The luxurious Sunset Key cottages reside on a private island.

Best Hotels in Key West, Florida and the Lower Keys

1. Sunset Key Cottages 

Sunset Key Cottages offers one- to four-bedroom luxury cottages on a private island, minutes from Key West. The resort features a white-sand beach, a large tropical pool, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and water activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, and sailing excursions. Parents might enjoy ducking out to the spa one afternoon, too!

2. Southernmost Beach Resort

Situated at the end of Duval Street, Key West's main drag, Southernmost is located on one of the largest beaches in the city. Amenities include three pools (one for adults only), a fitness center, bike rentals, lawn and beach games, parasailing, and Jet Skiing. The resort is within walking distance of many famous Key West attractions, including Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

3. Margaritaville Beach House

Soak up the island vibes at Margaritaville, where families can stay in a room or a one- or two-bedroom suite. The resort features a lagoon-style pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a variety of activities for all ages. Kids will love the complimentary popsicles by the pool and the daily lemonade and freshly baked cookies in the lobby.

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Swim at the private beach at the laid-back Parmer's Resort in Little Torch Key.

4. Parmer’s Resort — Little Torch Key

Families visiting this resort can enjoy a private beach area, swim in an outdoor heated pool, explore the waters on a paddleboard or kayak, and play lawn games. A daily breakfast buffet and afternoon coffee, cookies, and lemonade are also included for resort guests. Nearby, explore the beaches of the popular Bahia Honda State Park or go snorkeling at Looe Key Reef. Accommodations at Parmer’s Resort include cottages, suites, and standard rooms.

5. Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa

The rooms at this gulf-side Key West hotel feature private balconies and large living spaces. Families can enjoy a large heated outdoor swimming pool, water activities like Jet Skiing and snorkeling, bicycle rentals, and two on-site restaurants. Dogs up to 50 pounds are welcome, too.

6. Parrot Key Hotel & Villas

If you want to be separate from the hustle and bustle yet close enough to explore Key West's most popular attractions, Parrot Key is a great choice. This lush hideaway provides free shuttle service to the island's main drag, Duval Street, and to its largest beach, Smathers Beach (beach towels and chairs are included). The resort itself has four pools (one adults-only), a restaurant, and a variety of rooms, sweets, and villas. 

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The bayfront Baker's Cay Resort offers plenty of water sports.

Best Florida Keys Hotels and Resorts in the Upper Keys

7. Baker’s Cay Resort — Key Largo

Baker’s Cay features 15 acres of bayfront adventures for the whole family. Cay kids can enjoy activities such as eco-classes, nature walks, pool games, scavenger hunts, and movie nights. Other amenities include two waterfall pools (one for adults only), a "dock to dish" fishing program, parasailing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and more. Larger suites are available in addition to guest rooms to accommodate larger families.

8. Cheeca Lodge & Spa — Islamorada

This 27-acre beach-side resort has nearly 300 luxurious rooms and villas, including over 40 premier oceanfront rooms. Enjoy a private white-sand beach, two oceanfront family pools and one adult pool, two tiki bars, water sports, lighted sports courts, a 525-foot fishing pier, a nine-hole golf course, a spa and fitness center, several restaurants, and a Camp Cheeca program for kids.

9. Hampton Inn — Key Largo

This hotel made our list for its affordability and its proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, just a 10-minute walk away. The Hampton Inn offers guest rooms with balconies or patios, mini fridges, and microwaves. Additional amenities include a private beach area, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a picnic area, and kayaking. Enjoy a free daily breakfast buffet.

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Islander Resort & Islander Bayside

10. Islander Resort & Islander Bayside Villas — Islamorada

The Islander offers over 100 ocean-side rooms and suites, as well as townhouse-style villas overlooking the bay. Resort amenities include two saltwater pools, a kids' splash pad, beach games, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, mini golf, bicycles, daily group activities, three beach-side and more. There is also an on-site Florida Keys History and Discovery Center.

