
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and water-sports — easy on-site snorkeling, kayaking, and a private sunning beach next to a zero-entry pool.
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Amara Cay Resort is a family-friendly, oceanfront 4-star resort in Islamorada with a zero-entry pool, private sunning beach, on-site water sports and waterfront dining. Hampton Inn Key Largo is a mainstream 4-star branded waterfront hotel in Key Largo that appeals to travelers who want a reliable chain experience close to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Updated · about 20 miles apart

Best for families and water-sports — easy on-site snorkeling, kayaking, and a private sunning beach next to a zero-entry pool.

Best for travelers who want a familiar, branded hotel experience with straightforward comforts and proximity to Key Largo attractions like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
When Amara Cay Resort wins: choose Amara Cay if you want an oceanfront property focused on beachside dining, water activities (snorkeling, kayaking, scuba access), and a resort-fee package that includes local shuttles and a Rum Runner water taxi to sister properties.
When Hampton Inn Key Largo wins: pick Hampton Inn Key Largo if you prefer a recognizable hotel brand with consistent room amenities (refrigerator, microwave, free Wi‑Fi), an indoor and outdoor pool, and an easy base for visiting John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Key Largo attractions.
Bottom line: Amara Cay is the better pick for an Islamorada oceanfront resort stay with on-site water options and beachfront dining; Hampton Inn Key Largo is the practical choice for a mainstream, branded stay close to Key Largo dive and reef sites.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | Hampton Inn Key Largo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-focused, oceanfront, family-friendly | Mainstream branded waterfront hotel |
| Location | Islamorada, Mile Marker 80 — Atlantic (sunrise) side oceanfront | Key Largo, on Florida Bay / Overseas Highway |
| Property size / rooms | 110 rooms across 4 floors | 100 guestroom accommodations |
| Who it's best for | Families, water-sports and beach-focused travelers | Travelers wanting a reliable branded stay near Key Largo attractions |
| Pools & beach | Zero-entry oceanfront pool + private elevated sunning beach with snorkeling stair access | Indoor freshwater pool and outdoor freshwater pool; private beach area listed in amenities |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (lunch/dinner), Coastal Cup & Lounge | Café and bar listed; no signature full-service onsite restaurant name published |
| Spa & wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection provides spa services and beach massages; fitness center open 6am–10pm | Not published |
| Known for | Water activities, private beach access, waterfront dining and event venues | Proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and straightforward branded amenities |
| Accessibility & family policy | Family-friendly; 21+ primary guest to check in; wheelchair-accessible rooms | Not adults-only; accessible features listed; mainstream family-friendly chain |
| On-site activities | Kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, guided ecotours; Rum Runner water taxi to sister resorts | Pool, fitness, billiards, and proximity to local dive/reef sites; supplier listing notes waterfront location |
Amara Cay sits on Islamorada’s Atlantic side (Mile Marker 80) with direct oceanfront access and views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Best if you want Atlantic-side ocean views, on-site water access, and easy connections to sister properties.
Hampton Inn Key Largo is a branded waterfront hotel in Key Largo marketed as a comfortable island option near reef attractions.
Good base for accessing Key Largo dive and reef sites and for travelers who prefer a chain hotel experience.
Amara Cay offers 18 room and suite types, many with oceanfront or partial ocean views and lanai options.
Choose Amara Cay for larger family suites and ocean-view rooms with direct resort amenities.
Hampton Inn Key Largo provides standard Hampton room types with balconies/patios and either king or two-double-bed layouts.
Expect straightforward, consistent Hampton Inn room amenities and practical layouts for couples and families.
Amara Cay’s on-site dining emphasizes seafood and poolside options with indoor/outdoor waterfront seating.
Stronger waterfront dining choices on property, including dedicated seafood restaurant and lively poolside bar.
Hampton Inn Key Largo lists a café and bar among its amenities; supplier listing emphasizes convenience and on-site basics.
Expect basic on-site food & drink options and convenient in-room appliances rather than a resort-style dining program.
Amara Cay centers its experience on a zero-entry oceanfront pool, private Lighthouse Beach and many water activities.
If on-site snorkeling and easy water access matter, Amara Cay is the stronger choice.
Hampton Inn Key Largo lists both indoor and outdoor freshwater pools and a private beach area among its amenities.
Hampton offers pool options and bay-side beach access but fewer published specialty water-activity services compared with Amara Cay.
Amara Cay supports wellness services and an active event calendar tied to its waterfront setting.
Good combination of wellness services, live-music evenings and large outdoor event spaces.
Hampton Inn Key Largo provides basic fitness and meeting amenities consistent with a branded hotel.
Reliable business and fitness basics; less emphasis on spa programming and waterfront nightlife compared with Amara Cay.

Amara Cay — on-site snorkeling access, kayak/paddleboard rentals, scuba options and a private sunning beach.

Hampton Inn Key Largo — consistent Hampton amenities, room features and a straightforward hotel experience.

Amara Cay — ReelCatch and a poolside Tiki Bar with scheduled live music and lunch/dinner service.

Hampton Inn Key Largo — proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Key Largo dive operators.
Amara Cay is better for on-site snorkeling and easy water access; Hampton Inn Key Largo is closer to John Pennekamp if your main goal is reef excursions from Key Largo.
Yes. Amara Cay explicitly welcomes children of all ages; Hampton Inn Key Largo is a mainstream family-friendly branded hotel (not adults-only).
Many water-sports perks (kayaks, paddleboards, fitness center access, pool/beach access) are included with the resort fee, but confirm which activities are free versus paid when booking.
Amara Cay offers spa and beach-wellness services via Ooh la la at The Collection; a dedicated spa name or menu is not published for Hampton Inn Key Largo.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·