A recent visit to Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys confirmed its ranking as a family-friendly resort. Sitting on 60 acres on the islet of Duck Key in the Florida Keys, the resort has something for everyone and offers an air of tranquility, partly in lieu of a staff that seems to really love their jobs and is eager to share their bit of paradise with guests. It’s located on Duck Key, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Key Largo is 46 miles north, and Key West is 16 miles south. It’s a 2-2-1/2 hour journey from Miami or Fort Lauderdale airports.
The hotel recently finished a resort-wide renovation that added to its family-friendliness. They overhauled its kids club, home to the famed pirate ship pool and Island Adventure Camp, with the addition of a synthetic turf playing field and a new putting course. The resort boasts a total 402 villas and hotel rooms, four restaurants, a saltwater lagoon, five swimming pools, an award-winning spa as well as onsite watersports, fishing charters and Dolphin Connection facility.
Our room was extremely spacious and comfortable. The main hotel has guest rooms featuring classic West Indies island décor. It’s color palette and textures contribute to the rooms’ cozy, relaxed vibe. Each room has wireless Internet access, a large flat-screen LCD TV, marble showers and baths, a desk with chair, a balcony and a Keurig coffee maker.
There is so much to offer kids at Hawks Cay. There is a full service marina with fishing, paddle boarding, sunset sails and jet skiing, a saltwater lagoon for swimming and playing and much more. The “Indies Club” is the resort’s kids club at Hawks Cay where they offer activities with educational. The resort also offers bike rentals, sports fields, and volleyball and basketball courts. The highly skilled team of tennis professionals, led by Head Tennis Pro Michael Stedronsky, offers clinics, mixers, camps and lessons for all ages and skill levels
The Dolphin Connection is the only resort‐based program of its kind where guests can interact and swim with dolphins in their natural environment and it is the only facility in the mainland U.S. that offers free public viewing of trained dolphins. The resort offers both a brief encounter and a more complete experience that involves swimming with them in the water. Together with a certified trainer, we were able to interact with two dolphins, which was an absolute delight.
We had so many options for food at Hawks Cay, always an incentive for parents of picky eaters. Ocean is the resort’s main dining room, featuring a stone pizza oven and design that embraces the look and feel the resort. They offer a buffet or a la carte menu with plenty of options that appeal to children and a relaxing environment. The Beach Grill provides the family‐oriented areas of the pool and saltwater lagoon with a casual menu of delicious fresh seafood, sandwiches and salads for easy lounge chair‐style dining and a beautiful oceanfront view. Indies Grill is located in the Indies Club and offers yummy meals and snacks for kids of all ages. For families who don’t want to leave the room, the hotel offers full room service. For families who take advantage of the resort’s offering of evening childcare, there is Alma, a more upscale culinary experience.
Disclosure: Holly’s visit to Hawks Cay was complimentary to facilitate this review but all opinions stated are her own.
Sandra Foyt says
Good to know! I passed Hawks Cay Resort when I drove through the Florida Keys last month, and wondered what it was like. I’m planning to return with my family next year, and will definitely consider this resort for our stay.
Holly says
It’s funny that we were there at the same time, Sandra! Definitely a place to visit on a future trip. You’ll love it.