Cheeca Lodge Islamorada

Construction being done at the hotel and we were not informed. Then there was the Palmetto bug in the room late in the evening and when I informed the front desk it was as though I was disturbing them.Certain employees at this hotel acted like they didn't care at all about the guests.

We stayed at the Cheeca in March. The room was in dire (and I do mean dire) need of refurbishing, which apparently they are doing, but hadn't reached our room yet. That didn't mean we got any discount, though. Our 2 bedroom suite was over $800/night, plus tax.The beach (if you can call it that) is a disappointment. I had never been to the Keys, but knew there weren't many beaches, so specifically asked about the beach and was reassured there was one. If you call truckloads of imported sand poured onto a stone retaining wall overlooking brackish algae-filled water a beach, then the Cheeca's for you. If you want a place where you can walk into the water, where your children can wade and body surf, etc. Forget it.The food was very good, but service was abominable (okay in the very pricy Atlantic Edge).Our bedroom had one tiny lamp making it impossible to read, the bathroom cabinets were rotting, the showers were mildewy. It was just a disappointment all the way around. Decor was closer to a budget motel than luxury hotel.We've stayed at several Rockresorts and never been disappointed until now. Even though Rockresorts is in the process of selling the Cheeca (I found out when I complained), I doubt I will be interested in staying at another without first checking it out more thoroughly. There name no longer means much to me after our Cheeca experience.

My husband and I just returned from 6 nights at the Cheeca Lodge, where we were delighted to spend our 10th wedding anniversary. Having "just visited" the Cheeca during our last Keys trip (we stayed at the Westin in Key Largo in 2001), we knew we wanted to make it the location of our next trip. When you drive into the entrance, you pull up in front of the main lodge, which is a large, tiled courtyard with palm trees throughout. The lodge lobby has a comfortable elegance -- and ocean views.We stayed in a Deluxe Lodge Room with a king-sized bed on the top floor (4th) of the main building. The bed was somewhat bouncy but still provided a great night's sleep. The bathroom was small, and could use some upgrading. The lodge rooms are the oldest on the property, and the rate I received through my travel agent for six nights was about $725 including tax -- we had originally reserved for five nights, and then received the sixth night free. This averages to only $120 per night INCLUDING tax! This rate was fantastic, considering the surroundings and services. By comparison, the Courtyard Marriott we stayed in in Philadelphia the night before our trip cost $103!We were charged a resort fee of $10 plus tax per night -- we earned it back every day thanks to the many 1-liter bottles of spring water we were supplied every day, which kept us hydrated in the sunny 88 degree heat. The resort fee also includes use of tennis courts and racquets, fishing poles and line, and local and 800 phone calls.The Cheeca features a nice-sized free form pool on the beach, a LARGE rectangular pool outside of the Avanyu spa, and a great saltwater swimming lagoon where you could swim and snorkel. This pool is populated by several different kinds of native fish, including colorful "Sergeant Majors." Like many Keys hotels, the sand beach is not a true swimming beach like you might find further north in Florida. Each pool gave you a different experience -- we spent time at all three.The Cheeca Lodge has some of the mred. We particularly enjoyed Dixie, a native of Jamaica whose friendliness puts you in a "Keys" mood the minute you come up to the lodge entrance, and Annie, one of the many outdoor servers who provide quick, friendly drink and food service whether you're lying poolside or down the beach under a palapa.Additional amenities that we took advantage of at the Cheeca included FREE computer and Internet access, Hobie Cat rental ($45 per hour), and reduced-drink prices during daily Happy Hour at the Curt Gowdy Lounge. The Cheeca also offers snorkeling trips, deck boat and other boat rentals.Although we didn't eat many of our meals at the Cheeca, we did have one fantastic dinner at the Atlantic's Edge restaurant. My husband had skate wing and Rack of Lamb, while I enjoyed Crispy Yellowtail Snapper. We also enjoyed several delicious Jerk Mahi Dolphin sandwiches during some lazy afternoons on the sand.While we actually visited the Cheeca "off season," everything about our trip was perfect. The Cheeca Lodge is perfectly situated less than five minutes from many fantastic restaurants, nightspots, and fishing and boating locations.My husband and I can't wait to get back to the Cheeca!

While the restaurant was decent and the grounds were attractive, we would not choose to stay here again. We found broken glass in the bathroom and a door off it's hinge there, overflowing garbage outside....the beach is a disappointment, the pools crowded. We did not find the staff to be particularly solicitous. At this price we expect somewhat more. However, it's a very kid friendly place. This was a couple of years ago...perhaps they've improved things.

Stayed here in Feb. 2003 during our 1st trip to the Keys. An absolutely wonderful, first class facility. They offered a great deal in February that included a full breakfast buffet that was outstanding. The staff and service are top notch. We continued on to Key West after 4 nights, and also stayed in Key Largo. Cheeca Lodge was the highlight of our trip. We would not hesitate to go back.

The Cheeca is beautiful. We stayed for 3 days in January with an outstanding Bed and Breakfast rate. (Normally, the Cheeca is a bit pricey.) Everything is wonderful, staff included. Their pools, their spa, their restaurants, and the food. My 8 year old son loved golfing their par 3. (We didn't get a chance to use the Kids' Club.) We spent 2 weeks at various hotels in the Keys, and the Cheeca was by far the best. We should've stayed at the Cheeca last because nothing else came even close!!!

Cheeca was beautiful, but a bit pricey. Other than the cost, it was clean and classy. Lots to do on the grounds - kids loved fishing off the pier. Good restaurants close by.

We just returned from a weekend in paradise. Cheeca is a real oasis in the Keys. The food, service and atmosphere were all outstanding. Employees really seemed to love their jobs and took great care of us. Can't wait to return.

I was at the Cheeca Lodge during July. It was a disappointing experience: Rock Resorts promote Cheeca as a small and luxury hotel. It is neither small (over 200 rooms, within a small building) nor luxury ( not luxury at all!!): maintenance is poor, painting looked old, not quality materials ( rather cheap ones; no marble at all, for example) and service is poor. We were near the pool: noise was terrible all day. It is not a romantic escape, as they say. It is just a medium quality hotel, with an ok quality food and not worth more than 100U$S per night. It is not worth what they charge: 300 U$S/night. I would not come back if I looked for a luxury hotel.

This is a wonderful resort with everyting you can ask: fishing, snorkeling, scuba, par 3 golf. The big plus is that it is wonderful with or without kids; there are so many things for them to do, they will never get bored. Finally, add world class food to all of this and you have a vacation that can not be beat.