15 Best Hotels in the Florida Keys
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Drive south from Miami, past Florida City, and the scenery quickly shifts from big-box stores and suburban sprawl to mangroves, sea, and sky. The multi-lane turnpike gives way to two-lane bridges—slender ribbons of road suspended between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. So begins the 120+ mile journey to and through the Florida Keys, across 42 bridges and through a captivating chain of islands strung together like a shell necklace. Each Key has its own personality, so whether you lean barefoot and wild, quietly refined, or unapologetically festive, there’s one to match your mood.
First up, Key Largo. Yes, it’s dotted with kitschy roadside stops, but take a turn off the highway and you’ll find quiet coves, coral reefs, and a mellow, water-loving pace. Just beyond, Islamorada shines with fresh-caught seafood, world-class sport fishing, and those famed violet sunsets (the island’s name, after all, means “purple” in Spanish). Soon, revel in 360-degree water views as you cross the famed Seven Mile Bridge, connecting the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys. Upon landfall, keep an eye out for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Little Torch Key, the launch pad for America’s most coveted private island escape: Little Palm Island. Closer to the end of the archipelago and just north of Key West, Stock Island offers a grittier, more local vibe with working docks and a growing number of upscale surprises.
And, finally, there’s Key West. Its anything-goes energy, sun-faded charm, and fiercely independent spirit have drawn wanderers for generations. Though connected to the mainland since 1938 by US Highway 1, the so-called “Conch Republic” has always marched to its own beat and even once tried to succeed from the US. Here, guesthouses and grand resorts coexist on an island that still feels a little like its own country.
Just like the islands themselves, the Florida Keys are home to a wide range of places to stay—from intimate hideaways to luxe, full-service resorts. Here, we present fifteen of the best.
Read our Key West travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best hotels in the Florida Keys
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
hotelThree Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
$$$Opened in 2025, Three Waters Resort & Marina in Islamorada merges the best of the Middle Keys into one sprawling, 214-room waterfront retreat (where it’s possible to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points—huzzah!). Set across 15 acres and fronted by the sea, the property unfolds across seven numbered buildings—each with its own architectural flair. What were once separate hotels have gradually come together to form a cohesive (and skillfully designed) whole, most recently with the former Postcard Inn joining Pelican Cove under the same banner. The rooms now share a uniform, island-inspired design: fresh, modern, and full of charm. With plenty of space to roam, you’ll find a little something for everyone: multiple pools, a marina, fishing piers, lawn games, and nine culinary concepts—including an unusually good pizza joint and the iconic Tiki Bar, which claims to be the birthplace of the original Rum Runner cocktail.
hotelLa Concha Key West, Autograph Collection
$$Following a $35 million face lift to celebrate her 99th birthday in 2025, La Concha delivers an unbeatable mix of style and substance, combining rich history with modern energy in a prime Duval Street location. The 160 rooms and suites strike a balance between modern style and island charm, with leafy wallpaper, handsome headboards, and artwork by local artists that nod to Key West’s quirky spirit—think roosters and vintage island scenes. The "Conched Out" Do Not Disturb signs add a playful touch. The seventh-floor Grand Dame Villas at the Rooftop feel like a hotel within a hotel, with just seven rooms decked out in a sophisticated red palette, black-and-white flamingo wallpaper, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Telescopes invite you to take in the views, and blackout curtains close at the push of a button. Specially designed robes serve as a luxurious keepsake.
The Marker Waterfront Resort Key WesthotelThe Marker Harbor Resort
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Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023Just steps from the buzz of Old Town and Duval Street, The Marker Harbor Resort feels like a secluded hideaway, with over two acres of tropical gardens, three pools, and a cluster of double-story white clapboard cottages. The 96 rooms and suites reflect contemporary coastal style—clean lines, oversized windows, and carpets that mirror the movement of the waves outside. Natural light pours in, while vibrant pillows and artwork give a nod to the island setting without feeling cliché. The harborfront location–and overall Marker vibe–offers the best of both worlds: relaxed but connected, lively without chaos, luxurious without the fuss, and cool without trying too hard.
Curio Collection by HiltonhotelBaker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Open since February 2019 in Key Largo, Baker’s Cay Resort has been a hit with Traveler readers from the jump. It spans 15 tropical acres that were once a pineapple plantation tucked away off the busy Overseas Highway. The resort has 200 rooms but manages to maintain a boutique and intimate feel with winding nature trails throughout leading to quiet beaches. Rooms—including lavish suites with views of Florida Bay—have handcrafted wood furnishings, custom tile work in the bathrooms, and hardwood floors. On-site dining includes waterfront taqueria Dry Rocks, and Caribbean-Creole cuisine with bay views at the more upscale (but still Florida Keys casual) Calusa restaurant. Other amenities include a kids’ camp, two swimming pools with a waterfall grotto, and hammocks everywhere. The resort is super pet-friendly, too: dogs can swim in the water, walk on the beach, escape the sun in dedicated dog tikis, and even enjoy “yappy hour” specials.
