerely appreciate her efforts in salvaging what could have been a disastrous experience. Without her stepping in, I'm not sure how things would have played out. Exceptional Staff Who Deserve Recognition Despite the challenges we faced, I want to highlight the front desk staff, Krissan and Brittany, for being incredibly sweet and handling my disappointment and frustration with professionalism and understanding. They went out of their way to make sure we felt welcomed, and after the wedding, they made an effort to check in with us and bring a smile to our faces every time we passed the front desk. One of the biggest reasons we originally chose this resort was because of the people who work here, and they truly embodied that sense of hospitality. I also want to recognize Trey for his help with the fishing pole rentals. Thanks to him, I was able to take my nephew fishing, and he caught his very first fish--an unforgettable moment that made a huge difference in our experience. Final Thoughts At the end of the day, our wedding was beautiful and perfect in many ways, but the road to getting there was far more difficult than it needed to be. The stress and frustration caused by poor communication, billing mistakes, and a lack of accountability put an unnecessary damper on what should have been a seamless experience. Would I recommend this venue? The setting is undeniably stunning, and there are amazing staff members like Sarah, Krissan, Brittany, and Trey who genuinely care about their guests. But the operational failures and lack of proactive customer service from others created an experience that I would hesitate to put another couple through. If Amara Cay wants to be a premier wedding destination, they need to address these service failures and prioritize a smoother, more guest-friendly experience.

This resort is beautiful! We are staying at Siesta Key Resorts but they are sister hotels so we can use all the amenities to both places and this is our favorite pool as it's a bit warmer than siesta keys pool. The tiki bar is great and has happy hour specials and events that they announce in texts to all the guests. Views are spectacular... music plays all day... it's relaxing, clean and a gorgeous property i highly recommend staying here. This place is nothing but 5 stars!!!

Do not stay at Amara Cay! This hotel should be called a motel because that's what it feels like. Understaffed and underwhelming. Amara Cay officers nice ocean views (most hotels here do) and some pretty good ice cream, that's it. The service is subpar, the rooms are outdated and dark, and the amenities are blah. Pool area is very packed with minimal lounge chairs. During my stay one of the elevators broke, there's only two. I understand things happen, but the next day it was still broken and no one was working on it. We also had a huge issue with housekeeping not leaving enough towels and toilet paper. Overall I would not recommend this hotel, I will never stay here again.

I love this place. The service is great. The perfect family friendly boutique resort. Lynn at the breakfast bar area is beyond amazing , sweet and helpful. She really made my mornings.

Free kayak and bike rentals, free shuttle around the island, free parking, great fishing dock and swimming area and pool, and they give you wristbands to enjoy the beaches and pools at their other properties. 10/10 definitely going back. Key West sucks, go here instead.

