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Earlier than a busy Disney World journey, we have been on the lookout for pure rest and seashore time and selected Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo.
This pretty small resort is a part of the Curio Assortment by Hilton and has extra individuality and modern island fashion than you’d count on from a series lodge.
Baker’s Cay is among the few lodges within the Florida Keys with a sandy seashore (most on the island chain are rocky), which was a giant consider our resolution to remain there.
The plush, tree-filled grounds add to the tropical, stress-free vibe, and the wildlife is plentiful—we noticed dolphins, a manatee, and large iguanas.
On this Baker’s Cay Resort overview, I share the highs and lows of the lodge, together with our ideas on its rooms, seashores, meals, actions, location, and extra.
Contents
Rooms at Baker’s Cay Resort
Coconut Wing vs Hammock Wing at Baker’s Cay
The 200 rooms at Baker’s Cay Resort are divided into two wings.
The Coconut Wing is on the coronary heart of the motion and overlooks the primary seashore with the most effective seashore and ocean views.
The Hammock Wing overlooks the a lot quieter Hammock Seaside and is a little bit farther from reception and the eating places (though nowhere is just too far).
There are various timber on this space so most ocean views are obscured with simply glimpses of water by the vegetation.
In order for you an ocean view in both wing, you should pay additional for a waterfront room. The most cost effective rooms overlook the car parking zone on the again and could have extra highway noise. If you wish to spend time in your balcony, go for the waterfront.
I additionally advocate requesting a 4th-floor room (the very best stage). It will get you the most effective likelihood of an ocean view (peeking over the timber), and within the Coconut Wing, you’ll have extra privateness.
I beloved our waterfront room within the Coconut Wing, however I’d additionally take into account a 4th-floor waterfront room within the Hammock Wing. It’s a little bit cheaper and quite a bit quieter.
If you wish to watch the motion, have a view of sand, or get to the primary seashore as shortly as doable, select the Coconut Wing.
Our Waterfront Room within the Coconut Wing
We booked a King Waterfront room within the Coconut Wing and requested a 4th-floor room on arrival. We needed to wait a bit longer (we arrived a little bit earlier than the 4pm check-in), but it surely was price it.
A big tree would have obscured our view if we’d been decrease down.
We actually appreciated our room. It was spacious with a King-sized mattress (it’s also possible to e-book rooms with two Queens) plus a seating space with a sofa, espresso desk, and armchair.
It had all of the services you’d count on—air con, TV, espresso maker (annoyingly solely with paper cups), an empty mini fridge, and loads of storage.
The lavatory was pretty spacious, clear and fashionable, with a big walk-in bathe.
The room decor was impartial and nothing particular, however that didn’t trouble me after I had a beautiful view of the turquoise ocean.
Our balcony was a spotlight, with two chairs and a small desk. We had drinks, performed playing cards, and ate our room service dinner right here. It was perfect for watching the motion on the primary seashore, and on the 4th flooring, we didn’t really feel neglected.
The sliding doorways to the balcony protected us surprisingly properly from the noise on the seashore, though we might hear reside music on weekends.
The entrance door, which ends up in a hall open to the weather (overlooking the parking), protected us much less properly from the highway noise, but it surely wasn’t too dangerous.
The largest problem we had with our room was with housekeeping. On arrival and nearly day by day of our keep, the flooring weren’t cleaned correctly, so there was at all times sand round.
Additionally they modified the towels day by day (with no choice to reuse) however usually ran out. So, on a number of events, we got here again to our room within the afternoon to search out no towels and needed to hunt some down.
Though our housekeeping points have been resolved after we introduced them up, it was annoying on the value we have been paying.
Baker’s Cay Seashores
Baker’s Cay Resort has two seashores with very totally different vibes simply minutes from one another.
Each are small and sandy with calm, clear, shallow water. The water is good for kids or simply hanging out with a cocktail, however you don’t must exit too far to swim.
Seaside towels are situated in automated machines. Use your room key (which is on a helpful wristband) to open them and take what you want, and be sure to return your towels to the machine otherwise you’ll get charged.
Coconut Seaside
Coconut Seaside is the primary seashore. There are many solar loungers (not padded sadly, however comfortable sufficient) and floating platforms within the water which might be a beautiful place to calm down.
There’s a water sports activities centre the place you may borrow kayaks and paddleboards totally free (extra on that beneath), and a Tiki bar for cocktails and meals (delivered to your seat).
Generally actions happen right here—we performed bingo one afternoon.
There aren’t any umbrellas, however timber present some shade. There have been at all times solar loungers out there on our mid-November go to.
Coconut Seaside is by far the busier, noisier seashore (with music taking part in), particularly on weekends.
Our technique was to start out at Coconut Seaside within the morning, sit within the solar and use the paddleboards and platforms, after which transfer to Hammock Seaside by late morning/noon when Coconut Seaside was busier and we bought too sizzling.
