This was our second year staying at the Amara Cay, and what an enjoyable experience both times. We were allowed early check in which is such a nice amenity. Check in was quick, and very friendly with recommendations. Our room was on the second floor again, this time an ocean front and wow - it's worth it. We had the courtyard view last time and it's also a very pretty view - you can't lose. The pool area and bar is so wonderful - very scenic, and the service at the bar is great. They have a great menu for lunch options that they bring out to you. The room was very clean, modern, and spacious. You can request a microwave if you need too! There are bikes, paddle boards, and kayaks for rental for free. Lots of things going on in between the three resorts - we wish we'd had a chance to try the yoga! We will be back for years to come. read more

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We just finished a 7 day visit to Amara Cay resort. This was somewhat disappointing in regard to customer service and room cleanliness and supplies. After 3 days my wife had to threaten the front desk staff with using towels to wipe her ass if the maids didn't restock the toilet paper in our room. Totally unacceptable for a resort. They kept assuring us the rooms service maids were coming in daily, but they never did until she threatened to come down and make a scene. The staff seemed unmotivated to complete even the basic cleaning tasks. We only asked for two coffee k cups, clean towels and the two room garbage cans to be emptied on a daily basis. That was just too demanding and the staff tried to mean-mug us when we came and went but finally got it done for the final two days of our visit. I'd advise you visit another property because the service is nonexistent and a total disappointment. Their on site restaurant was a joke as well. Completely overpriced and out of touch given the location. Every other restaurant we visited in the area was excellent, but theirs was almost always empty. The menu was way overpriced and there were countless local options that were much better and less expensive. Nearly all the staff on site see to be unwilling to provide service to customers and displaying a shitty attitude overall. Leadership changes need to take place or this property will crumble. Good location, just bad service with inadequate leadership supervision. read more

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We loved our stay here. Beautiful property. The pool is clean & warm. Love the chairs in the pool & the area around the pool is beautiful. Many chairs in sun & shade. Our room was spacious & comfortable with a king bed & ocean view patio. Great lighting in the bathroom. The restaurant in the hotel was just ok. I had a açaí bowl that was not what I expected. The breakfasts were decent. So many other amazing restaurants in walking distance though. Great location on Islamorada. Can't wait to come back. read more

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Insulting pricing double standard, avoid the cabanas here. Beware if you expect consistent value within the Islamorada Resort Collection. My wife and I rented a pool cabana at Amara Cay, only to discover that their sister property, Three Waters, charges the exact same price but includes a massive $250 food and beverage credit. Amara Cay provides absolutely zero credit. When I brought this $250 value disparity to the Front Desk Manager, her excuse was that Three Waters is a bigger property and can 'afford to do more.' As a paying guest, that is an insulting justification for a corporate double standard. I emailed leadership and the sales team (Cart Code: RC-IPJVAE) requesting they at least credit the $100 we spent out-of-pocket on food. They ignored me for days, and then sent a generic template email refusing to do anything about it. If you are going to spend premium money in Islamorada, book at Three Waters or somewhere else that respects its guests. Amara Cay's management would rather protect a few dollars than fix a glaring, unfair policy. read more

I was excited about staying here from the looks of the resort online. The resort and grounds are really tropical, laid back and gorgeous. We were greeted warmly from the front desk person and she offered their featured drink and two water bottles to use while we were staying here. Loved the refillable water stations around the resort. The featured drink was not good at all. We made it to our room and were quickly disappointed with our lack of view. We could see a peak of the ocean but that was it. Next, the World Series was occurring while we were there and after a long drive we were looking forward to relaxing and watching it. Guess what? No Bueno on seeing the game from our room. They only feature Direct TV with limited channels. Seriously??? I was a bit upset as my team was playing in the series. Our only choice was to go to the Tiki Bar and watch till they closed... The next day we enjoyed an overpriced breakfast but at least we did not have to leave the resort. After breakfast, we went outside and checked out the pool area along with the ocean view. We found a Kayak/Paddle Board station set up. We quickly changed clothes and grabbed a couple of kayaks and went for a cruise on the ocean. It was really fun and we got to see a ton of wildlife and fish. They also offer use of bikes on site however it is pretty dangerous to ride on the Overseas Highway. We lunched by the pool and we had a fantastic bartender who took really good care of us with good food and drink. The pool was beautiful but I wished there would have been better access to the ocean. There are a ton of iguanas at the resort along with squirrels and they are not shy about looking for a bite of any food you might have. One of the iguanas was so gutsy, he knocked over my drink just to grab the orange. Made me jump right out of my lounge chair! A water taxi is available and can take you to their other sister resorts in the area. We never used it but a lot of people did. Overall our experience here was good not great. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Absolute worst front desk experience. The bar at the pool is under construction - hence, drilling and other powertools galore. Total indifference to guest. Views are fabulous - but they are so at any location in the keys. Cleanliness mediocre - place needs a fresh coat and some polish. First time and will be the last. read more

