Islander Resort – Islamorada Resort Review
Last updated: August 28, 2026
Choose Islander Resort if...
- You're a family wanting beachfront bungalows with multiple pools, four dining venues, and seaside sports
- You're a couple wanting oceanfront or bayside suites with beach access and sunset cruises
- You want complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, and snorkeling across 24 acres
Skip Islander Resort if...
- You want a full-service spa — Islander offers only guided yoga and salt scrubs
- You're a boater needing marina access — consider Three Waters or Cheeca Lodge
- You're watching costs — a $60/day resort fee adds to quoted rates
AskTheKeys Traveler Match
How well does Islander Resort fit your trip?
Before you book — the one trade-off
Islander is a sprawling beachfront playground, but there's no marina and the spa is minimal — and a $60/day resort fee sits on top of the rate.
AskTheKeys Decision SummaryIslander Resort is best for families, couples, and active travelers wanting a 24-acre oceanfront-to-bayside resort with private beach, multiple dining venues, bungalow and villa accommodations, saltwater and freshwater pools, complimentary water sports, and seaside sports in Islamorada. It is not ideal for luxury seekers wanting spa services or boaters needing on-site marina access.
Choose Islander if you want beachfront bungalows with multiple pools, four dining venues, and seaside sports for the family. Skip it if you want a full-service spa or marina, or want to avoid a $60/day resort fee.
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Before You Book
The details that matter after you've narrowed down your options.
Best for
- Families wanting beachfront bungalows with multiple pools, four dining venues, and seaside sports for kids
- Couples seeking oceanfront or bayside suites with modern amenities, beach access, and sunset cruises
- Active travelers wanting complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, snorkeling trips, and sports courts
- Pet owners wanting a pet-friendly beachfront resort across 24 tropical acres
Not ideal for
- Luxury seekers wanting spa services — Islander has no full-service spa; guided yoga and salt scrubs available
- Boaters wanting marina access — Islander has no marina; consider Three Waters or Cheeca Lodge
- Budget-conscious travelers — the $60/day resort fee adds to quoted room rates
Quick facts
| Address | 82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (305) 664-2031 |
| Check-in / Out | 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Parking | On-site (complimentary, included in resort fee) |
| Pets | Yes (fee may apply) |
| Beach access | Yes |
| Pool(s) | Yes |
| Spa | No |
| EV charging | No |
Location & nearby
Islander Resort is located in Upper Matecumbe Key within Islamorada.
What's nearby
- Cheeca Lodge & Spa(0.3 mi, 6 min walk)
- Theater of the Sea(2 mi, 40 min walk)
- Robbie's Marina (Tarpon Feeding)(4.5 mi, 90 min walk)
- History of Diving Museum(1 mi, 20 min walk)
- Islamorada Fish Company(0.3 mi, 6 min walk)
- Founders Park(1.5 mi, 30 min walk)
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park(3 mi, 60 min walk)
- Anne's Beach(6 mi, 120 min walk)
Amenities overview
Property highlight features
- Private Atlantic beach with direct ocean access and bayside villa dock
- 114 bungalow-style rooms plus 25 two-bedroom bayside villas with full kitchens
- Saltwater and freshwater pools with cabana rooms offering private pool access
- Four on-site dining venues: Tides Beachside Bar, Drift on the Beach, Coccoloba Beachside Bites, Sandy's Bar
- Seaside Sports: PuttTek putting course, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, cornhole, bocce ball
- Complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, pier fishing, and local transport (included in resort fee)
- Ocean excursions from Sunrise Pier: snorkeling, fishing, eco tours, sunset cruises
- 24-hour fitness center and pet-friendly across all room types
Pricing positioning
Typical nightly pricing tends to fall in the $$$ range, depending on season and room type.
mid-range to upper-mid beachfront resort with dining, sports, and water activities
Compare current room availability and secure member-only pricing.
We handle our lodging checks through Expedia's network engine so you can lock in hidden seasonal discounts and stack your One Key™ rewards points across different island brands.