Hammock Seaside
Hammock Seaside was our favorite seashore at Baker’s Cay and actually made our keep extremely stress-free.
It has a way more pure setting than Coconut Seaside, below a shady cover of timber with iguanas and squirrels darting round.
We beloved how peaceable it was with far fewer individuals and extra space between the solar loungers and Adirondack chairs scattered round.
Regardless of the title (which refers back to the cover of timber), there’s just one hammock.
Though it feels removed from every part, you may order on-line to get meals and drinks ordered to your chair, and the pool bar (with bogs) isn’t too distant.
We even noticed a manatee whereas swimming off Hammock Seaside!
Baker’s Cay Eating places
There are two eating places and two bars at Baker’s Cay Resort. Plus a espresso cart with pastries within the foyer on some mornings.
You may cost every part to your room together with your wristband, however be aware {that a} 20% service cost is added to all orders.
We had deliberate to eat outdoors the resort for some meals (most eating places are a drive away), however we ended up consuming each meal at Baker’s Cay throughout our five-night keep.
We beloved stress-free within the resort bubble and located there was sufficient selection (at the same time as vegetarians) to maintain us from getting too bored.
We did convey some primary breakfast stuff, snacks, and drinks with us, although, and we’re glad we did. Breakfast isn’t included in most space charges and is sort of dear.
For the eating places beneath, I’ve famous the opening occasions throughout our keep, however these could differ at different occasions of the 12 months. You get an info information when checking in with hours and particular occasions.
Dry Rocks
Dry Rocks is the place we ate essentially the most. The restaurant has a big terrace (plus indoor seating) overlooking Coconut Seaside. The meals is Mexican-focused with the addition of pizza and pasta within the evenings.
The cocktails (with many variations of margaritas) have been nice and we loved the veggie tacos, Mediterranean flatbread, and Key Lime Pie essentially the most. The pizza is simply okay.
I checked out menus for fairly a couple of eating places within the Keys and Dry Rocks has extra vegetarian choices than most.
There’s reside music right here on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dry Rocks is open from 11am till 10pm.
Tiki Bar
The Tiki Bar on Coconut Seaside has some bar seating however most individuals (together with us) order to their solar loungers.
There’s a wide array of cocktails (together with plenty of fruity frozen concoctions) that we very a lot loved and a lunch menu just like Dry Rocks (tacos, salads, sandwiches and so forth).
The Tiki Bar is open from 11am till sundown.
Calusa
Calusa is a extra formal restaurant on the highest flooring overlooking the timber and ocean.
It’s the one place open for breakfast (besides the espresso cart). It’s a la carte with no buffet.
We ate breakfast right here as soon as and loved our pancakes, avocado toast, and potatoes.
We skipped dinner at Calusa because the vegetarian choices weren’t very thrilling, but it surely does get good evaluations. The main focus is seafood and it’s costlier than Dry Rocks.
Calusa is open for breakfast Monday to Saturday (7am -11am) and dinner (5-10pm) day by day. On Sundays, brunch is from 11am – 1pm.
The Pool Bar
A lot much less visited than these above is The Pool Bar, which has a special cocktail menu (we loved the assorted pineapple drinks) and a few primary lunch snacks like grilled cheese sandwiches.
We’d pop by right here to seize a cocktail when stress-free on Hammock Seaside.
It’s open from 11am – 5pm.
Room Service
Room service is an alternative choice at Baker’s Cay with a menu just like Dry Rocks.
The $5 cost was price it to us one evening as we have been capable of eat on our balcony and get monetary savings with our personal drinks.
Services and Actions
Swimming pools
There are two swimming pools at Baker’s Cay—an grownup pool and a household pool—separated by a waterfall.
They’re set again from the seashore, surrounded by greenery however nearer to the highway. They’re good sufficient however nothing particular.
We most popular to hang around on the seashore, but it surely’s good to have another place to calm down at busy occasions.
Word that the swimming pools don’t open till 8am.
Water Sports activities
There’s a water sports activities hut on Coconut Seaside the place you may hire gear or be a part of fishing excursions and sundown Tiki boat journeys.
One hour a day of kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) use is included within the resort charge. The gear is a bit overwhelmed up, but it surely labored okay (ensure that your SUP has a fin for stability).
Word that if you wish to go outdoors the roped-off space and paddle down the coast, you’ll have to take a life jacket and whistle.
There’s a fairly lengthy waiver course of the primary time you borrow gear (take your cellphone to finish it), however after that, it was simple.
We did get pleasure from paddleboarding, but it surely was windy on our keep so it was exhausting work in a single route.
If you happen to aren’t an skilled paddleboarder, watch out going outdoors the roped space and concentrate on the wind route (paddle into the wind first).
Different Services at Baker’s Cay
- Water refill stations all through the resort.
- Retailer with primary snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
- Fitness center
- Free bike rental
- Desk tennis
- Pool desk
- Library
Each day Actions
There are various free actions day by day at Baker’s Cay, so the resort is ideal for youths.
