Review: Amara Cay Resort

Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?
The chic Amara Cay Resort oozes laidback luxury. Its lobby—with windows overlooking the beach and pool—immediately captures your attention.

What's the backstory?
Amara Cay is a member of the Islamorada Resort Company, a boutique resort collection that also includes the Postcard Inn, La Siesta, and Pelican Cove.

Tell us all about the accommodations. What can we expect from our rooms?
The rooms have an updated tropical look and feel, with rope and rattan furnishings, plants, earth tones, and pops of turquoise or green.

Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?
The Wi-Fi's included in the $35 daily resort fee.

Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?
The Dining Room serves breakfast, while Reelburger’s Tiki Bar serves lunch, dinner, and evening cocktails outside by the pool. Otherwise, venture off property to a wide variety of restaurants.

How's the service?Friendly and competent.

What type of travelers will you find here?
Couples and families with college-age kids.

What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?
The resort is right in the heart of Islamorada, making it especially convenient to dine, shop, and plan activities off property. The resort also has a Mercedes shuttle van within a four-mile radius, so you can have an extra sunset cocktail without worrying about the drive home.

Is there anything you'd change?
There's limited dining onsite, but there's lots nearby.

Any other hotel features worth noting?
Other than a nice beach and sexy-but-small pool, the resort has limited amenities (there's no spa, for instance). Snorkeling or fishing trips (Islamorada is the sportfishing capital of the world) also happen off property. There are, however, kayaks, paddle boards, and a fitness center rounding out the offerings at the resort.

What's the bottom line?
This resort delivers high style without any pretension.