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Before a busy Disney World journey, we have been on the lookout for pure rest and seaside time and selected Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo.
This pretty small resort is a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and has extra individuality and up to date island model than you’d anticipate from a sequence resort.
Baker’s Cay is among the few inns within the Florida Keys with a sandy seaside (most on the island chain are rocky), which was a giant think about our resolution to remain there.
The lush, tree-filled grounds add to the tropical, enjoyable vibe, and the wildlife is plentiful—we noticed dolphins, a manatee, and large iguanas.
In this Baker’s Cay Resort evaluation, I share the highs and lows of the resort, together with our ideas on its rooms, seashores, meals, actions, location, and extra.
Contents
Rooms at Baker’s Cay Resort
Coconut Wing vs Hammock Wing at Baker’s Cay
The 200 rooms at Baker’s Cay Resort are divided into two wings.
The Coconut Wing is on the coronary heart of the motion and overlooks the primary seaside with one of the best seaside and ocean views.
The Hammock Wing overlooks the a lot quieter Hammock Beach and is a bit of farther from reception and the eating places (though nowhere is just too far).
There are many timber on this space so most ocean views are obscured with simply glimpses of water by way of the vegetation.
If you need an ocean view in both wing, you need to pay further for a waterfront room. The least expensive rooms overlook the parking zone on the again and can have extra street noise. If you wish to spend time in your balcony, go for the waterfront.
I additionally suggest requesting a 4th-floor room (the best degree). This will get you one of the best likelihood of an ocean view (peeking over the timber), and within the Coconut Wing, you’ll have extra privateness.
I liked our waterfront room within the Coconut Wing, however I might additionally take into account a 4th-floor waterfront room within the Hammock Wing. It’s a bit of cheaper and quite a bit quieter.
If you wish to watch the motion, have a view of sand, or get to the primary seaside as rapidly as potential, select the Coconut Wing.
Our Waterfront Room within the Coconut Wing
We booked a King Waterfront room within the Coconut Wing and requested a 4th-floor room on arrival. We needed to wait a bit longer (we arrived a bit of earlier than the 4pm check-in), however it was price it.
A big tree would have obscured our view if we’d been decrease down.
We actually favored our room. It was spacious with a King-sized mattress (you can too e book rooms with two Queens) plus a seating space with a sofa, espresso desk, and armchair.
It had all of the services you’d anticipate—air-con, TV, espresso maker (annoyingly solely with paper cups), an empty mini fridge, and loads of storage.
The toilet was pretty spacious, clear and trendy, with a big walk-in bathe.
The room decor was impartial and nothing particular, however that didn’t trouble me once I had a stunning view of the turquoise ocean.
Our balcony was a spotlight, with two chairs and a small desk. We had drinks, performed playing cards, and ate our room service dinner right here. It was perfect for watching the motion on the primary seaside, and on the 4th flooring, we didn’t really feel ignored.
The sliding doorways to the balcony protected us surprisingly properly from the noise on the seaside, though we may hear stay music on weekends.
The entrance door, which results in a hall open to the weather (overlooking the parking), protected us much less properly from the street noise, however it wasn’t too dangerous.
The largest difficulty we had with our room was with housekeeping. On arrival and virtually day-after-day of our keep, the flooring weren’t cleaned correctly, so there was all the time sand round.
They additionally modified the towels day-after-day (with no choice to reuse) however usually ran out. So, on a number of events, we got here again to our room within the afternoon to seek out no towels and needed to hunt some down.
Although our housekeeping points have been resolved once we introduced them up, it was annoying on the value we have been paying.
Baker’s Cay Beaches
Baker’s Cay Resort has two seashores with very completely different vibes simply minutes from one another.
Both are small and sandy with calm, clear, shallow water. The water is right for youngsters or simply hanging out with a cocktail, however you don’t need to exit too far to swim.
Beach towels are situated in automated machines. Use your room key (which is on a helpful wristband) to open them and take what you want, and be sure you return your towels to the machine otherwise you’ll get charged.
Coconut Beach
Coconut Beach is the primary seaside. There are a number of solar loungers (not padded sadly, however comfortable sufficient) and floating platforms within the water which can be a stunning place to chill out.
There’s a water sports activities centre the place you may borrow kayaks and paddleboards without cost (extra on that under), and a Tiki bar for cocktails and meals (delivered to your seat).
Sometimes actions happen right here—we performed bingo one afternoon.
There aren’t any umbrellas, however timber present some shade. There have been all the time solar loungers obtainable on our mid-November go to.
Coconut Beach is by far the busier, noisier seaside (with music taking part in), particularly on weekends.
Our technique was to start out at Coconut Beach within the morning, sit within the solar and use the paddleboards and platforms, after which transfer to Hammock Beach by late morning/noon when Coconut Beach was busier and we received too scorching.