Little Palm Island Resort & SpahotelLittle Palm Island Resort & Spa
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Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This adults-only private island is a study in tropical chic, redefining the castaway fantasy right on American soil. There are a total of 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites (some freestanding, some within larger bungalows) across the four-acre island, many with four-poster beds and outdoor copper bathtubs. Thanks to a smart layout and smarter landscaping, you’ll encounter other people less often than you’d expect (a strict cap of 60 guests helps). All suites have water views, outdoor showers, and furnished decks; most also overlook private slivers of white-sand beach and are kitted out with hammocks, loungers, and fire pits. The Dining Room has sweeping sea views, and the spectacular SpaTerre complex is underscored by a breezy, two-story atrium. Paddleboard or kayak through mangrove mazes as eagle rays swim by, laze the day away on a beachfront hammock, or simply enjoy the day resting on a poolside lounger.
Isla Bella Beach ResorthotelIsla Bella Beach Resort
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024We’ll forgive you for wondering if this is Marathon or the Mediterranean. The whitewashed, Greek-inspired architecture and the eye-catching blue and white interiors set a sophisticated tone at this family-friendly resort. Elegant and upscale without any trace of pretense, it is one of the Keys’ best resorts. Every room has an ocean view. You had us there, but Isla Bella outdoes itself with a soothing blue and white design that looks every bit like Ralph Lauren’s beach house. It’s located on Knights Key in Marathon, midway between Miami and Key West. It’s a perfect location for exploring the Florida Keys. It’s the total package with nearly a mile-long private beach, five pools, a marina, waterfront restaurants, and a large spa. Is it worth it? In a word: absolutely. You’ll find European-style elegance without the sticker shock or long flight.
Cheeca Lodge & SpahotelCheeca Lodge & Spa
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024With a fascinating history dating to 1946, Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge has hosted the who’s who of politics, Hollywood, and fishing royalty over the decades, most notably President George Bush Sr. in the 1980s and 1990s (who, in fact, for 10 years hosted “The George Bush Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament.” ) Accommodations are spread across a massive campus and vary greatly by enclave. The most coveted units include the Premiere Oceanfront Suites of the 43-room Premier Tower, completed in fall 2022, as well as the Casitas, a collection of 11, two-bedroom stand-alone villas, which share their own beach, tennis court, and swimming pool. Thanks to a long stretch of sandy beach, three pools, a nine-hole golf course, and extensive programming, there’s never a shortage of things to do in the greater Cheeca resort. However, given that it houses the longest pier in the Florida Keys, a preferred activity among repeat guests entails languid days at the ocean’s edge, beer in hand, trying to reel in a catch.
Burlap & Blossom LLC/Courtesy OmbihotelOmbi
$$$In a place as unconventional as the Florida Keys, it’s only fitting that some accommodations break the mold. Enter Ombi, a trio of floating bungalows that blur the line between anchored houseboat and pared-down overwater villa—an offbeat, Instagram-worthy alternative to the standard resort stay. Just five minutes by boat from Key Largo’s waterfront, Ombi’s bungalows sit peacefully in Tarpon Basin, surrounded by mangroves, emerald water, and pods of dolphins. Once there, you’re blissfully marooned—but in a way that invites adventure. Each unit comes with a kayak and paddleboard for exploring the nearby waterways, a swim ladder for easy dips, and decks that open to the water on both sides. Accordion-style glass doors dissolve the barrier between indoors and out, and a king-sized bed faces a wide lookout window. The layout maximizes views and natural light. The setting itself does the heavy lifting—calm, scenic, and wild. Ombi isn’t a full-service resort, so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks. However, there’s an upgraded option that includes a stocked mini-fridge and hot breakfasts and dinners delivered by boat.
Scott Baker/Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph CollectionhotelPlaya Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Opened in fall 2017, this family-friendly property is idyllic for those looking to enjoy the amenities and predictability of a trusted brand while collecting Marriott Bonvoy points along the way. The resort comprises four, three-story towers with the lion’s share of guest rooms, a collection of ten colorful two-story bungalows dubbed “The Hammocks,” and a three-bedroom “Beach House'' with its own pool and waterside lawn. The resort has skillfully engineered a long sandy beach above its seawall—and segued the two with actual steps from the beach into the Florida Bay. Here, you’ll find the likes of both water and beach cabanas, free-standing hammocks (propelled by metallic spheres), splashing pups (the property is very pet-friendly), and Caribbean-inspired waterfront restaurant, Sol by the Sea. On property, also look forward to a colossal zero-entry pool, a full-service spa with six treatment rooms, a kids club, and three additional restaurants.
Islander ResorthotelIslander Resort
The circa 1950s Islander Resort is making waves in 2025 thanks to a comprehensive, retro-chic reimagination. While the original iconic sign above US1 Mile marker 82.1 remains, everything else at the 24-acre resort has changed. First up are the rooms, which were radically transformed from motel-like confines (dressed in a Tommy Bahama design of yore) to tropical chic, open-plan bungalows, beautifully embellished in modern wood and rattan furnishings with private outdoor terraces. Beyond the rooms, the resort has taken full advantage of its impressive 1,700 linear feet of beachfront—in fact, the largest privately owned beach in the Florida Keys—adding a dining pavilion, a bocce ball court, a miniature golf course, and more. The resort’s two pools have received upgrades as did restaurants Elements and Tides Beachside Bar & Grill. Outside of the resort proper, Islander also has townhome-style Bayside Villas, located ¾ of a mile north, for those who want the luxury of larger accommodations but easy access to all the trappings of a larger resort.
