
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and guests who want oceanfront rooms, a large pool area and on-site seafood dining with easy access to water activities.
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Amara Cay Resort is a 4-star oceanfront Islamorada hotel at Mile Marker 80 with a zero-entry pool, private sunning beach, on-site seafood restaurant and family-friendly water activities. La Siesta Resort & Villas is a 4-star Islamorada resort collection property with villas, an outdoor pool, a private beach and marina — a good alternative if you want villa-style rooms and easy access to the same Resort Collection amenities.
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Best for families and guests who want oceanfront rooms, a large pool area and on-site seafood dining with easy access to water activities.

Best for travelers who prefer a smaller, villa-style stay with a private beach, marina access and a quieter property within the same resort collection.
When Amara Cay Resort wins: Choose Amara Cay if you want larger property facilities (110 rooms), a zero-entry oceanfront pool, multiple on-site dining options (ReelCatch and Tiki Bar) and family-focused programming and activities.
When La Siesta Resort & Villas wins: Choose La Siesta if you prefer villa or cottage layouts, a smaller property with marina access and a quieter stay while still using the Islamorada Resort Collection shuttle and Rum Runner water taxi connections.
Bottom line: Both are 4-star Islamorada properties in the same Resort Collection and share access to many of the same amenities; pick Amara Cay for bigger on-site dining, pool and event spaces, and pick La Siesta for villa-style lodging and a more compact, quiet waterfront setting.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | La Siesta Resort & Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Mid-size oceanfront resort with active pool scene, dining venues and family programming | Smaller resort with villa/cottage accommodations, quieter waterfront atmosphere |
| Location | Atlantic-side oceanfront at Mile Marker 80; private sunning beach and stairway to water | Islamorada (Matecumbe) waterfront on Overseas Highway with private beach and marina on site |
| Size (guest rooms) | 110 guest rooms across 4 floors | 55 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21+ to check in | |
| Pools | Zero-entry oceanfront pool with in-pool loungers; pool hours 8 AM–sunset | One outdoor pool with poolside bar and loungers |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (poolside lunch/dinner) and Coastal Cup & Lounge | Cooked-to-order breakfast available (fee); poolside bar and resort dining access via collection venues |
| Spa & wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection provides massages, yoga and spa services (beach massages offered) | |
| Known for | Lighthouse views, large event/wedding capacities and active waterfront dining | Villa/cottage accommodations, marina access and quieter property footprint |
| Family & pet policy | Family-friendly; dog-friendly (up to two dogs, $50 nonrefundable fee per pet per night) | Family-friendly; pets allowed with surcharges (pet fee listed as USD 50 per pet, per day) |
| Property highlights | 110 rooms, Rum Runner water taxi to sister properties, on-site water sports and fitness center | 55 rooms, marina on site, free area shuttle and bicycle rentals |
Amara Cay sits on the Atlantic side of Islamorada at Mile Marker 80 with direct oceanfront access and views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Stay at Amara Cay for easy oceanfront access and active waterfront dining and pool areas.
La Siesta Resort & Villas occupies a waterfront spot in the Matecumbe area of Islamorada with on-site marina access.
Pick La Siesta if you want a smaller waterfront property with marina access and villa-style lodging.
Amara Cay offers a mix of oceanfront rooms and suites designed for families and groups, including lanai options and multi-bed suites.
Amara Cay gives more standard hotel-room inventory and family-sized suites on an oceanfront property.
La Siesta's inventory emphasizes suites, cottages and oceanfront casitas in villa-style layouts.
La Siesta suits travelers who want a cottage or suite feel rather than a conventional hotel room.
Amara Cay has on-site dining aimed at families and waterfront diners, plus a poolside bar and lobby lounge.
Choose Amara Cay for more on-site dining variety and active evening entertainment.
La Siesta provides breakfast-for-fee and access to Resort Collection dining across sister properties.
La Siesta is convenient for guests who plan to use on-site villa-style dining and the wider collection's restaurants.
Amara Cay focuses on oceanfront leisure with a zero-entry pool and a private elevated sunning beach.
Amara Cay is built around a lively pool/beach experience and easy access to water sports.
La Siesta offers a quieter outdoor pool and private beach plus marina facilities on site.
La Siesta delivers a quieter waterfront stay with marina access and small-pool amenities.
Amara Cay supports on-site wellness and an active nightlife schedule at its restaurants and bars.
Amara Cay blends wellness options with regular live-music nights and an active pool bar scene.
La Siesta guests use the same Collection spa services and enjoy more low-key evenings on-property.
La Siesta is a good base for spa-focused or relaxed evenings while still reaching Amara Cay's livelier outlets.

Amara Cay — room variety, larger pool and family programming make it easier for families and larger groups.

La Siesta — cottages, oceanfront casitas and suite layouts suit travelers wanting more apartment-style or villa accommodations.

Amara Cay — multiple restaurants, Tiki Bar activity and scheduled live music provide more on-site dining and evening options.

La Siesta — smaller footprint, marina and calmer pool area fit guests seeking a lower-key stay.
Yes. Both Amara Cay and La Siesta welcome guests of all ages; each lists a 21+ minimum for the primary guest checking in.
Yes. Guests at either property can access shared Islamorada Resort Collection amenities, including some restaurants and the Rum Runner water taxi and shuttle service.
Amara Cay has more on-site dining venues (ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, Coastal Cup & Lounge) and scheduled live music; La Siesta is smaller and leans on the collection for expanded dining.
Yes. Spa and wellness services are provided through Ooh la la at The Collection for guests at both properties.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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