Is Amara Cay Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Amara Cay Resort is worthwhile for travelers who want oceanfront rooms, an onsite pool and beach access, and easy access to water activities and resort dining. It may be less appealing if you want a large natural swimming beach, strictly budget lodging, or if you prefer full-board (all-inclusive) packages.
In this guide
Location & access
Amara Cay Resort sits on the Atlantic side of Islamorada at 80001 Overseas Hwy, at roughly Mile Marker 80. The property is oceanfront, with views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
The resort is part of the Islamorada Resort Collection and offers internal transfer options (a local shuttle and the Rum Runner water taxi) that connect guests to sister properties and nearby on-water attractions. Confirm transfer schedules with the resort before arrival.
- Address: 80001 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Rum Runner water taxi connects Amara Cay with sister resorts and their restaurants
- Complimentary local shuttle service is available between nearby mile-marker locations
| Nearby activity or landmark | How the resort describes access |
|---|---|
| Alligator Reef Lighthouse | Visible from pool and beach areas; reef snorkeling offered nearby |
| Indian Key Historic State Park | Reachable via boat-based excursions |
| Bud n' Mary's Dive Center | Short walk from the property according to resort materials |
Rooms — what to expect
Room types range from standard guest rooms to multiple suite configurations; examples include Standard King Room, Room, Oceanfront, Lanai options, Studio Suite, and several Suite layouts such as Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront and Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront.
Many rooms list balconies or lanais and options for king beds, two queen beds, and sofa beds; confirm the exact bed setup when booking since some room types (for example Room, Oceanfront and Room, Oceanfront, Lanai) can sleep up to four guests.
- Exact room names to look for: Standard King Room; Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds; Room, Oceanfront; Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront
- Some suites show separate living areas and kitchenettes (e.g., Suite living/kitchenette listings on property materials)
- Wheelchair-accessible rooms and elevator service are available
| Sample room types | Typical occupant/bed info |
|---|---|
| Standard King Room | 1 King Bed (or 1 King Bed + Double Sofa Bed option) |
| Room, Oceanfront | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (sleeps up to 4) |
| Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront | 2 Queen Beds + Double Sofa Bed (sleeps up to 6) |
Pool, beach and water activities
The resort features a zero-entry pool located near the ocean's edge with pool loungers positioned for lighthouse and reef views. Pool hours are from 8:00 AM to sunset.
Lighthouse Beach is a private elevated sunning area with chaise lounges and thatched huts; it is described as a sunning beach rather than a large natural sand swimming beach, and a stairway provides access for snorkeling and reef exploration.
- Zero-entry oceanfront pool with view toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse
- Private elevated sunning beach (Lighthouse Beach) with loungers and huts
- On-site non-motorized water activities included with resort experience: kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving available
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pool hours | 8:00 AM – sunset |
| Beach type | Private sunning beach; stairway access for snorkeling |
| Included water gear | Kayaks and paddleboards available as part of resort offerings |
Dining & nightlife
On-site food and drink options include ReelCatch (seafood-focused breakfast and dinner), the poolside Tiki Bar (lunch, dinner and cocktails), and Coastal Cup & Lounge in the lobby area. Both ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar are open to the public.
ReelCatch serves breakfast and dinner with a daily Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Lobby Bar; the Tiki Bar also runs a Happy Hour and live music on select evenings. Reservations are accepted at the resort restaurants.
- ReelCatch: breakfast and dinner (check current hours on property site)
- Tiki Bar: poolside lunches, dinners and cocktails; cabana reservations available
- Lobby bar (Coastal Cup & Lounge) offers morning coffee and bar service with a daily Happy Hour
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| ReelCatch | Breakfast & Dinner; seafood-forward menu |
| Tiki Bar | Lunch & Dinner; poolside cocktails and casual fare |
| Coastal Cup & Lounge | Lobby bar service and Happy Hour |
Amenities, spa and practical details
A resort fee applies and—according to resort materials—includes enhanced Wi‑Fi, pool and beach access, fitness center access, parking, non-motorized watersports equipment, and use of the Rum Runner water taxi between collection properties. Exact fee amounts vary across booking channels; confirm the current charge directly with the resort.
Spa and wellness services are provided under the Ooh la la at The Collection brand; the resort also offers beach yoga and massages. The front desk is staffed 24/7, the fitness center has extended daily hours, and the property is cashless (card payments only).
- Resort fee typically covers Wi‑Fi, parking, kayaks/paddleboards, pool/beach access and shuttle/water taxi benefits
- Ooh la la at The Collection provides spa services and beach massages (book via the spa contact numbers listed by the spa)
- Property is nonsmoking, offers laundry facilities, luggage storage, and 24-hour front desk
| Amenity | Details / hours where available |
|---|---|
| Fitness Center | Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Pool | Zero-entry; open 8:00 AM – sunset |
| Front desk | 24-hour service |
Events, weddings and meeting space
Amara Cay offers a variety of indoor and outdoor event venues: beach and lawn ceremony sites, a thatched Lighthouse Tiki pavilion with a built-in stage, the Reef Lawn courtyard, and a glass-enclosed meeting room called the Glass Bowl. The resort lists capacities for different venues and has meeting space for conferences and weddings.
Wedding and event capacities vary by venue; the resort's wedding information references celebrations up to about 150 guests and multiple outdoor ceremony and reception spaces. Event planners should confirm capacities and rental rules directly with the hotel because published numbers differ across sources.
- Event spaces include Lighthouse Beach, Palm Isle Beach, Reef Lawn, Back Pool Deck, Lobby event space and the Glass Bowl
- Glass Bowl/’Fish Bowl’ is suited for smaller groups; larger outdoor venues accommodate wedding-sized gatherings
- Event planners should verify exact capacities, rental fees, and time restrictions with the resort
| Sample venue | Typical maximum (as listed by resort materials) |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Tiki Venue | Up to ~300 (listing varies; confirm with resort) |
| Lighthouse Beach | Up to ~200 |
| Glass Bowl | Smaller meetings up to ~40–50 |
Who should book — pros and cons
Good fit: travelers who want oceanfront or lagoon-facing rooms, on-site water activities (snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving arrangements), pool and beach lounging with resort dining, and wedding/event hosting options.
Less good fit: travelers who need a large natural sand swimming beach, those looking for an all-inclusive experience, or guests who want guaranteed late check-out or free cancellations without checking the resort’s stated policies.
- Pros: oceanfront rooms and views, zero-entry pool, on-site dining (ReelCatch and Tiki Bar), included non-motorized water gear with resort fee, 24-hour front desk and wheelchair-accessible rooms
- Cons: mandatory resort fee with varying published amounts across booking sites, no true natural sand swimming beach (sunning beach with stairway for snorkeling instead), some extra items (like breakfast) are paid add-ons
| Typical traveler | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families and active water-sport guests | Recommended — family-friendly activities and kids program nights at ReelCatch |
| Budget travelers wanting full-board | Less recommended — meals are mostly paid à la carte and resort fees add to cost |
| Couples planning a small wedding | Recommended — multiple oceanfront and lawn venues available |