Hammock Beach
Hammock Beach was our favorite seaside at Baker’s Cay and actually made our keep extremely enjoyable.
It has a way more pure setting than Coconut Beach, beneath a shady cover of timber with iguanas and squirrels darting round.
We liked how peaceable it was with far fewer folks and extra space between the solar loungers and Adirondack chairs scattered round.
Despite the identify (which refers back to the cover of timber), there’s just one hammock.
Although it feels removed from all the things, you may order on-line to get meals and drinks ordered to your chair, and the pool bar (with bogs) isn’t too distant.
We even noticed a manatee whereas swimming off Hammock Beach!
Baker’s Cay Restaurants
There are two eating places and two bars at Baker’s Cay Resort. Plus a espresso cart with pastries within the foyer on some mornings.
You can cost all the things to your room along with your wristband, however be aware {that a} 20% service cost is added to all orders.
We had deliberate to eat outdoors the resort for some meals (most eating places are a drive away), however we ended up consuming each meal at Baker’s Cay throughout our five-night keep.
We liked enjoyable within the resort bubble and located there was sufficient alternative (whilst vegetarians) to maintain us from getting too bored.
We did convey some fundamental breakfast stuff, snacks, and drinks with us, although, and we’re glad we did. Breakfast isn’t included in most leeway charges and is kind of expensive.
For the eating places under, I’ve famous the opening instances throughout our keep, however these could differ at different instances of the yr. You get an data information when checking in with hours and particular occasions.
Dry Rocks
Dry Rocks is the place we ate essentially the most. The restaurant has a big terrace (plus indoor seating) overlooking Coconut Beach. The meals is Mexican-focused with the addition of pizza and pasta within the evenings.
The cocktails (with many variations of margaritas) have been nice and we loved the veggie tacos, Mediterranean flatbread, and Key Lime Pie essentially the most. The pizza is simply okay.
I checked out menus for fairly a number of eating places within the Keys and Dry Rocks has extra vegetarian choices than most.
There’s stay music right here on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dry Rocks is open from 11am till 10pm.
Tiki Bar
The Tiki Bar on Coconut Beach has some bar seating however most individuals (together with us) order to their solar loungers.
There’s a big selection of cocktails (together with a number of fruity frozen concoctions) that we very a lot loved and a lunch menu just like Dry Rocks (tacos, salads, sandwiches and many others).
The Tiki Bar is open from 11am till sundown.
Calusa
Calusa is a extra formal restaurant on the highest flooring overlooking the timber and ocean.
It’s the one place open for breakfast (besides the espresso cart). It’s a la carte with no buffet.
We ate breakfast right here as soon as and loved our pancakes, avocado toast, and potatoes.
We skipped dinner at Calusa because the vegetarian choices weren’t very thrilling, however it does get good opinions. The focus is seafood and it’s dearer than Dry Rocks.
Calusa is open for breakfast Monday to Saturday (7am -11am) and dinner (5-10pm) day-after-day. On Sundays, brunch is from 11am – 1pm.
The Pool Bar
Much much less visited than these above is The Pool Bar, which has a unique cocktail menu (we loved the assorted pineapple drinks) and a few fundamental lunch snacks like grilled cheese sandwiches.
We would pop by right here to seize a cocktail when enjoyable on Hammock Beach.
It’s open from 11am – 5pm.
Room Service
Room service is another choice at Baker’s Cay with a menu just like Dry Rocks.
The $5 cost was price it to us one night time as we have been capable of eat on our balcony and get monetary savings with our personal drinks.
Facilities and Activities
Pools
There are two swimming pools at Baker’s Cay—an grownup pool and a household pool—separated by a waterfall.
They are set again from the seaside, surrounded by greenery however nearer to the street. They are good sufficient however nothing particular.
We most popular to hang around on the seaside, however it’s good to have an alternate place to chill out at busy instances.
Note that the swimming pools don’t open till 8am.
Water Sports
There’s a water sports activities hut on Coconut Beach the place you may hire gear or be part of fishing excursions and sundown Tiki boat journeys.
One hour a day of kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) use is included within the resort charge. The gear is a bit crushed up, however it labored okay (ensure your SUP has a fin for stability).
Note that if you wish to go outdoors the roped-off space and paddle down the coast, you’ll must take a life jacket and whistle.
There’s a quite lengthy waiver course of the primary time you borrow gear (take your cellphone to finish it), however after that, it was straightforward.
We did get pleasure from paddleboarding, however it was windy on our keep so it was arduous work in a single path.
If you aren’t an skilled paddleboarder, watch out going outdoors the roped space and concentrate on the wind path (paddle into the wind first).
Other Facilities at Baker’s Cay
- Water refill stations all through the resort.
