Age and kids policy at Amara Cay Resort
Amara Cay Resort is an all-ages, family-friendly property: children of all ages are welcome, but the primary guest checking in must be at least 21 with valid photo ID. There are no adults-only sections; family-sized rooms and suites (including sofa beds) are available, and the resort offers pool, beach, and water-activity access suitable for kids.
In this guide
Who can check in
Amara Cay Resort requires the primary guest checking in to be at least 21 years old and to present a valid photo ID and credit/debit card at arrival. The cardholder must be present; the property authorizes the remaining balance plus an incidental hold ($100 per night, up to $300).
This 21+ requirement applies only to the person completing check-in — it does not restrict travelers who are younger from staying in the room with a qualifying adult.
- Primary guest minimum check-in age: 21 (ID required)
- Cardholder must be present at check-in
- Incidental authorization: $100/night (up to $300)
Kids, families, and room options
Children of all ages are welcome at Amara Cay Resort. Many room types include sofa beds or multiple beds that make staying with kids straightforward.
When booking, pick a room type that lists enough beds for your party. Rollaway or crib options are not specified in the dossier, so ask the resort when reserving if you need a crib or extra bedding.
- Rooms and suites with sofa beds: Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Suite, with Sofa bed Standard View; Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Room, with Sofa bed, Palm Partial Ocean View; Room, with Sofa bed, Standard Partial Ocean View; Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront, Lanai; Standard King Room (may list sofa bed option).
- Larger family suites: Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront; Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront Lanai; Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront (listed for up to 6 guests).
- Confirm exact sleeping configuration and maximum occupancy at booking.
| Room type | Listed max guests / beds |
|---|---|
| Room, Oceanfront | 4 Guests; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront | 4 Guests; 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront | 6 Guests; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront | 6 Guests; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Room, with Sofa bed, Palm Partial Ocean View | 3 Guests; 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed |
Pools, beach and children’s activities
The resort has a zero-entry pool beside the ocean edge that is open to guests of every age; pool hours are 8:00 AM until sunset. In-pool loungers and poolside seating face views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Amara Cay provides a private elevated sunning beach (Lighthouse Beach) with chaise lounges and thatched huts; it is designed for sunning and snorkeling access rather than typical sand swimming. A stairway from the beach gives direct water access for reef exploration.
- Zero-entry pool hours: 8:00 AM to sunset
- Lighthouse Beach: sunning beach with loungers and hut seating (not a traditional sand swim beach)
- Stairway from beach for snorkeling access to nearby reef
Dining, kids’ meals and family-friendly service
ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar are open to families and the public; ReelCatch serves breakfast and dinner, and the Tiki Bar serves lunch and dinner with poolside seating. The resort lists family-friendly features such as a weekly kids-eat-free promotion.
Specifically, kids 12 and under eat free at ReelCatch on Tuesday nights with the purchase of an adult dinner entrée (one complimentary kids meal per adult entrée, dine-in only).
- ReelCatch hours: breakfast 7:00 AM–11:00 AM; dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Tiki Bar hours (public listings vary): typically open for lunch and dinner; one listing shows 11:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Tuesday special: kids 12 and under eat free at ReelCatch (one free kids meal per adult entrée, dine-in only)
Pets, service animals, and extra rules
Amara Cay Resort is dog-friendly: the property allows up to two dogs per room for a nonrefundable pet fee (the dossier lists $50 per pet per night). Service animals are exempt from pet fees; emotional support animals follow the standard pet policy.
Housekeeping will not service a room while a pet is present, and a deep-cleaning fee may apply if damage occurs. Guests are responsible for pet-caused damage.
- Maximum dogs per room: two
- Typical pet fee listed: $50 nonrefundable per pet, per night (confirm at booking)
- Service animals: fee-exempt; emotional support animals: subject to pet policy
- Housekeeping: will not service room while pet is present
Resort fee, activities and spa access
A mandatory resort fee applies and includes access to pools and beaches across the Islamorada Resort Collection properties, paddleboards and kayaks, bicycle rentals, fitness-center access, enhanced Wi‑Fi, parking, and access to the Rum Runner water taxi between sister properties. The exact nightly fee amount varies by booking source and should be confirmed with the resort.
Spa and wellness services are available through Ooh la la at The Collection, which serves Amara Cay along with sister properties. A separate contact number exists for bookings; specific hours and any age minimums for spa treatments at the Amara Cay location were not confirmed in the dossier, so contact the spa when scheduling.
- Resort-fee inclusions: pool/beach access, enhanced Wi‑Fi, parking, kayaks/paddleboards/bikes, fitness center, Rum Runner water taxi (between collection properties)
- Resort-fee amount: varies by OTA; confirm directly with property
- Spa brand: Ooh la la at The Collection (book via the spa numbers listed by the spa operator)
| Included activity / amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kayak & Paddleboard use | Included via resort fee access to equipment |
| Rum Runner water taxi | Shuttle between Amara Cay and sister properties (guest access) |
| Fitness Center | Open daily; typical hours listed 6:00 AM–10:00 PM |
What to check or ask before you book
Confirm sleeping configuration, maximum occupancy, and any crib or rollaway needs for your chosen room type (examples: Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront or Room, Oceanfront). The resort lists many room types with sofa beds and multi-bed suites but does not publish rollaway/crib details in the dossier.
Ask about resort-fee amount at your travel dates, whether any advance deposit rules apply to your rate plan (some advance-purchase plans are nonrefundable), and any kid-specific restrictions for particular activities or spa services.
- Verify bed types and maximum occupancy for your exact room name
- Ask whether a crib or rollaway is available and if there is a fee
- Confirm resort-fee amount and what's included for your reservation
- If traveling with pets, confirm breed/weight acceptance and any deep-cleaning policies
