Pines and Palms Resort

The resort's lovely grounds are dotted with tall, graceful palms and lush greenery, backed by the bright blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There's a relaxed atmosphere here and a tranquil, village-like setting. Guests are greeted in a cozy cottage where the small and simple front desk area resides. There's not much else in the lobby besides destination pamphlets and a small collection of souvenirs and beach gear for sale. Though there aren't any indoor public spaces, the resort's surrounding five acres offer plenty of space to lounge and relax, be it around the pool, at the poolside bar, or on the resort's stretch of beautiful white sandy beach. The majority of guests are couples, though plenty of families stay here too, given the space offered in some of the rooms.

The resort is situated on Islamorada's beach, right off of the Overseas Highway that stretches through the Florida Keys. Bud n' Mary's Dive Center, which offers scuba diving trips, is a 14-minute walk from the resort. The History of Diving Museum, a five-minute drive, features exhibits, events, and lessons related to diving. Theater of the Sea, a marine mammal park, and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, where visitors can walk along eight-foot-high quarry walls to see cross sections of ancient coral, can both be reached in under 10 minutes by car. There are many restaurants a short drive away from the hotel, though there's not much within walking distance. The Florida Keys Marathon Airport is 40 minutes away by car.

The hotel offers rooms, suites, cottages, and villas in a variety of sizes, the largest of which has three bedrooms and can sleep up to six people. The bright and airy units feature beachy, modern decor with light-colored furnishings accented by bursts of blue or turquoise in couches and colorful art on the walls. Some cottages even have attractive wood ceilings, adding to the charm factor. All units have up-to-date kitchens as well as spacious living and dining areas (except the Budget Efficiency units), and amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable, air-conditioning (though there have been some complaints of noisy units), and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are fairly basic and could use a few upgrades; some are a dated and feature unattractive tiling, with stand-up showers and small vanity sinks. Larger units have washers and dryers as well as whirlpool tub, and not all units have ocean views (guests should check ahead). All rooms receive daily cleaning service.

The resort has its own private sandy beach with fishing and swimming piers as well as lounge chairs. There's also a heated oceanfront pool with a poolside bar that offers a happy hour. Barbecue grills can be arranged upon request and a large selection of wine and beer is available through room service. The hotel lacks indoor public spaces, but the front desk is open 24-hours a day, and free coffee and tea are available in the reception area. There’s no fitness center or on-site restaurant, as many guests prefer the self-sufficient route and use the full kitchens in their rental. The hotel offers free parking, boat dockage, and Wi-Fi, plus bikes and kayaks are available for rent.