Islands of IslamoradahotelThe Islands of Islamorada
$$$Though a no-frills mantra reigns supreme in Florida’s laid-back Middle Keys, the Islands of Islamorada resort presents a welcomed, luxe alternative within the island chain. Comprising 22, triple-story, stand-alone villas and 8 ocean suites, this secluded, gleaming white enclave is idyllic for stylish, multi-generational vacations. Clever design allows for prolific outdoor space among each villa while light seaside chic interiors complement endless views of ocean blues and surrounding coconut forests. Two swimming pools, a private beach, marina, state-of-the-art fitness center, and pickleball courts further enhance this self-contained campus of leisure and luxury. A partnership with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) allows guests to participate in conservation-minded discovery programs and even learn more about the Keys’ underwater world through free online resources. Those traveling with their own small watercraft do not need to pay for a slip at the on-site marina.
Courtesy of Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by HiltonhotelCasa Marina Key West
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020Opened on New Year’s Day in 1920 by Henry Flagler, Casa Marina has lived many lives over the last century, under multiple brands and even more attempts to revive its original grandeur. Following an $80 million renovation, Key West’s grande dame returned to peak form in 2025 with a fresh, tropical-inspired take on the historic property located on the southern edge of the key, where its private beach sets the stage for a new chapter of refined island living. All 311 rooms and suites have been completely redone inside, down to the patterned flooring and up to the wooden roof trusses, and feature tasteful assemblies of rattans, woven fabrics, wooden furnishings, and open cabinetry that screams new-meets-old tropical chic. The property's 1,100 feet of private beach is the largest in Key West, giving it the feel of a true tropical beachfront resort. Its location means it’s a slightly longer walk to Duval Street—but the peaceful setting more than makes up for it.
Courtesy The Perry Hotel Key WesthotelThe Perry Hotel & Marina Key West
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021Tucked away on Stock Island, a land bridge away from Key West, is the surprisingly modern, naval-inspired Perry Hotel, named for military figure Commodore Perry, who in 1822, planted the US flag in Key West and claimed the Florida Keys as United States territory. The open-plan lobby and 100 guest rooms feature nautical art from Stock Island artists, beginning with a full story of upcycled propellers framing the check-in area and maritime artifacts draped from the entrance ceilings. Rooms are artsy, bright, and beachy, with spacious balconies yielding marina, resort, or sunset views. On-site, there are 300 boat slips, two swimming pools, dockside benches, multiple fire pits, and three solid restaurants, the newest of which is the dockside Mexican restaurant, Bad Boy Taqueria and Tequila, opened in late 2023. This property tends to attract those keen on exploring the Keys’ vast water world—immediate, on-site access to top outfitters in fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and diving is a key consideration.
Key West Historic InnshotelWinslow's Bungalows
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021A campus of multiple, white-washed cottages and former homes cast predominantly in classic Key West architectural style, Winslow’s Bungalows is a history-steeped retreat two blocks from Duval Street. Formerly part of the Kimpton portfolio, the 85-unit property still oozes retro-chic decor and draws a cool (often pet-obsessed) crowd. Not much has changed since reintegrating into Key West Historic Inns Collection in January 2024: Winslow’s retains an intimate setting, where you’ll feel more like a guest in a private home than in a hotel. Several pools, including a large heated one, and lots of relaxation nooks (hello: hammocks) dot the beautifully landscaped enclave, and continental breakfast is a standard inclusion in all stays. Though Winslow’s remains pet-friendly in life after Kimpton, there is a nightly fee worth noting ($50 per pet, per night). Considering the campus houses one of Key West’s oldest homes and oldest lodging, dating to 1856, it’s worth asking the front desk for a quick primer in Winslow’s history.
Courtesy Oceans Edge Resort & MarinahotelOceans Edge Resort & Marina
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2022On Stock Island, an active commercial fishing hub east of Key West, lies this 175-key property, which fronts a sprawling marina. It comprises four identical coastal cottage-style buildings of three stories apiece, housing ocean-inspired rooms with balconies or terraces granting marina or mangrove views. The resort occupies a massive 20-acre swath, lush with mature tropical plants and active with bobbing boats at every turn. There's sparkling water everywhere—and that includes six pools on property, around which you’ll find loungers, cornhole, ping pong tables, giant chess, and live music on weekends. At the tiki hut area, discover a calm lagoon for non-motorized watersports and a pick-up/drop-off point for the resort’s complimentary shuttle bus to Duval Street in neighboring Key West (running 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily). It’s a popular choice for those visiting the lower Keys with their own boats—marina spaces can be booked separately via the dock master.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