11. Reefhouse Resort & Marina — Key Largo

Formerly the Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort, this 17-acre resort includes a private beachfront, a large pool, and plenty of water sports. It’s also located near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, so there’s plenty for kids to do. One- and two-bedroom suites are available in addition to standard guest rooms.

12. Playa Largo Resort & Spa — Key Largo

Our writer and his family loved their stay at Playa Largo—just check out his glowing review. The gorgeous resort features a zero-entry pool with poolside activities, four on-site restaurants, water sports like parasailing and snorkeling, and one of the few true beachfronts in the rocky Florida Keys.

13. La Siesta Resort & Villas — Islamorada

Though La Siesta has a variety of suites and villas, kids would most enjoy staying in the bright, candy-colored cottages right on the white sand. The heated, zero-entry pool is open year-round, and the poolside bar and grill has a kids menu. Bonus: Guests of La Siesta get access to all the amenities, restaurants, and activities at its two sister resorts, Three Waters Resort & Marina and Amara Cay Resort (see below).

14. Three Waters Resort & Marina — Islamorada

This Marriott resort is aptly named for its three beaches and three pools. The on-site Angler's Arcade has both classic and modern video games, and families can enjoy activities like scavenger hunts, fishing lessons, pizza-making classes, neon foam parties, beach games, water sports, and free bike rentals. A pizza place, a soft-serve ice cream window, the Florida Keys' first tiki bar, and a Starbucks are just some of the on-site dining options.

15. Amara Cay Resort — Islamorada

A zero-entry pool, an elevated beach, water sports, ocean-side golf, an on-site restaurant, and daily activities await at Amara Cay. When you need a change of scenery, ride the free Rum Runner Water Taxi to one of two sister resorts, La Siesta and Three Waters Resort. All rooms have mini-fridges and Keurigs, and some have private balconies or patios. 

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Enjoy the beach or the pool at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key.

Best Florida Keys Hotels and Resorts in the Middle Keys

16. Hawks Cay Resort — Duck Key

This luxury resort is located on secluded Duck Key. The main attraction is the private lagoon complete with dolphin encounters. Hawks Cay also features four pools and an abundance of kids' activities, including a pirate-ship splash pad, a playground, supervised camps, and more. The resort's event calendar includes fun for all ages, from pirate treasure hunts to pickleball clinics. Roomy accommodations range from luxury rooms to tropical villas that can sleep eight.

17. Isla Bella Beach Resort — Marathon

With over 24 oceanfront acres, every room and suite in Isla Bella has an outdoor terrace and an ocean view. The resort boasts a huge tropical pool, three smaller pools, a private beach area, a marina, complimentary bike rentals, yard games, and more. There’s also a packed resort calendar with fun activities such as digging for shark teeth, a gelato happy hour, and hermit crab races. Don't forget to visit the resort's resident manatee!

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Stay in a private beach house at Tranquility Bay Beach Resort, so all the kids actually sleep.

18. Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort — Marathon

Tranquility Bay offers both guest rooms and private beach houses, a 2.5-acre swimming beach on a private bay, two on-site restaurants, and three pools—a zero-entry lagoon-style pool, an adults-only pool, and a tropical garden pool. Other on-site activities include water sports, volleyball, a putting green, and more, Directly next to the resort is Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, a home for injured sea turtles dedicated to their rehab and release.

19. Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort — Key Colony Beach

Choose from a variety of resort rooms, suites, and villas at this beachfront resort. Guests can enjoy two waterfront pools stocked with floats and beach toys, kayaks, paddleboards, beach cruiser bicycles, a waterfront fitness center, and beach games. There is also an on-site market, café, and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

20. Coco Plum Beach & Tennis Club & Marina — Marathon

Looking for a home away from home for your Florida Keys family vacation? Coco Plum offers two-bedroom, two-bathroom vacation condo rentals that sleep six, each with a full kitchen, a washer/dryer, a screened-in-porch, and a wet bar. Enjoy the beachfront heated pool and the on-site tennis court.

All photos courtesy of the Florida Keys resorts and hotels