Independent Decision Engine
Florida Keys Resorts operates as a fully objective, crowdsourced review system. We do not accept paid placements from hotels to alter their scoring records. Instead, we use standardized API connections to provide transparent third-party rate checks for our community.
How Islander Resort Compares to Other Islamorada Resorts
Islander Resort vs Cheeca Lodge & Spa
- Islander Resort wins:24-acre beachfront resort with bungalows, four dining venues, seaside sports, and complimentary water sports at mid-range rates
- Cheeca Lodge & Spa wins:full-service luxury resort with spa, golf, marina, fine dining, and kids' programs at premium rates
Islander Resort vs Amara Cay Resort
- Islander Resort wins:24-acre oceanfront-to-bayside resort with bungalows, four dining venues, seaside sports, and ocean excursions
- Amara Cay Resort wins:contemporary hotel-style resort with live music, complimentary breakfast, and social poolside atmosphere
Islander Resort vs Casa Morada
- Islander Resort wins:family-friendly 24-acre beachfront resort with four dining venues, pools, seaside sports, and pet-friendly policy
- Casa Morada wins:adults-only boutique with 16 suites, bayfront setting, personalized luxury, and no beach
Islander Resort vs La Siesta Resort & Villas
- Islander Resort wins:24-acre resort with four dining venues, seaside sports, ocean excursions, and pet-friendly bungalows
- La Siesta Resort & Villas wins:Islamorada Resort Collection member with Tulum-inspired cottages, four dining venues, marina, and water taxi to sister resorts
FAQs
Does Islander Resort have a beach?
Yes. Islander Resort has a private sand beach on the Atlantic oceanfront side — one of the few genuine resort beaches in Islamorada. The resort also stretches to the bayside, where its 25 villas have their own pool and dock access.
What types of rooms does Islander Resort offer?
Islander Resort offers 114 bungalow-style guestrooms (Ocean View King, Partial Ocean View King, Tropical View King, Orchid Junior Suite, Plumeria Oceanfront Suite, Cabana Poolside rooms, Lighthouse Two-Bedroom Suite) plus 25 two-bedroom Bayside Villas with full kitchens, living areas, and private decks. Bungalows average 350 sq ft with 300 sq ft private patios.
Is Islander Resort good for families?
Yes. The 24-acre resort has Seaside Sports including a PuttTek putting course, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, cornhole, and bocce ball. Complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles are included in the resort fee. Four on-site dining venues and ocean excursions from the Sunrise Pier round out the family programming.
Does Islander Resort have restaurants?
Yes. Islander has four on-site dining venues: Tides Beachside Bar, Drift on the Beach, Coccoloba Beachside Bites, and Sandy's Bar. This is significantly more dining than most Islamorada resort competitors offer on-property.
Is Islander Resort pet-friendly?
Yes. Islander Resort welcomes pets in all room types. A non-refundable pet fee of $100 per night applies, plus a refundable security deposit. Pets must be leashed in public areas and are not permitted in pools or restaurants but are welcome on walking paths and beach areas.
What does the $60 resort fee include?
The $60/day resort fee covers premium WiFi, self-parking, bottled water, 1-hour daily kayak/paddleboard/bicycle use per room, pier fishing with poles and bait, local transportation within 1.5 miles (12 PM–10 PM), half-off Florida Keys History and Discovery Center admission, and pool/beach towel and chair service.
Does Islander Resort have a pool?
Yes. Islander Resort has both saltwater and freshwater pools. The oceanside pools overlook the Atlantic, while the Bayside Villas have their own separate pool. Cabana Poolside rooms offer private patios with direct pool access.
Do you need a car at Islander Resort?
Islander provides complimentary local transportation within 1.5 miles (included in the resort fee), which covers nearby restaurants and the Cheeca Lodge area. A car is still useful for wider Islamorada exploration, attractions, and groceries. Free on-site parking is included.