Key West, Florida, is a renowned destination for sun-seekers and adventure enthusiasts. For families planning a getaway, finding the perfect resort is key to a memorable vacation. If you’re searching for exceptional Key West Florida Family Resorts, look no further. We’ve explored a gem in the Florida Keys that redefines family luxury and fun: Hawks Cay Resort. Following a significant renovation, this resort has emerged as a premier destination, ticking all the boxes for an unforgettable family vacation.
Aerial view of Hawks Cay Resort pool area, showcasing its expansive size and inviting blue waters.
Having explored various luxury resorts in the Florida Keys over the years, we were eager to experience the newly renovated Hawks Cay Resort. Located in Duck Key, a short drive from the vibrant Key West, this resort promised a blend of relaxation and adventure. What we discovered was a family paradise that exceeded our expectations, offering an array of amenities and activities designed to cater to every age group. Let’s dive into the reasons why Hawks Cay Resort stands out as one of the best Key West Florida family resorts.
Family-Focused Accommodation: Designed for Comfort and Convenience
When traveling with family, comfortable and practical accommodation is paramount. Hawks Cay Resort excels in this area with its thoughtfully designed family guest rooms. The introduction of bunk beds in their renovated rooms is a game-changer for families with children. The lower bunk, generously sized as a full bed, can comfortably sleep two younger children, while the top bunk offers a cozy twin space. Each bunk area is equipped with personal charging ports and even its own TV, ensuring kids have their own space and entertainment.
These family guest rooms are also notably spacious, spanning nearly 500 square feet, providing ample room for families to spread out. For larger families or groups traveling together, connecting family guest rooms are available, offering even more flexibility and space.
Beyond the bunk bed rooms, Hawks Cay offers further accommodation options. Guest rooms with lanais provide direct access to the pool area, ideal for families who want to be steps away from the resort’s main attractions. These rooms typically feature two queen beds.
A family enjoying their stay at Hawks Cay Resort, showcasing the resort's welcoming atmosphere for families.
For those seeking a more home-like experience with extra space, townhomes are also available at Hawks Cay. However, it’s advisable to research individual townhomes, as they are privately owned and vary in terms of updates and amenities.
For our family, the family guest room in the main building proved to be the perfect choice. The central location provided easy access to the main resort pool and the unique saltwater lagoon, making it incredibly convenient for enjoying all the resort had to offer.
Lanai deck area at Hawks Cay Resort, illustrating the direct pool access from certain room types.
Endless Family Activities: Fun for Every Age
Hawks Cay Resort distinguishes itself from other Key West Florida family resorts with its extensive array of family activities. From morning to night, a diverse schedule of poolside and resort-wide activities keeps everyone entertained. For active families, this is a major draw, offering far more than just typical beach and pool relaxation.
Kayaks and paddleboards in the saltwater lagoon at Hawks Cay Resort, showcasing the complimentary water activities available to guests.
The resort’s saltwater lagoon is a highlight, offering complimentary use of kayaks and paddleboards as part of the resort fee. Coral Cay, the dedicated kids’ area, is a wonderland for younger guests, featuring a pirate ship pool, a soccer field, a miniature golf course, and a playground. While our children were slightly older for the pirate ship pool, the putt-putt course was a hit, providing a fun break from swimming and sunbathing.
Kids enjoying the putt-putt course at Hawks Cay Resort, highlighting the family-friendly activities beyond swimming.
Dolphin Connection: An Unforgettable Wildlife Encounter
A truly unique feature that sets Hawks Cay apart from other Key West Florida family resorts is the Dolphin Connection. As the only resort in the Florida Keys with dolphins on-site, Hawks Cay offers an unparalleled opportunity to interact with these magnificent creatures. Even if time or budget doesn’t allow for a dolphin swim experience, simply observing the dolphin lagoon is a treat. Its proximity to the main pool and lagoon area makes it easily accessible for spontaneous visits.
People swimming with dolphins at Hawks Cay Resort's Dolphin Connection, emphasizing the unique dolphin encounter experience.
Our family’s dolphin experience was both educational and heartwarming. Learning about the dolphins’ rescue stories and their training was fascinating for both adults and children alike. The Dolphin Connection is undoubtedly a “not-to-be-missed” attraction within Hawks Cay Resort.
Culinary Delights: Dining Options for Every Palate
Dining at Hawks Cay Resort is another highlight, with a variety of restaurants catering to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring even the pickiest eaters are satisfied. The Marketplace offers a fantastic breakfast buffet, featuring fresh juices, fruits, and classic breakfast favorites, including Belgian waffles and an omelet station. For a quicker breakfast, the “grab and go” option is perfect for heading straight to the pool. Marketplace also provides convenient options for lunch and dinner with its poolside location.
Dining area at Angler and Ale restaurant at Hawks Cay Resort, showing the waterfront view and family-friendly atmosphere.
For poolside relaxation, the Tiki Bar offers a menu of lunch and drink options delivered directly to your lounge chair. The Tiki Bar stays open late, allowing guests to enjoy the pool and live music into the evening. For dinner, Hawks Cay boasts several excellent choices.
Angler & Ale, a short shuttle ride away on Duck Key, provides a delightful family dining experience with a beautiful waterfront patio. The menu features fresh seafood, a staple of the Keys, and dishes like tuna nachos and conch fritters are excellent starters. The hogfish dinner special was a standout, arguably one of the best seafood dishes we’ve enjoyed in the Florida Keys. The lively atmosphere, often featuring trivia and entertaining waiters, adds to the fun.
Family enjoying a meal at Hawks Cay Resort, showcasing the diverse dining options available for families.
For a more upscale dining experience, Sixty-One Prime offers casual elegance with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the resort pool. The menu features prime steaks and fresh seafood. The grilled octopus and tuna appetizers are highly recommended, as is the intriguing mozzarella ice cream. Sixty-One Prime manages to strike a perfect balance, offering a special vacation meal atmosphere while still being welcoming to children, with a kids’ menu and outdoor seating options. And of course, no Key Keys meal is complete without key lime pie, which was an excellent dessert option here.
Outdoor dining area at Sixty-One Prime restaurant at Hawks Cay Resort, highlighting the elegant yet family-friendly setting.
Evening Ambiance and Relaxation
Evenings at Hawks Cay Resort are equally enchanting. After dinner, the fire pit area becomes a hub of activity with live music and a lively atmosphere. For our kids, however, night swimming was the highlight of the evenings, providing a perfect way to wind down after a day of sun and activities.
Fire pit area at Hawks Cay Resort at night, showing families relaxing and enjoying the evening ambiance.
Final Verdict: Hawks Cay is a Top Choice Among Key West Florida Family Resorts
So, would we return to Hawks Cay Resort? Absolutely! Our family unanimously voted “yes.” If you are planning a family vacation and searching for the best Key West Florida family resorts, Hawks Cay Resort should be at the top of your list. Its combination of family-friendly accommodation, endless activities, unique dolphin encounters, and diverse dining options makes it an exceptional choice for creating lasting family memories in the Florida Keys. Have you visited Hawks Cay Resort with your family? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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Hawks Cay Resort is a brand partner of Well Traveled Kids. All opinions are my own.
Photos courtesy of Hawks Cay Resort.