- Store with fundamental snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
- Gym
- Free bike rental
- Table tennis
- Pool desk
- Library
Daily Activities
There are many free actions every day at Baker’s Cay, so the resort is ideal for youths.
You’ll be given a schedule if you check-in. You can anticipate actions similar to:
- Daily fishing from the dock
- Arts and crafts
- Silent disco
- Beach bingo
- Trivia quiz
- Sunset yoga
- Boot camp
- Smores
- Family pool video games
- Outdoor household film night time
Sunset Bubbly
Our favorite every day exercise was the complimentary glowing wine given out at sundown from a cart by the dock. It’s a stunning ritual on the finish of every day.
Coconut Beach doesn’t have one of the best sundown view, however for those who stroll to the tip of the dock, you may see the solar sinking under the horizon. Look out for dolphins—we noticed them twice near the dock!
Meeting and Function Rooms
There are varied rooms for occasions within the resort. Weddings are extremely popular right here in winter—there was one virtually each night time of our keep.
Location of Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo
Baker’s Cay Resort is situated on Key Largo, the primary island within the Florida Keys when driving from Miami. Find it on Google Maps.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), 65 miles and a few 1 hour 15 minute drive to Baker’s Cay.
The resort is 95 miles and simply over two hours from Key West International Airport (EYW).
You actually need a automotive to entry the resort.
We drove from Orlando (earlier than our Disney World journey), which is 5 hours from Baker’s Cay. It took us 6.5 hours with two breaks, together with getting lunch and stocking up with snacks at Trader Joe’s in Palm Beach Gardens.
Key Largo
Key Largo itself was a disappointment. It doesn’t really feel like an island as a giant freeway cuts by way of the slim strip of land, and also you principally can’t entry the water besides by way of inns or non-public property.
That stated, we didn’t discover the island because it was too windy to take the snorkelling journey we had deliberate. We additionally hoped to kayak by way of the mangroves at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
I’m certain there are some beautiful components of the island, and getting out on the water is gorgeous, however our first impressions weren’t nice. That was high quality for us as we needed a calming resort keep anyway.
If you might be on the lookout for a working route, there’s a path throughout the busy street outdoors the resort. It was practical however not significantly nice.
Baker’s Cay Highs and Lows
Highs
- Beautiful lush grounds.
- Stylish decor in widespread areas.
- Two sandy seashores (uncommon within the Keys).
- Quiet Hammock Beach.
- Ocean views from some rooms.
- Water sports activities (kayaks and paddleboards included).
- Lots of actions (particularly for youths).
- Seeing dolphins and manatees.
- Fairly small resort really easy entry out of your room to the seaside.
- Free bubbly at sundown.
- Good cocktails from all of the bars.
- Decent vegetarian meals at Dry Rocks.
Lows
- Very costly.
- You can hear the street from many of the resort (we did cease noticing it).
- The seashores are small and loungers are shut collectively on Coconut Beach.
- Housekeeping points.
- Weekends are busier.
- Lots of weddings within the low season.
- The cost for not returning towels to machines.
Recommended For
Families and {couples} on the lookout for a calming seaside resort within the Florida Keys.
Cost
Baker’s Cay Resort is dear. In November, we paid $800 an evening, together with tax, resort charge, and parking for a King Waterfront Room within the Coconut Wing. Breakfast was not included.
Rates fluctuate all year long, and a room with out an ocean view is cheaper, however you may nonetheless anticipate to pay $550 an evening, together with all charges. You’ll need to determine for those who’ll be proud of a view of the parking zone.
The $49 every day resort cost consists of WiFi, bikes, paddleboards and kayaks, fishing rods and bait, varied actions, every day sundown toast, and two aluminium water bottles (supposedly reusable, however I might convey your personal).
Check Baker’s Cay Resort on Booking for the newest costs and availability.
You may discover particular offers in case you are a Hilton Honors member and e book direct on the Baker’s Cay Resort web site.
Baker’s Cay Review Summary
Your enjoyment of Baker’s Cay Resort will rely in your expectations. While you might be paying luxurious costs, this isn’t actually a luxurious resort. Instead, you might be paying for the situation and the uncommon sandy seashores.
While the service (particularly housekeeping) may be missing, and the room decor is nothing particular, we quickly relaxed into the resort’s laid-back vibe and actually loved our keep.
We liked having an ocean view from our room and two seashores simply minutes stroll away. Hammock Beach was good for us as we all the time had a quiet place to chill out, even on busier weekends.
We additionally loved the free paddleboards, seeing dolphins and manatees, and lots of scrumptious cocktails.
While the resort is family-friendly with many free actions, it additionally works for {couples} on the lookout for a quieter keep (though I’d keep away from college holidays).
More Florida Tips
If you might be on an extended Florida journey, try our guides to Disney and Universal in Orlando:
Disney World
Universal Studios Florida
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