
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and active-water travelers who want on-site snorkeling, kayaking, beach yoga and multiple on-site dining options.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Amara Cay Resort is a 4-star oceanfront Islamorada resort with a zero-entry pool, private elevated sunning beach, on-site water activities, and multiple on-site restaurants — good for families, couples, and guests who want organized water sports and resort dining. Chesapeake Beach Resort is an established 3.5-star Islamorada beachfront hotel with two outdoor pools, a marina and boat tours, and a long guest-rating history — read this if you want a classic Keys waterfront stay with simple, reliable amenities.
Updated

Best for families and active-water travelers who want on-site snorkeling, kayaking, beach yoga and multiple on-site dining options.

Best for travelers who want a familiar, straightforward Islamorada beachfront hotel with marina access, boat tours, and complimentary continental breakfast.
When Amara Cay Resort wins: choose Amara Cay if you want a resort-style stay with a zero-entry oceanfront pool, a private elevated sunning beach, several on-site dining venues (ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, Coastal Cup & Lounge), organized water activities, and larger meeting/wedding spaces.
When Chesapeake Beach Resort wins: choose Chesapeake Beach if you prefer a smaller, long-standing beachfront property with marina/boat-tour access, two outdoor pools, and a high guest rating for a classic Keys waterfront experience with complimentary continental breakfast.
Bottom line: both are solid Islamorada choices on the Atlantic side; pick Amara Cay for a fuller resort program and family-friendly facilities, and pick Chesapeake Beach for a simple, well-rated beachfront stay with on-site boating options.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | Chesapeake Beach Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | 4-star resort-style property with resort fee, beach activities, poolside bar and on-site spa services. | Established beachfront hotel with a straightforward, classic Keys feel and on-site marina/boat-tour options. |
| Location | Oceanfront at Mile Marker 80 (Atlantic side) with private elevated sunning beach and reef access via stairway. | Islamorada (Matecumbe) beachfront location on Overseas Hwy; supplier listing shows private beach and marina on site. |
| Size (rooms) | 110 rooms across four floors (renovated and larger meeting/event capacity). | 60 air-conditioned rooms listed in supplier data. |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21+ to check in. | All ages welcome (not adults-only). |
| Pools | Zero-entry oceanfront pool with in-pool loungers; pool hours 8am to sunset. | Two outdoor pools; pool hoist and sun loungers listed. |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (poolside lunch/dinner), Coastal Cup & Lounge; public access and live music Thurs–Sat. | One bar/lounge; complimentary continental breakfast served daily; wrap-up-drink bar/lounge noted. |
| Spa & wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection provides spa services, plus beach yoga and massages. | Not published |
| Known for | Resort amenities, water activities (kayaking, snorkeling, scuba), events/weddings and a zero-entry pool. | Classic waterfront hotel with marina, boat tours, and strong guest ratings for a traditional Keys stay. |
| Beach access | Private elevated sunning beach (not a natural sand swimming beach) with stairway for snorkeling access. | On private beach (supplier listing notes private beach and beach sun loungers/towels). |
| Transfers & local access | Complimentary local shuttle between sister properties and Rum Runner water taxi; no airport shuttle. | Not published |
Amara Cay sits on Islamorada’s Atlantic (sunrise) side at Mile Marker 80 with oceanfront rooms that face the reef and Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Choose Amara Cay if you want direct oceanfront positioning with resort transport between sister properties.
Chesapeake Beach Resort is an established beachfront hotel in Islamorada (Matecumbe) with marina access and boat tours on site.
Choose Chesapeake Beach for straightforward beachfront access and easy boat-based activity options.
Amara Cay has 110 guest rooms and 18 room types including multiple oceanfront suites and lanai options.
Amara Cay offers a wide range of room types including larger suites for families and oceanfront lanai rooms.
Chesapeake Beach Resort lists about 60 air-conditioned rooms across various ocean-view and villa-style categories.
Chesapeake Beach provides a range of ocean-view and villa-style rooms with practical in-room amenities.
Amara Cay runs multiple on-site venues — ReelCatch, the Tiki Bar, and Coastal Cup & Lounge — with meal times and live music schedules.
Amara Cay is better if you want a variety of resort dining options and scheduled entertainment.
Chesapeake Beach Resort offers a bar/lounge and a complimentary continental breakfast each morning.
Chesapeake Beach is a simpler choice for guests who prefer included continental breakfast and fewer on-site dining outlets.
Amara Cay emphasizes a zero-entry oceanfront pool with in-pool loungers and a private sunning beach area.
Amara Cay focuses on family-friendly pool design and direct reef-snorkel access from its private beach.
Chesapeake Beach Resort has two outdoor pools, beach sun loungers and beach towels available for guests.
Chesapeake Beach is suited for guests who want multiple pools and direct marina/beach access without a larger resort footprint.
Amara Cay offers on-site wellness options via Ooh la la at The Collection, plus beach yoga and evening live music at dining venues.
Amara Cay pairs spa offerings and scheduled live music for guests wanting both relaxation and evening entertainment.
Chesapeake Beach Resort lists general leisure amenities like free Wi‑Fi, a bar/lounge and boat-tour access; published spa details are not available in the supplier listing.
Chesapeake Beach suits travelers focused on boating and daytime water activities rather than on-site spa programming.

Amara Cay — zero-entry pool, on-site water activities, kids-eat-free nights and family-friendly rooms.

Chesapeake Beach — on-site marina and boat tours make it easier to book water excursions directly from the property.

Amara Cay — multiple venues (ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, Coastal Cup & Lounge) and scheduled live music.

Chesapeake Beach — complimentary continental breakfast and a classic, smaller hotel footprint.
Amara Cay — it’s family-friendly, has a zero-entry pool, kids’ promotions at ReelCatch and multiple family-sized room types.
Chesapeake Beach — supplier listing shows a marina on site and boat tours available directly at the hotel.
Chesapeake Beach lists a complimentary continental breakfast; Amara Cay typically offers cooked-to-order breakfast as a paid extra (or via on-site dining venues).
Amara Cay has spa and wellness services through Ooh la la at The Collection; Chesapeake Beach supplier data does not publish spa details.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·