Islander Resort

The resort’s 1950s-era blue-and-white motel sign, seen from the Overseas Highway, hovers near a statue of a manatee holding a mailbox at the foot of the driveway, setting the tone for this property's quirky oceanside ambience. The pale-yellow resort is tucked into tropical greenery, and this hotel goes big on all things maritime. The work of Guy Harvey -- a locally famous artist who paints vivid underwater scenes -- is featured heavily throughout the resort, and the look throughout is simple, cheerful, and homey. The lobby has vaulted ceilings and large windows, while rattan furniture creates a modestly retro and beachy vibe. The overall atmosphere of the hotel is family-friendly and laid-back, with well-maintained grounds that include charcoal barbecue grills and picnic tables plus hammocks hanging from palm trees. Fishing enthusiasts can use the pier on the beach, but most guests hang out at the pools, where it can get lively with partiers and children playing in the water. The property, which also includes the Islander Bayside Townhouses, attracts mostly families with children, and couples seeking reasonably priced rooms in the Florida Keys.

The resort is set on an 1,100-foot-long manmade beach in Islamorada, with rocks on the shoreline and one access point to the water. A fishing pier, where guests can rent fishing poles or use their own gear, is on the property, along with Islander Watersports. The Keys History and Discovery Center is across the street from the resort. Shops plus a few bars and restaurants line the roads branching off from the Overseas Highway, including the famous Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar, which is only a six-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel is a 10-minute drive to the Theater of the Sea, and the History of Diving Museum is a three-minute drive from the hotel -- it's a bit further to the Dolphin Research Center, which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Key West is about two hours away by car, and Key Largo is a 30-minute drive. Expect a 90-minute drive to Miami International Airport.

The hotel includes 114 rooms and one-bedroom suites with vaulted ceilings and fresh Florida beach-town decor. Rooms have kitchenettes, and suites come with full kitchens that include dishwashers, full-size refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, coffeemakers, and dining tables. Screened-in patios face the pool, garden, or ocean, and some rooms have picnic tables and barbecue grills outside. Suites also have living rooms. All units feature flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, irons, safes, pool towels, and free Wi-Fi. White-and-blue bathrooms have shower/tub combos, spacious granite vanities, and hairdryers, while accessible rooms have roll-in showers. Some suites come with jetted tubs. Beach towels are provided with rooms.

Two beachfront pools -- one freshwater and the other saltwater -- are the most popular feature at the resort, and both can get crowded. A hot tub is tucked away from the pools. The casual Guy’s Beachside Bar & Grill serves standard American fare and, of course, seafood with ocean and pool views. The breakfast buffet, which can be expensive, is popular and served in Bonefish Flats. Lounge chairs are on the man-made beach and on the pool deck, and hammocks are strung throughout the property, furthering the hotel's laid-back vibe. Water-sports rentals, fishing, basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard are available as well. The beach is wide and has coarse sand, though don't expect to stroll right into the water. Large rocks block most direct access, and there is only one point at which to wade into the roped-off swimming area beyond the rocks.

In the reception building, the Outfitter Shop sells beach clothing, snacks, and has two computers and a printer. Massages can also be arranged on request at the Outfitter Shop. Pleasantly decorated event spaces -- a ballroom for up to 200 people, two meeting rooms, a boardroom, and outdoor areas -- suit beachfront business retreats and weddings. Free parking is available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.