PROS- *Location! Beautiful. Right on the water, which pretty much is any hotel in Islamorada. (Ocean view is obviously more money, limited spaces) *The outdoor area- Tiki Bar, live music, beautiful view, pool, fun games in the sand area, fire places around for the evening and a nice dock for fishing! The Mediterranean Chicken Bowl & Avocado Salsa was 1000/10! Soooo yummy!!! *Complimentary Bikes, The Bike ride was great so many places to go near by, cute island boutiques, coffee shops, nature trail ( saw a shark in water)! Restaurants & more! Also the sister resorts of La Siesta right by, Didn't make it to the three waters resort. *There was also a complimentary shuttle, boat shuttle, Kayaks, paddle boats & more. Didn't use these amenities but good to have! *PEACEFUL! It was fully booked and still peaceful. Love that! The reviews state the customer service is not good, although I had a great welcome from the front desk giving me all information needed & a nice welcome cocktail! They gave me amazing in-depth information, 5 star service I wish I got her name! The next morning was not the same treatment as the staff was a little less caring to our needs of where we can purchase breakfast & the housekeeping was at the door a minute before checkout to make sure we were out, never had that happen! CONS- *The room itself is pretty basic, I still think they do a great job, it's beautiful & clean. For the price, would except more.. * The showers need a little help, the water leaks all over we had family staying in another room had a problem as well with the water flooding all over bathroom floors. *towels need a good upgrade it would've made a huge difference having a softer luxury towel. But these are super small towels that feel like sand paper! *the "refillable" water bottles, love the concept although had a different smell & taste I couldn't get passed, I just wanted a plastic water bottle at that point. *The doors throughout the hotel need a good upgrade, again for the price paid of 500+ a night. Didn't give a luxury feel with the paint chips along the doors. *this is a dog friendly hotel, I am a dog lover but I know many people are not so much or don't want the smell, it does have a musty odor with a dog smell! Just FYI. Next door to bud & mary's marina which we had a fishing charter booked so it was easy access to get there, across was a nice Florida restaurant that we checked out, tiki bar & indoor dining as well, super cool! Square grouper is about 2 minutes up the road, worth it! Awesome food and atmosphere. Overall, this is a beautiful resort and I would stay again, I think for 200$ or so a night is fair pricing.. 500$+ is really pushing it! But it is season so I get it. Would look into it out of season, for the money paid there are more luxury options near by that give you more of the Wow factor..

This is a great resort overall. There are 4 total sister properties, including The Postcard Inn, and you can visit and use the amenities at them when you stay at Amara Cay. Amara Cay itself has a nice pool area and tiki bar. There are lots of families with children, so it might Noel's be very relaxing. There are also kayak, paddle board and bikes that guests can use for free. Like I said before, you could also use the pool at PostCard Inn, which I prefer because it has a swim up bar. The lobby and design of the hotel is beautiful and spacious with a few places to grab coffee or breakfast. The only time there is no food being served is between 11-11:30am. The staff was very friendly, and one woman at the front desk went out of her way to give us a late check out. I would definitely stay here again if I was in the area.

The Amara Cay resort is definitely not a five star hotel. I have experienced many 5 star hotels and this is not one. It is a solid 4 star hotel. However, my personal experience with this resort is 5 star hence the rating I gave it. My family has been coming to this resort periodically for about 5 years now. Every time we come it is the same, relaxing yet also very fun experience. Positives: The resort is in a great location with many amazing bars and restaurants nearby. Ocean views on both sides. The food is fantastic, the staff is friendly, the rooms are always clean. Everything you'd expect from a good vacation resort. My family has been going for years and will continue to do so for many more years to come. Our friends that we bring there always love it as well and want to come back. Negatives: I don't have much to say but I do wish the maintenance on the hotel was just a little more there. I noticed some locks didn't work. Particularly the one in our bathroom and the one in the pool bathroom. My only other complaints are that there's no vending machines and no complimentary breakfast. 3 easy fixes total that haven't been addressed. It is surprising considering they put so much effort into all other aspects to make it a great experience. Summary: if you are looking for a wild party time at an upscale resort, this may not be for you. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to come back soon, this is the spot. One of my personal favorite resorts no doubt.

Such a laid back and cute hotel. Amara is easy to find, has a small but good gym, nice bon fire area, and a lovely beach. The service at the breakfast/bar area was very slow but other than that it was a great experience!

Overall, the quality of the service is ok. The staff we met are mostly friendly. If you choose to stay here, all you need to do is to pray for that the guests in your neighbor room are decent people, respectful for other guests and know to control their volume at night time. The wall of this hotel is literally the thinnest, and on top of that, the gap between the door and the frame is so big that you can easily see the light coming through, from top to bottom- yes, please imagine how much noise you can hear from outside of your door. The room also has a door that connects the room right next to yours. Every morning, you would hear the cleaning crew chatting in the hallway which feels like they are right next to your ears, because of the big gap of the door. Every night, you can hear everything coming from the room right next to you through the door between the two rooms. I can easily hear what the people in my neighbor room talking about, the program on their TV, and even the person they are speaking with on the phone (yes, the person on the other side of their phone line!!). After midnight, their TV was still rocking like thunder, I had to call the front desk to complain about it. The front desk girl said they could try to remind them, but they cannot guarantee their costumers will agree to turn down their volume. The next day, and the following days were all the same and I was counting on the days to get out of here. If you travel with family (especially young kids) and care about your vacation experience, please do yourself a favor, save your nerve, and do not ever choose here. For hotel management - if you don't want to fix your door or wall, at least there should be a proper quiet time policy at night.

