Island Bay Resort

Ten Cottages, One Private Shoreline on Florida Bay

Tavernier sits at the quiet hinge between Key Largo and Islamorada, where Overseas Highway traffic thins and Florida Bay opens into a flat, pastel horizon. Island Bay Resort claims a private stretch of that shoreline for just ten cottages, each one individually furnished rather than stamped from a single template, spread through gardens heavy with palms and sea grape. There is no lobby bar, no shuttle fleet, no check-in line: a host meets you, a cottage key changes hands, and the rest of the stay unfolds at the pace of the tide. It is the kind of address a Keys regular mentions quietly, hoping it stays that way.

Why It Works

We chose Island Bay Resort because it solves the two things that usually compete with each other in the Keys: privacy and easy access to the water. Ten cottages mean the grounds never feel crowded, and the adults-only policy keeps the hammocks and tiki huts genuinely quiet. Every cottage carries its own kitchenette and a personal grill, so the resort stays out of the way of a spontaneous dinner on the deck. Kayaks and paddleboards are included rather than upsold, and a dock built for boats up to 25 feet means visiting boaters can simply tie up. It rewards travelers who already know what they want from the Keys: water, shade, and no itinerary.

Why This Location

Tavernier is often overlooked between its louder neighbors, and that is precisely the advantage: Key Largo's dive shops and Islamorada's sportfishing marinas both sit a short drive away, while the resort's own stretch of Florida Bay stays calm enough for an evening paddle most of the year. The Overseas Highway puts Key West about two hours to the south and Miami roughly ninety minutes to the north, close enough for a day trip, far enough that neither intrudes on the stay. Facing the bay rather than the ocean means the show here is sunset, not sunrise, over a horizon still largely uncluttered by the development that has reshaped stretches of the Upper Keys.

Fast Facts

• Prix: €€€

• Vibe: Quiet, adults-only, barefoot elegance

• Chambres: 10 cottages (7 efficiency, 3 one-bedroom), each individually styled

• Best For: Couples, honeymooners, travelers who want the Keys without the crowds

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The kayaks and paddleboards left at the dock for guests to take whenever they like, not locked behind a rental desk

• Dining: No restaurant on site; every cottage has a kitchenette or full kitchen and a private grill

• Amenities: Botanical gardens, private beachfront, open-air tiki huts, dockage for boats up to 25 feet, bocce and cornhole lawn

• Attractions: Key Largo dive sites, Islamorada sportfishing marinas, Key West day trips, Florida Bay sunset views

Cottage Life, Not Resort Life

The ten cottages split into two groups, essentially a choice of how self-sufficient you want to be. The seven efficiency units, including an oceanfront king room and an ADA-compliant cottage, pair a comfortable bed with a stocked kitchenette for coffee, breakfast, and a light dinner. The three one-bedroom cottages add a full kitchen and sleep two in more room, suited to a longer stay or a couple who wants to cook the day's catch. Every cottage has been refreshed with new mattresses, appliances, and locally minded artwork, plus reliable Wi-Fi, cable television, and a private deck shaded enough to sit out on by mid-afternoon.

On the Water, Without Leaving the Property

The resort's best asset may be how little friction stands between a guest and the bay. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are free to take out at will, no reservation or rental counter involved, and the dock accommodates boats up to 25 feet for guests who arrive by water. Four open-air tiki huts and three hammocks are scattered through the gardens for anyone who would rather watch the bay than paddle it, and a lawn set up for bocce and cornhole fills the late-afternoon hours between a swim and the sunset.

Before You Book

Island Bay Resort is adults-only, which shapes the stay more than any amenity list can: this is a property built around quiet, not activities for children. There is no on-site restaurant or spa, so travelers who want room service or a treatment menu should look elsewhere in Islamorada; here, the kitchenette and the hammock are the point. Returning guests get a loyalty discount after two stays with no sign-up required. The closest major airports are Miami and Fort Lauderdale, both under two hours by car along the Overseas Highway.