
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and guests who want oceanfront dining, a zero-entry pool, water-sport rentals, and more on-site activities.
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Amara Cay Resort is a 4-star oceanfront resort in Islamorada with family-friendly rooms, a zero-entry pool, private sunning beach, and on-site dining — read this if you want an active Keys beach stay with water sports and restaurants. Atlantic Bay Resort is a 3-star waterfront hotel in Tavernier with a small set of individually decorated rooms and a private beach — read this if you want a quieter Upper Keys waterfront option with strong guest ratings.
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Best for families and guests who want oceanfront dining, a zero-entry pool, water-sport rentals, and more on-site activities.

Best for travelers seeking a compact Tavernier waterfront hotel with easy access to boat tours, a marina, and a high guest-rating score.
When Amara Cay Resort wins: choose Amara Cay if you want a larger resort experience — more rooms, multiple on-site dining venues (ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, Coastal Cup & Lounge), a zero-entry pool and private elevated sunning beach, resort amenities for families, and access to the Islamorada Resort Collection shuttle and Rum Runner water taxi.
When Atlantic Bay Resort wins: pick Atlantic Bay if you prefer a smaller, quieter waterfront property in Tavernier with direct marina/beach access, free bicycles on site, a single outdoor pool, and very high guest ratings for a compact stay.
Bottom line: Amara Cay is the fuller resort experience for families and activity-focused stays in Islamorada; Atlantic Bay is a simpler waterfront alternative in Tavernier if you want a smaller property and a strong guest score.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | Atlantic Bay Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Mid-size, family-friendly oceanfront resort with lively dining and activities | Small, quieter waterfront hotel with a marina/beach focus |
| Location | Islamorada — Mile Marker 80, Atlantic (ocean) side | Tavernier — waterfront near Mangrove Marina |
| Size (rooms) | 110 rooms across 4 floors | 19 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | All-ages; primary guest must be 21+ to check in | |
| Pools | Zero-entry oceanfront pool with in-pool loungers; pool hours 8am–sunset | One outdoor pool (listed) |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (lunch & dinner), Coastal Cup & Lounge | Not published |
| Spa / wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection (spa services available; beach yoga & massages offered) | Not published |
| Known for | Water sports, private sunning beach, event/wedding venues, Rum Runner water taxi to sister resorts | Waterfront location with marina access and nearby boat tours/snorkeling |
| Accessibility & front desk | Wheelchair-accessible rooms and paths; 24-hour front desk | Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations); front desk with limited hours (8 AM–8 PM) |
| Resort fee & inclusions | Mandatory resort fee covers access to multiple collection properties, water toys, shuttle/water taxi access and enhanced Wi‑Fi (amount varies) | Resort fee USD 22.50 per night (lists beach towels, breakfast, housekeeping, parking included) |
Amara Cay sits at Mile Marker 80 on Islamorada’s Atlantic side with direct oceanfront access and views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Best if you want full oceanfront access and easy resort-collection transfers around Islamorada.
Atlantic Bay Resort is a waterfront Tavernier hotel near Mangrove Marina and local boat tour departure points.
Best if you want a compact waterfront base near marinas and boat tours in Tavernier.
Amara Cay offers 110 rooms and 18 named room types including oceanfront suites and multiple-bed family suites.
Choose Amara Cay for a wider range of room sizes and family-friendly suites.
Atlantic Bay has 19 individually decorated guestrooms in a smaller-property layout.
Choose Atlantic Bay if you prefer a smaller, apartment-style or suite-focused stay with kitchen options.
Amara Cay runs multiple on-site dining venues and a lobby bar, open to the public.
Amara Cay offers more on-property dining variety and scheduled live-music nights.
Atlantic Bay's supplier listing does not publish on-site signature restaurants or bar names.
Atlantic Bay is a simpler stay — expect fewer on-site dining venues and rely more on nearby restaurants or in-room kitchens.
Amara Cay centers its guest experience around a zero-entry oceanfront pool and a private elevated sunning beach with water access.
Amara Cay is centered on waterfront pool/beach activities and easy access to snorkeling and water sports.
Atlantic Bay provides waterfront access and lists a private beach and one outdoor pool.
Atlantic Bay is a compact waterfront option focused on marina and beach access rather than multiple resort pools or venues.
Amara Cay offers spa and wellness experiences through Ooh la la at The Collection and has scheduled live music at dining venues.
Expect a full-service wellness offering plus evening live-music options at the resort.
Atlantic Bay's supplier listing does not publish an on-site spa or dedicated wellness center.
Atlantic Bay is better suited to quiet waterfront stays and DIY wellness rather than resort spa programming.

Amara Cay — more rooms and family suites, kids-friendly dining deals, zero-entry pool, and a range of on-site water sports and activities.

Atlantic Bay — a smaller Tavernier property with marina access, kitchen-equipped rooms, and a strong guest-rating for simple waterfront stays.

Amara Cay — multiple restaurants and bars (ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, Coastal Cup & Lounge) with live music and daily happy hours.

Atlantic Bay — many room types list kitchens or kitchenettes, handy for longer stays or light meal prep.
Amara Cay — it is explicitly family-friendly, has larger family suites, kids-eat-free night at ReelCatch, and a zero-entry pool suitable for children.
Amara Cay — it runs ReelCatch, a poolside Tiki Bar, and a lobby lounge with scheduled live music and daily happy hour; Atlantic Bay does not publish similar on-site venues.
Atlantic Bay lists several room types with kitchens or kitchenettes (Cottage, Suite Kitchen options). Amara Cay focuses on standard rooms and suites; kitchen-equipped rooms are not listed.
Both properties are convenient for water activities: Amara Cay lists on-site snorkeling/diving options and close dive centers in Islamorada; Atlantic Bay lists boat tours, a marina on site, and scuba/snorkeling nearby in Tavernier.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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