Nice resort but the slowest service I've ever had. The employees do not give two cents about the customer. Chit chat and they have no care in the world. Been at the beach bar for 20 minutes and nobody has asked me for a drink 4 people on the clock!!!! UNBELIEVABLE. Never coming again. SHAME! Beautiful place.

If you want your bank account to be charged multiple times inaccurately and have limited room service hours then this is the place for you. Also, this place is cashless; I don't recommend this place or anything owned by the same company.

We stumbled upon this little resort and it was perfect for our 5 day stay. The room was big, clean and comfortable. I was even shocked at how comfortable the bed was. The bathroom was large with a large shower. We didn't pay extra foe the ocean view but we could still see the water. We rode the free bikes each day and swam in the pool often. We set at the tiki bar each evening and enjoyed drinks. The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere of this place is just beautiful and welcoming.

Well it's 30 minutes past check in time and still no room for us. Let's see how the rest of the weekend goes but as of no not good Well it didn't get much better. Our bathroom was dirty and mold in the shower. Pictures below. I told the front desk and the only response was I tell the manager. $350. Night I expected more. Pool was nice and Caleb the bartender is awesome but he's leaving soon. I expected refund but no luck. They did credit me the resort fees. Speaking of that the bike handle bars grips were the melts candy bars disgusting

Our recent visit to Amara Cay resort was a giant disappointment. We booked it through Hotels.com and the pictures and descriptions were very encouraging. However, arriving after a 2 1/2 hour drive from Miami, we were shocked by the disparity between the photos and the reality of the actual facility My recent attempt at a getaway to Amara Cay Resort in Islamorada, Florida Keys, swiftly turned into a cautionary tale of false promises and neglect. In the wake of the 2022 hurricane that ravaged the region, it appears that this resort has failed to recover both structurally and ethically. Upon arrival, the stench of decay greeted us, permeating the air of the room we had booked at a considerable expense. The unmistakable odor of urine, coupled with the sight of mold in the shower, served as a stark reminder of the resort's disregard for basic cleanliness and upkeep. It became abundantly clear that the glossy facade presented in online advertisements was nothing more than a mirage, conveniently concealing the reality of dilapidation. Determined to salvage our brief retreat, we ventured to the swimming pool, only to be met with yet another disappointment. The water, akin to a stagnant pond, bore no resemblance to the inviting oasis portrayed in promotional materials. Instead, it mirrored the neglect and apathy that seemed to pervade every corner of the resort. Disheartened and disgusted by the state of our accommodations and the lack of accountability from the staff, we made the decision to cut our losses and depart within 20 minutes of our arrival. Despite our grievances and the obvious misrepresentation of the resort's condition, our attempts to seek a refund were met with resistance. Hotels.com, complicit in this debacle, had booked our proposed two-night stay as non-refundable, leaving us trapped in a nightmarish scenario. The resort, displaying a mere semblance of empathy, begrudgingly agreed to refund only one night, further highlighting their disregard for customer satisfaction and ethical business practices. In conclusion, my brief encounter with Amara Cay Resort serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of trusting blindly in online advertisements and third-party booking platforms. This establishment's failure to uphold even the most basic standards of cleanliness and hospitality is a testament to their lack of integrity and respect for their guests. Save yourself the disappointment and avoid this decaying relic of a resort at all costs.