You’ll be given a schedule while you check-in. You may count on actions akin to:
- Each day fishing from the dock
- Arts and crafts
- Silent disco
- Seaside bingo
- Trivia quiz
- Sundown yoga
- Boot camp
- Smores
- Household pool video games
- Outside household film evening
Sundown Bubbly
Our favorite day by day exercise was the complimentary glowing wine given out at sundown from a cart by the dock. It’s a beautiful ritual on the finish of every day.
Coconut Seaside doesn’t have the most effective sundown view, however if you happen to stroll to the top of the dock, you may see the solar sinking beneath the horizon. Look out for dolphins—we noticed them twice near the dock!
Assembly and Perform Rooms
There are numerous rooms for occasions within the resort. Weddings are very talked-about right here in winter—there was one nearly each evening of our keep.
Location of Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo
Baker’s Cay Resort is situated on Key Largo, the primary island within the Florida Keys when driving from Miami. Discover it on Google Maps.
Getting There
The closest airport is Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), 65 miles and a few 1 hour 15 minute drive to Baker’s Cay.
The resort is 95 miles and simply over two hours from Key West Worldwide Airport (EYW).
You actually need a automotive to entry the resort.
We drove from Orlando (earlier than our Disney World journey), which is 5 hours from Baker’s Cay. It took us 6.5 hours with two breaks, together with getting lunch and stocking up with snacks at Dealer Joe’s in Palm Seaside Gardens.
Key Largo
Key Largo itself was a disappointment. It doesn’t really feel like an island as a giant freeway cuts by the slim strip of land, and also you largely can’t entry the water besides by lodges or non-public property.
That mentioned, we didn’t discover the island because it was too windy to take the snorkelling journey we had deliberate. We additionally hoped to kayak by the mangroves at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
I’m certain there are some pretty elements of the island, and getting out on the water is gorgeous, however our first impressions weren’t nice. That was nice for us as we needed a calming resort keep anyway.
If you’re on the lookout for a operating route, there’s a path throughout the busy highway outdoors the lodge. It was purposeful however not significantly nice.
Baker’s Cay Highs and Lows
Highs
- Lovely lush grounds.
- Fashionable decor in widespread areas.
- Two sandy seashores (uncommon within the Keys).
- Quiet Hammock Seaside.
- Ocean views from some rooms.
- Water sports activities (kayaks and paddleboards included).
- A lot of actions (particularly for youths).
- Seeing dolphins and manatees.
- Pretty small resort really easy entry out of your room to the seashore.
- Free bubbly at sundown.
- Good cocktails from all of the bars.
- First rate vegetarian meals at Dry Rocks.
Lows
- Very costly.
- You may hear the highway from a lot of the resort (we did cease noticing it).
- The seashores are small and loungers are shut collectively on Coconut Seaside.
- Housekeeping points.
- Weekends are busier.
- A lot of weddings within the low season.
- The cost for not returning towels to machines.
Advisable For
Households and {couples} on the lookout for a calming seashore resort within the Florida Keys.
Value
Baker’s Cay Resort is dear. In November, we paid $800 an evening, together with tax, resort charge, and parking for a King Waterfront Room within the Coconut Wing. Breakfast was not included.
Charges range all year long, and a room with out an ocean view is cheaper, however you may nonetheless count on to pay $550 an evening, together with all charges. You’ll must resolve if you happen to’ll be pleased with a view of the car parking zone.
The $49 day by day resort cost consists of WiFi, bikes, paddleboards and kayaks, fishing rods and bait, varied actions, day by day sundown toast, and two aluminium water bottles (supposedly reusable, however I’d convey your individual).
Verify Baker’s Cay Resort on Reserving for the newest costs and availability.
You would possibly discover particular offers in case you are a Hilton Honors member and e-book direct on the Baker’s Cay Resort web site.
Baker’s Cay Evaluate Abstract
Your enjoyment of Baker’s Cay Resort will rely in your expectations. When you are paying luxurious costs, this isn’t really a luxurious resort. As a substitute, you’re paying for the situation and the uncommon sandy seashores.
Whereas the service (particularly housekeeping) may be missing, and the room decor is nothing particular, we quickly relaxed into the resort’s laid-back vibe and actually loved our keep.
We beloved having an ocean view from our room and two seashores simply minutes stroll away. Hammock Seaside was good for us as we at all times had a quiet place to calm down, even on busier weekends.
We additionally loved the free paddleboards, seeing dolphins and manatees, and plenty of scrumptious cocktails.
Whereas the resort is family-friendly with many free actions, it additionally works for {couples} on the lookout for a quieter keep (though I’d keep away from college holidays).
Extra Florida Suggestions
If you’re on an extended Florida journey, take a look at our guides to Disney and Common in Orlando:
Disney World
Common Studios Florida