Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort

The Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort occupies 17 acres of pretty, tropical grounds between the Overseas Highway and Blackwater Sound. The hotel’s 153 rooms and suites are housed in several four-story white buildings set around a freeform pool with a tiki bar and bay views. Loungers and palm trees line the pool and, although there is more concrete than grass, the small gardens are pleasant and well-maintained.
This older property has been partially refurbished, and while some areas feel fresh and mostly contemporary, others are in need of some attention, including some rooms. The lobby is light and airy, with high ceilings and simple furniture in blue hues placed along huge windows offering views of the driveway. White beams and chocolate-brown accents in carpets and the front desk stand out against the cream-colored walls, lending the space a relaxed, beachy style. Restaurants and bars have a slightly older design, with plain terra-cotta floor tiles, simple wicker furniture, and blue and aquamarine accents. Still, the property has a laid-back vibe, and the bay views from most common spaces and some rooms are beautiful. The atmosphere ranges between quiet and relaxing in the off-season and busy during school vacation periods, when the property is full of families with young children.

The Marriott is located on the northern side of Key Largo, right off the Overseas Highway, which connects all the Keys to mainland Florida. Key Largo is the largest Key and has attracted tourists for years due to its proximity to one of the country's only living coral reefs -- hence the chain restaurants and shopping malls that dot the road. There are many beaches in the area, but they’re all manmade and small, including the hotel’s own stretch of sand. The real draws here are the diving, snorkeling, boating, and other water activities, all of which can be arranged at the resort. In addition, the Marriott is located a five-minute drive from the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Several local attractions, such as the Harry Harris County Park and the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, can be found within a 20-minute drive of the resort. The nearest airport is in Miami, located about an hour away by car, while it takes an hour and a half to get to Fort Lauderdale Airport.

The hotel has 153 rooms spread over several four-story buildings, some overlooking the bay and some offering views of the Overseas Highway. Most rooms have received fresh layers of paint and some cosmetic touch-ups, but many still have the original striped blue-and-green carpets and heavy wooden furniture (that in some cases is a tad worn), which make them feel somewhat dated. Renovated units have wooden floors and contemporary furniture, including clean-lined couches, headboards, and work desks. Navy bed runners, chrome accents on lamps, and dark wooden coffee tables are simple touches that add some style. All rooms, however, are clean and have large windows that let in lots of sunlight. Many -- but not all -- have furnished balconies. Suites come with one or two bedrooms and feature full kitchens with dishwashers, stovetops, and ovens, as well as living spaces with sofa beds and dining tables.
Standard amenities are good for the price and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and safes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Pillow-top beds are topped with thick duvets, and each bed has at least four pillows. Bathrooms are clean but simple, with basic shower/tub combos, granite counters with oval sinks, and beige floor tiles.

Just like most other waterfront resorts in the Keys, the Marriott has its own private beach. It is small and manmade, but features a couple dozen loungers, umbrellas, a handful of rope hammocks, and a beach volleyball court. There is also a small marina and a dive shop offering motorized and non-motorized water sports for a fee. Adjacent to the beach is the hotel’s heated outdoor pool, complete with a shallower area for kids, a whirlpool, and a tiki bar with food and drinks. Gus’ Grille is the hotel’s all-day restaurant, serving up international cuisine in a casual space with bay views. Room service is available for a fee from early in the morning until after dinner.
The spa is small but pleasant, and offers a wide array of body treatments, including wraps, scrubs, and massages, as well as salon services. The 24-hour gym isn’t big either but it’s equipped with several cardio and strength-training machines and free weights. The hotel also features over 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space -- including nine meeting rooms -- plus indoor parking (for a fee). A maximum of two pets per room are allowed for a non-refundable fee.