Front desk help and pool bar workers were very engaging , centrally located and great free shuttle with Freddie the driver

3.5/5. Staff interaction and service is good. Food was better than expected. Grounds and views are very nice (although technically there is no beach at this property, you can access the water). Price was incredibly high compared to room facilities and in-room amenities. Bathroom was tiny and housekeeping/management need to pay better attention to checking the rooms for wear & tear. My room had broken digital clock, an iron that shot debris over my dress shirt and wall switches that didn't work. Might or might not return based on available room rate.

I was lucky enough to be put up at Amara for a quick work trip... it honestly felt more like a mini vacay than anything else. However, while I'm not over here trying to look a gift horse in the mouth, I will point out the good, BAD and the lovely! Good: For starters, this tropical ocean front resort is easy to locate and in a very convenient location with nearby grocery stores, pharmacy, restaurants etc. The double room I stayed in was a nice size and had plenty of room to unpack and still feel spacious. The room was perfectly clean and nicely decorated, keeping consistent with the cute, island/minimalist-decor from the lobby. The bathroom was also very clean and well stocked, I just wish it had a bit more light (or at least the option to turn on a few more). Like I mentioned , the lobby is super cute, and has several hanging swings near the bar area,that look like cocoons. You can tell they've put a good amount of effort into remodeling and adding stylish details. Bad: So right off the bat I was not thrilled with the customer service at Amara. When checking in ,I went over to the front desk to find the front desk agent on her phone / computer? I'm not sure, but the point is I had to approach and greet HER... She wasn't very friendly and really she seemed bored AF ( not my fault you don't like your job) anyway I totally let it slide because she was young and probably doing her millennial best. She handed over my room key and said my room was "on that side, you can park over there" and pointed behind her. Not very clear directions but I figured I'd find it. I ended up having to walk all the way around from where she said I should park ,since there wasn't a clear entrance into the hotel, and she failed to let me know about the unnoticeable side door that takes you right to the elevators from the parking. When I finally reached my room the key wouldn't open the door. I attempted it maybe 7 times and after doing the same exact thing it finally opened. I went downstairs and let the agent know and she responded "you must have put your phone next to the key and messed up the magnet " um... no, no I didn't. When I went back up with the new key provided, the same thing happened,only this time I had to try about 13 times until the door finally opened. I'm fairly sure it was that the doors were old,just like the elevators btw. I asked 3 different times for a new key until I basically realized this door situation would be a recurring thing throughout my stay. **** Okay now, the REALLY BAD: what could possibly be worse than going to bed after a long work day, then to wake up in the middle of the night to the blaring sound of a hotel fire alarm?? Turns out it was actually a Carbon Monoxide detector... which is scary as hell!! The hotel didn't apologize or try to placate us in anyway and really it was a terrible inconvenience and safety hazard. Somehow I fell back asleep after that fiasco , only to be woken by an incessant housekeeping call at 10 am - I think if your hotel had a major inconvenience in the middle of the night let your guests sleep-in please !!! So yes, one of the nights was completely ruined for me and I'm sure every single guest that night feels the same. Lovely : Thank god for the truly lovely amenities offered at Amara, and even more so for the strong drinks served pool side to help erase those horrid memories from the night before. I started my morning by going Kayaking with a few coworkers. The Kayaks are FREE (well really included in the resort fee) as are the paddle boards. The attendants at the rental station were extremely pleasant and had a great attitude. The pool was really pretty and clean, and had a great view of the ocean. The bar is located just steps from the pool so that was also perfect. Games are set up near the pool area too. They offer Corn hole , giant connect four etc. Several hammocks are scattered around the property right alongside the water and it was the perfect way to unwind. But I think my favorite was the beautiful sunset view and the fire pit to end the day. Honestly if it were not for some of the unpleasant staff and the horrible alarm incident, I would love to give Amara Cay 5 stars. Nevertheless, with a drink in hand, I made the most of the beautiful views and relaxing activities offered at Amara.

We stayed he for a night to spend time with our aunt from out of town. The room was definitely not up to par and the front desk lady was hardly inviting and welcoming. The pullout inside the room we gross and the mattress had holes on it.

