
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and couples who want oceanfront rooms, a private sunning beach, and easy access to Islamorada attractions.
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Amara Cay Resort is a 4-star oceanfront Islamorada resort with a zero-entry pool, private sunning beach, family-friendly activities and on-site seafood dining. Lime Tree Bay Resort is a relaxed waterfront Long Key resort with multiple outdoor pools and marina/dock access — useful for travelers widening their search beyond Islamorada.
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Best for families and couples who want oceanfront rooms, a private sunning beach, and easy access to Islamorada attractions.

Best for travelers who want a relaxed Long Key base with multiple pools, dock/marina access, and convenient proximity to Long Key State Park.
When Amara Cay Resort wins: choose Amara Cay if you want direct oceanfront rooms on Islamorada’s Atlantic side, a zero-entry pool, private elevated sunning beach and a resort program of on-site water activities and sister-property transfers.
When Lime Tree Bay Resort wins: choose Lime Tree Bay if you prefer a quieter Middle Keys waterfront location on Long Key with three outdoor pools, on-site dock access and a smaller, well-reviewed property to use as a base for nearby state parks and fishing out of Long Key.
Bottom line: both are good Middle-Keys picks but suit different needs — Amara Cay is the more active, oceanfront, family-oriented resort in Islamorada; Lime Tree Bay is a relaxed Long Key option with more pool choices and marina access.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | Lime Tree Bay Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Oceanfront family resort with active waterfront programming and nightlife (live music, Tiki Bar). | Relaxed waterfront resort on Long Key focused on pools, dock access and outdoor recreation. |
| Location | Mile Marker 80, Islamorada (Atlantic/ocean side). | Long Key, Florida (waterfront on the Middle Keys). |
| Size (rooms) | 110 guest rooms across 4 floors. | 73 rooms (listing notes 73 air-conditioned rooms). |
| Ages | 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 published. | Three outdoor pools (listed on supplier listing). |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (poolside lunch/dinner) and Coastal Cup & Lounge. | Long Key Bar and Grill (on-site) and a bar/lounge (1). |
| Spa & wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection provides on-site spa services, plus beach yoga and massages. | Not published |
| Beach / water access | Private elevated sunning beach (not a traditional sand swimming beach) and a stairway for snorkeling access. | On private beach and waterfront/dock access; marina nearby. |
| Activities & signature features | On-site kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, Rum Runner water taxi to sister properties, guided ecotours and fishing nearby. | Water sports nearby (sailing, kayaking, snorkeling listed), dock and marina access, close to Long Key State Park. |
| Parking | Self-parking included via resort fee (details on resort fee vary). | |
Amara Cay sits at Mile Marker 80 on the Atlantic side of Islamorada with oceanfront views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Choose Amara Cay for oceanfront Islamorada access and short local transfers to other Resort Collection properties.
Lime Tree Bay Resort is a relaxed waterfront property on Long Key close to Long Key State Park.
Choose Lime Tree Bay for a quieter Long Key base near state-park trails and waterfront recreation.
Amara Cay offers 110 rooms in oceanfront, partial ocean view and suite configurations across 4 floors.
Amara Cay is better if you want oceanfront lanai rooms and a larger range of suite/family options.
Lime Tree Bay Resort has about 73 air-conditioned rooms and a broad list of studio, suite and multi-bedroom townhouse options.
Lime Tree Bay works for travelers needing studio kitchenettes or multi-bedroom townhomes near the water.
Amara Cay runs on-site dining geared to seafood and casual poolside meals.
Amara Cay is focused on seafood and poolside fare with multiple on-site venues and scheduled live music.
Lime Tree Bay Resort has an on-site restaurant and bar and provides cooked-to-order breakfast availability for a fee.
Lime Tree Bay offers straightforward on-site dining and easy access to nearby Keys restaurants; expect fewer on-site venues than Amara Cay.
Amara Cay’s signature water features are a zero-entry pool and a private elevated sunning beach with snorkeling access.
Pick Amara Cay for a true oceanfront pool/beach experience and direct snorkel access from the property.
Lime Tree Bay highlights its waterfront setting with three outdoor pools and dock/marina access.
Choose Lime Tree Bay for multiple pool options and easy watercraft access from the property’s dock/marina.
Amara Cay combines an on-site spa program with evening live music and a lively Tiki Bar atmosphere on selected nights.
Amara Cay is stronger if you want spa treatments plus after-dark live music and a social poolside bar.
Lime Tree Bay’s resort listing emphasizes relaxed waterfront recreation; specific on-site spa hours or a branded spa are not published in the supplier listing.
Lime Tree Bay is a lower-key choice for wellness and evenings; check the property directly for spa services or event schedules.

Amara Cay — oceanfront rooms, zero-entry pool and a private elevated sunning beach with snorkel stairway.

Lime Tree Bay Resort — three outdoor pools plus dock/marina access and close proximity to Long Key State Park.

Amara Cay — spa services via Ooh la la, beach massages, yoga and an activity program (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling).

Lime Tree Bay — a relaxed waterfront resort on Long Key favored by guests expanding searches beyond Islamorada.
Amara Cay is explicitly family-friendly with water activities, a zero-entry pool and kid-friendly dining specials; Lime Tree Bay also welcomes families but presents a quieter, smaller-pool layout.
A dedicated branded on-site spa is not published in the supplier listing; the property lists yoga classes and wellness options but spa details are Not published.
Amara Cay offers oceanfront rooms and ocean views; Lime Tree Bay is waterfront and offers waterfront and canal-view room types, including Waterfront Studio with King Bed & Kitchenette.
Lime Tree Bay lists dock and marina access and is convenient for boating; Amara Cay offers fishing and boat-charter options nearby through Islamorada marinas and activity desks.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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