Sorta didn't want to make a review at first but now I changed my mind. Although the resort is beautiful and very clean there seems to be a lot of miscommunication with staff and guests. Never was told resort fee was not included in the $300 a night room cost. Resort fee was $59 for one night so it ended up coming out of $100 deductible not once was that mentioned until I went to the front and seen charges on my card. Tried to order room service phone was not working front desk was called 12x nobody answers where is the resort feel in that. Finally was told I have to text a number to order room service. Huh since when what's the purpose of the button on the phone ? Lastly the phone. I was dead asleep in the middle of the night possibly around 2 am I am not sure because the entire situation was extremely bizarre and quite terrifying honestly. The phone started to ring right near to my face and of course nobody now a days uses a desk phone so the ring tone all together is spooky especially being in a deep deep sleep on what's supposed to be your relaxing resort stay. So I sleepily answer the phone like hello??? And it's a man telling me it's a 11 am reminder call and I'm like huh what reminder and just hang up so very confused and very sleepy. Afterwards I had a very hard time sleeping and I felt so creeped out and unplugged the phone and just was not very comfortable afterwards. When I left the room in the morning I felt like I needed to investigate and ask the front desk what the heck that was about and if they had a call long and they denied knowledge of any call logs and said it might have been a prank ..... like uhhh I didn't pay $$$ to be pranked but it simply did not make sense because of the context of the phone call . Nothing was resolved anyways im not sure this place was worth any type of stars ALSO.. the walls are paper thin. You can hear people use the bathroom , snoring, peeing, every conversation read more

Fantastic waterfront views, the pool and tiki bar, with lots of lounging spots, and lush tropical landscaping. The front desk team were all fans accommodating m. Thank you Alona, Riri and Brittney! My room was clean and accommodating. The A/C kept the room at a great temperature. This is my 4th stay at Amara Cay and was great as always. The tiki bar has great happy hour and The Reel has fairly decent food if you don't feet like driving. read more

Amara Cay Resort - Pool is saltwater and always clean - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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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. read more

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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. read more

Amara Cay Resort - Lobby bar - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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. read more

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!!! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Amara Cay Resort - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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. read more

Went down for a family vacation and what a great time..Everyone on the staff was great.Kevia the manager couldn't have been any nicer and was just great to deal with..Great tiki bar and all bartenders were awesome especially Jackie,what a great guy!.Then there was Marcus.He was unbelievable and what a great guy who made are trip so much better. read more

The resort itself was beautiful! The check-in process was awful and unprofessional! My sister-in-law and I asked to have rooms on the same floor (Something we requested a month prior, and again a few days prior) We were told one of us would have to pay an upgrade fee, which I agreed, only to find that the "upgraded room, was half the size, with the same view. Check in process with Brittany took nearly two hours, and assisant manager Nory, repeatedly told me the hotel manager would call me, but I never heard from her. At one point Nory told me, I had taken two hours of Brittany's time, as if guests are an inconvenience, I also witnessed Brittany speak down to another employee in front of guests. As I was leaving, I finally saw the manager, who said she knew what happened but "Just didn't get to it yet" She barely spoke to me, and she handed me a $100 credit as I was checking out. Between Nory, Brittany and the manager, they were all unprofessional and their behavior overshadowed what could have been a wonderful stay. Also want to mention, the tree trimming started early, and you hear it loudly in the room! read more

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 . read more

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. read more

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

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. read more

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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.. read more

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. read more

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! read more

Amara Cay Resort - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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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. read more

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 read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Amara Cay Resort - Sunset from outdoor tiki bar. - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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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. read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Amara Cay Resort - Resorts Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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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. read more

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!! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more