Amazing stay! Amazing location. The rooms & hotel were very clean. We loved the pool. The paddle boards & kayaks are an AMAZING feature. We didn't get to visit the sister properties, but I wish we did. We would definitely come back to Amara or another sister property. The only complaint is that we had a do not disturb sign up & every day had a few knocks on our door for housekeeping, towels, etc. it seemed as if the sign didn't mean much, but we really had an amazing stay nonetheless.

Very gorgeous property and pool. It feels relaxing and as if you are on a tropical island. The decor is updated and modern. Artistic details abound. We had the nachos and drinks at the bar. I would not recommend the nachos because they used a cold cheese, it was liquid poured on there and they weren't heated up at all. For kids, the pool could be considered boring because it's shallow and there's nothing to do, but for adults trying to relax it's very nice. Kids do have the option of playing ping pong, scrabble, or connect 4.

We were here for a BIG planned event and had a block of rooms. The resort is lovely. The staff was lovely. My group of friends had 4 rooms. Two of the rooms were upgraded ones. They were all TERRIBLE!! 1. Insufficient lighting in room with one existing not working. Had to open drapes to see anything INSIDE room. 2. One bar of soap, none for showering. 3. TV's all sucked - zero volume control including mute. Useless to watch. 4. PHONES DO NOT WORK INSIDE OUR ROOMS!! We could not contact anyone at resort. Had to call an 800 # and you get someone offsite who can't really help you. Basically none of us felt safe at your resort in our rooms!!! This was my 2nd stay here and my last (the 1st had same issues - I'm the fool). There is a $40 resort fee added on each night - for NOTHING! There are many options in Islamorada, don't be fooled and waste your money at Amara Cay Resort!!

Beautiful, quiet, and relaxing. Very clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly and always looking for ways to help make your stay a wonderful experience. Highly recommend!!

Nice resort with super-attentive staff. Tilip was amazing at breakfast this morning as was the rest of his team.

Beautiful hotel room with fabulous ocean view. Went there for New Year's Eve. Food is great in restaurant. Serviss just ok. Drinks were horrible, ordered apple martini and still do not know what I got,

I really loved this resort! Sadly my boyfriend and I only stayed a night but I would gladly return to stay for longer. The staff were welcoming and explained everything to a T. Our room had a partial ocean view and it could've been an ocean view at that point it was great. The room was spacious with a good bathroom and a balcony. Even though there were stairs walking to the ocean it still felt like a beach and there was a swimming area. The pool was great with a tiki bar for drinks! There were also lots of games to play in the yard. One thing I do wish was that the tiki bar was open later than 9 pm on weeknights! This is still peoples vacations so they may want to stay up later like weekends.

This place was great for the most part. Some plusses 1 - The pool for the kids was amazing. It has a beach entrance so it's not a drop straight down. It was big so we never worried about people getting to close to us during covid. 2. A courtyard with Cornhole and connect four and the kids can run a little. 3. Swinging chairs in the lobby. 4. The food from Reel Catch was pretty good. Here is what we didn't like 1. There is no beach! We're in a resort... in the keys.. WITH NO BEACH!! Let me make it clear, you have access to the ocean, but it is narrow stairs and you drop in the water. You don't have waves crashing onto your toes. That was a major, major bust. We had to haul the family to the sister resort to use the beach and it wasn't fun. 2.Only 2 people working at the bar. That only 2 people placing drink order, food order, waiting tables, getting food from the kitchen and running the food. You guys can use another 2 more people to make the wait less painful. Other than that, it was a really nice place. If you guys had a beach entrance, I wouldn't even think about looking for another hotel. You guys just about have the whole package. I just can't have my kids dropping into the ocean and then the flipside is packing up a minivan to use a beach down the street.

