Spread across 12 waterfront acres in the Florida Keys, Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort is a collection of upscale tropical Victorian-style homes divided into multi-story two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens and water views. There are also a handful of guestrooms without ocean views. With a private beach, three pools (including one adults-only), and an array of on-site water sport activities available, the property is a great fit for vacationing families. A waterfront tiki bar is a scenic spot to sip cocktails, but a car is needed to explore outside of the resort.
Spread across 12 waterfront acres in the Florida Keys, Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort is a collection of upscale tropical Victorian-style homes divided into multi-story two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens and water views. There are also a handful of guestrooms without ocean views. With a private beach, three pools (including one adults-only), and an array of on-site water sport activities available, the property is a great fit for vacationing families. A waterfront tiki bar is a scenic spot to sip cocktails, but a car is needed to explore outside of the resort.
**This hotel has reopened following the impact of *Hurricane Irma* in September 2017, though the restaurant and marina were damaged during the storm and are currently closed. We will update our review as soon as we have more information.** Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon is a three-story, 134-room (including 24 suites) hotel located a five-minute drive away from the Florida Keys Marathon Airport. Situated in one of the quieter island communities, the hotel offers water sports at the on-site marina but does not have its own beach. Rooms are modern and clean, but thin walls mean some rooms can be noisy.
**This hotel has reopened following the impact of *Hurricane Irma* in September 2017, though the restaurant and marina were damaged during the storm and are currently closed. We will update our review as soon as we have more information.** Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon is a three-story, 134-room (including 24 suites) hotel located a five-minute drive away from the Florida Keys Marathon Airport. Situated in one of the quieter island communities, the hotel offers water sports at the on-site marina but does not have its own beach. Rooms are modern and clean, but thin walls mean some rooms can be noisy.
The two-pearl Sea Dell Motel is a budget-friendly stay centrally located in Marathon, about a five-minute drive from the public Sombrero Beach. The 25 rooms are full of kitschy decor and bright colors, plus useful amenities such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Being a value property, amenities are limited to a well-maintained pool and laundry facilities, though most guests spend their days exploring the area. Those who fancy something a little more modern, however, might want to look to the two-and-a-half pearl Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon, but expect higher rates.
The two-pearl Sea Dell Motel is a budget-friendly stay centrally located in Marathon, about a five-minute drive from the public Sombrero Beach. The 25 rooms are full of kitschy decor and bright colors, plus useful amenities such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Being a value property, amenities are limited to a well-maintained pool and laundry facilities, though most guests spend their days exploring the area. Those who fancy something a little more modern, however, might want to look to the two-and-a-half pearl Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon, but expect higher rates.
Offering its own boat docking services and marina, as well as a lighthouse restaurant, Hyatt Place's Marathon Florida Keys takes the chain up a notch. It has an excellent central location, just off the main highway linking all of the archipelago's small islands. Built in 2014, the hotel's decor is modern and fresh, though a bit more corporate than island feel. The 125 rooms are similarly contemporary with generic chain furnishings, plus flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Two outdoor pools, a spacious gym, and free hot and cold breakfasts round out the amenities. Guests looking for a more vacation-feel hotel might look to the three-pearl Little Conch Key, a romantic boutique that also has a marina.
Offering its own boat docking services and marina, as well as a lighthouse restaurant, Hyatt Place's Marathon Florida Keys takes the chain up a notch. It has an excellent central location, just off the main highway linking all of the archipelago's small islands. Built in 2014, the hotel's decor is modern and fresh, though a bit more corporate than island feel. The 125 rooms are similarly contemporary with generic chain furnishings, plus flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Two outdoor pools, a spacious gym, and free hot and cold breakfasts round out the amenities. Guests looking for a more vacation-feel hotel might look to the three-pearl Little Conch Key, a romantic boutique that also has a marina.
Tropical Cottages, located in Marathon, offers a no-frills experience in the Florida Keys. The budget two-pearl property includes 12 cottages and three-bedroom suites, but all in all is lacking in modern appliances. Rooms could use a renovation, and there are few on-site amenities. It may also be worth considering the nearby Banana Bay Resort & Marina, which offers rooms for around the same price but also has a pool and tennis courts.
Tropical Cottages, located in Marathon, offers a no-frills experience in the Florida Keys. The budget two-pearl property includes 12 cottages and three-bedroom suites, but all in all is lacking in modern appliances. Rooms could use a renovation, and there are few on-site amenities. It may also be worth considering the nearby Banana Bay Resort & Marina, which offers rooms for around the same price but also has a pool and tennis courts.
Casual and quiet, this family-run, budget resort has Gulf of Mexico views at a value. Each of its 11 guest rooms and suites has its own look and feel, though all of them have microwaves, fridges, and beachy decor, and some have full kitchens or balconies. The grounds aren't overly manicured -- instead there's a jungle feel, complete with an assortment of birds and reptiles in thatched-roof cages. Guests are free to use the property's bikes, boats, and BBQs, and while the area is fairly low-key, there are some restaurants nearby. Travelers looking for a mainstream chain and hotel amenities should consider the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon, which is comparably priced.
Casual and quiet, this family-run, budget resort has Gulf of Mexico views at a value. Each of its 11 guest rooms and suites has its own look and feel, though all of them have microwaves, fridges, and beachy decor, and some have full kitchens or balconies. The grounds aren't overly manicured -- instead there's a jungle feel, complete with an assortment of birds and reptiles in thatched-roof cages. Guests are free to use the property's bikes, boats, and BBQs, and while the area is fairly low-key, there are some restaurants nearby. Travelers looking for a mainstream chain and hotel amenities should consider the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marathon, which is comparably priced.
The Coral Lagoon Resort & Marina has 25 airy, cheerful cottage units that dwarf typical hotel rooms. They're tasteful and homey, with a tropical color palate of yellows, greens, and blues; full kitchens; porches; and high-tech amenities including flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, and iPod docks. Its location on Marathon makes it popular with sport fishermen, and the property's marina make it especially convenient for guests with boats. The lack of services makes it a better fit for do-it-yourself travelers, however; those looking for more pampering and less space should head to Cheeca Lodge on Islamorada.
The Coral Lagoon Resort & Marina has 25 airy, cheerful cottage units that dwarf typical hotel rooms. They're tasteful and homey, with a tropical color palate of yellows, greens, and blues; full kitchens; porches; and high-tech amenities including flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, and iPod docks. Its location on Marathon makes it popular with sport fishermen, and the property's marina make it especially convenient for guests with boats. The lack of services makes it a better fit for do-it-yourself travelers, however; those looking for more pampering and less space should head to Cheeca Lodge on Islamorada.