The hotel staff is very welcoming friendly and professional. The rooms are good beds are comfy. Are partial view was good we didn't today to get the great view but was happy considering the amount of time we spend in the room. Visited two of the other three resorts and they seems run down and the staff was not friendly. No complaints about this one. Other then the pool music was awful! I'm not even sure what kind of music it was. The bar staff told us they hated it too but it was corporate and they couldn't change it. Viewing the guests at the pool it would be better served to make it available to change depending on guests.

Great 4 night stay at Amara Cay in room 410. Room was well equipped, staff were wonderful. Enjoyed the pool and tiki bar as well as courtyard games. The ability to text needs directly to the resort was an added bonus. Would definitely recommend.

Amara Cay is a resort connected to several other resorts in the area. Pelican Cove, Postcard Inn, and La Siesta are the other properties and you are welcome to visit them as a guest at any of the resorts. Last time we were in Islamorada we stayed at Pelican Cove which was amazing and located next door to the Postcard so it was easy to wander over during our stay. Amara Cay is absolutely stunning and the staff were all so nice and friendly! They also had complementary yoga on the beach a few times! The inside is gorgeous and they have different kinds of infused water daily. It was delicious and very posh. Similar to Pelican cove there is a large outdoor area set up with ping pong, corn hole, oversized Jenga, and tic tac toe. There is even a game room filled with free play video games from the 80's. Also included are bike rentals, kayaks, and paddle boards. The views are outstanding, and it's a pretty quick walk to their sister location La Siesta which has the most incredible heated pool. The food at the restaurant is also great too. Rooms are spacious and clean. Absolutely loved this place!

I just spent few days there. It was the best. The hospitality of the staff!! They made me feel welcome and very safe as I was traveling alone with my fury plus one. A beautiful getaway. I am going back very soon. Better then a well renown place down the street lol! Just saying as I was at that location a month ago. This is the best in Islamorada I am super happy I found this little piece of heaven. Dolores and Neska are the best! Omar, mike and the staff at the breakfast Restaurant are all a delight !!! Thanks guys!!

The resort is clean, and the rooms are spacious. We had a partial ocean view room and it was gorgeous. I personally don't think the higher expense for a "ocean view" room is worth it especially when you really don't spend much time in the room. The pool is beautiful and clean. We enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the front desk staff are friendly and helpful. They made some amazing recommendations for dinner outside the resort as well as their favorite dishes at the resort. Recommend the blackened fish tacos and the chicken nachos. Drinks were good, but at times it was hard to get waited on at the tiki bar by the pool. Don't believe the amenity that shows "beach access". It is sand on concrete that drops off into water that has collected seaweed, dirt, grass, and smells of sulfur. There is no swimming beach at the resort. It is pretty to look at and peaceful at night with the various seating options, just don't expect any crashing waves and swimming. Location is close to many great restaurants and activities. The road and neighboring resort were both under construction which was distracting and inconvenient. On our first day there they were cutting down bushes and trees on the resort with loud equipment, but that only lasted a day. We enjoyed our stay, but I doubt we would stay again. Breakfast should be free, not an expensive charge for a basic breakfast. Over $5.00 for a cup of black coffee is stupid, especially when you pay a $40 resort fee daily. At least give a cup of coffee! I expect to pay $15 per alcoholic drink, so that wasn't shocking to me and the drinks were not watered down, so I enjoyed them. You have to get to the pool early to get an umbrella (people save seats and don't come out for hours which is annoying). The food is good, but nothing outstanding. The lack of true beach access is the downside to me. It is also first come first serve for kayaks or paddle boards. I wish you could schedule for them to ensure you get to enjoy them while visiting. I feel as a first time person staying at the resort, it wasn't what we were expecting.

Service has gone downhill. we stayed here and 2019 and had a great experience. just got back from there (11/26-28/2022) and we were disappointed: 1. Didn't have the room we booked. Tried to give us a queen bed. We declined so they gave us a downgraded room/view that still had a king. But didn't refund us the difference. 2. womens Bathrooms in lobby were unkempt. 3. TV in room didn't work (couldn't watch big football games or news in between our ventures). We asked them to fix this but they didn't. 4. Housekeepers were loud in the am, talking /laughing/slamming doors in halls Overall, it just didn't feel like the staff did much to ensure we had a great experience. The pool was beautiful and pool bar/staff were great. But for one of the "upscale" resorts in islamorada-and what we paid ($500+/night) there are probably better values in the area now.

Nice resort, but minimal housekeeping. Patio bar has good food, but one bartender is exceptionally rude. They don't do much to accommodate their guests. Shuttle was not available as promised. Management doesn't listen to the guests, we were told go to one of their other properties to avoid the rude bartender. Seriously, I have never experienced a resort that doesn't respect their paying guests

Very nice hotel and very well kept. We did not stay here but came for the fish like a local which was held out in their pier. So I explored the grounds and hotel. The only thing this resort does not have is a gift shop. I would stay here for a week.

Wanted to take the family to Key West. We found this resort via the web and figured why not. We had read that Islamorada was more family friendly than Key West itself. I find that to be true. The room is clean and the AC functioned. All are must haves for me. There is also a microwave and fridge in each room which is an added bonus. Our microwave was not working but I didn't really have a need for it so no loss there. Some of the pros to being here is the pool which is salt and heated which was really nice. Guests have access to bikes, kayaks and paddle boards which I didn't use but good to know they are there. However there isn't much that is worth biking to in my opinion. We basically had the place to ourselves for the majority of the week. Business picked up and the Thursday before we left but I don't know if that's because of COVID or the time of year. There is an on-site place to eat that I did not try but it's there and has decent reviews from Yelp. A few negatives. The staff were present but that's about it. They seemed indifferent as to whether I was there or not. They complied with requested items such as towels or water bottles but very meh service. A smile wouldn't hurt in my opinion but hey that's just me. The "beach" is a slight disappointment but that's also Key West due to the reefs surrounding it. If you want a beach go to Pensacola or Miami I suppose. My bedding was fine. My wife complained that her mattress had zero support. Sheets were clean but I left my black light at home..... Overall if I had it to do over I would probably stay at a Air BnB type place so that I could save some money. For the price of staying here. I was taken aback by some of the prices honestly but I can't necessarily hold that on anyone but myself for not completing research prior.

Overall I really enjoyed this resort. Great pool, tiki bar, restaurant, private beach and free kayak/paddle board/bike rentals. Also had free yoga classes while I was there! We got a room upgrade being Amex cardholders, but the room ended up being my one complaint. The 2 queen beds were not queens and were in dire need of new mattresses. There is virtually no lighting in either the main room or bathroom-we were constantly fumbling around in the dark. The AC works well but is incredibly loud. The floor could use carpeting or a rug to help with the tracking in of sand. Every time we got into bed we had to dust off our feet. Housekeeping really only comes if you ask. That being said, I would probably stay here again for the resort amenities, I just wish they would do something about the rooms.

Love this place. It's so beautiful. Next time I definitely want an ocean view room. My room is beautiful but the first floor facing games. There was a drip from the bathrooms roof. The staff is amazing specifically Sophia Baker who greeted us and was an amazing host during registration and after. She is one of the best I've seen in making you feel welcome and at home. Then we have Nicanor Stlvain an all around do it all that had the party shuttle bus at our disposal and took care of every need offering a smile and a party atmosphere that made your heart smile. The staff made this place even more amazing. The hotel is a gem and so beautiful that you feel you are far away in a tropical island where dreams come true .

We came here for a mini honeymoon with our 14 month in tow and can honestly say we had the best time. As someone who is very particular about where they stay, I am pleasantly surprised by Amara Cay. I was very worried after seeing some of the negative reviews here but we have had a wonderful experience. There has been a few hiccups but the staff has handled everything perfectly. The room they put us in originally had some mold on the ceiling and being that I have bad allergies, my husband went down to ask to switch rooms. The front desk ladies apologized profusely and changed our room to an ocean front view but same style room. It had two beds but we pushed them together to make one giant bed (honestly, pretty amazing because we both are bed hogs). There was also an issue with the fire alarm but they were actively working on it to fix it but it did go off a few times during the day. The closet where it was located, was right outside our room so we saw them diligently working on it to ensure it was working properly. A little annoying to hear but who can complain about something that is not their fault. The first night we had dinner at the tiki bar and it was delicious. Our server Stephanie was attentive and very personable. She was our server on more than one occasion and was awesome. Two of the mornings we had breakfast down in the dining room and it was great. We ate early because of our child and had the whole place to ourselves. Each day we hung out by the pool and had lunch and drinks. Highly recommend the Pina colada with a Meyers rum floater. Never any issue and always great food. I ordered the Wings twice, sooo good. We loved the beach entrance into the pool because it provided a great place for our child to sit and play with her toys. We love that it's pet friendly because we were able to bring our dog. They even have a small potty area for dogs which was an added touch. The staff here are extremely pleasant and kind. Each time you walk past the front desk you are greeted with a smile and a hello. Even if there was four people working the desk, every person said hello!! I noticed that the general manager keeps his office door open most of the time (we walked by it a lot to take our dog out). I got the opportunity to speak with him briefly when he saw us waiting for the elevation and asked how our stay was. I told him how happy we were with our stay and that we would definitely be back. We didn't get the opportunity to paddle board or kayak but it looked like a great time. I also can not speak for the housekeeping because we opted to not get our room cleaned due to having our dog in the room. The head housekeeper did stop me in the hall to ask what I needed and took our trash and gave us fresh towels. The room was clean and very quiet. You could barely hear anything from the hall. Updated and modern decor and a cozy furnished patio. Thank you to everyone who made our stay that much better. We will be returning! It's also worth mentioning that I saw several grown adults being extremely rude and disrespectful to the staff and the staff handled it with grace. I don't understand why people are such jerks sometimes. The dining room was cold one day (as is EVERY indoor restaurant in the whole state of Florida) and a couple stormed out after demanding that the air conditioning be turned down to their liking. The server offered to comp their meal and apologized. She was so kind to them after she was treated terribly. I have a lot of respect for that as a former server.

The Good: The hotel is like a big Pinterest advertisement. Uniquely repurposed items that made the ambiance comfortable. The Bad: The resort fee. 30 dollars a day. Wouldn't be an issue if I hadn't noticed 50-60 % of the resort run out the side gate hop in their cars and leave. None of which had a resort bracelet on. I've commented on food service in a separate reelburger post. Avoid if possible. We left the room at 8:00am and returned at 2 to find our room wasn't clean. I went to another floor. Dropped of dirty towels and grabbed new ones. Took out my own garbage and asked to take TP. After 3 trips to this cart I didn't get acknowledged but the staff and it was quite evident I was cleaning my own room. Won't be coming back but will continue to monitor this site to see if reviews improve.

Highly recommended this hotel. No need to drive all the way down to Key West. Islamorada has so much to offer. This hotel is a true example of that. Stay at the hotel includes a free breakfast in the morning. Not a Continental breakfast, but pick whatever you want from the menu. Very good choices and attentive wait staff. Friendly staff, clean rooms, great pool and sand area. Close to great restaurants, boating charters, local breweries. Rooms are modern, upscale, and spacious. Very nice change from most of the old rundown hotels in the area. Looks like they are planning to remodel pool area and expand the hotel in the near future. From the pictures it's going to make this hotel even better.

Needed an escape from covid madness for 2 days so I searched Yelp for days till deciding on this resort. I live in Florida so it was only a 3 hour drive. The place was really nice. The rooms were very pretty and very clean. I felt safe. They clean the room and seal the door with a sticker saying it was sanitized. The staff was extremely nice and helpful. We were asked about special requests and they met all of them. The grounds were beautiful and such a nice big pool. Lots of parking too. I'm really looking forward to my next stay.