South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)

Many Keys resorts are back in business

A year after Irma, hotels get ready to welcome tourists

- By Gretchen Day-Bryant South Florida Sun Sentinel

A year after Hurricane Irma, hotels and resorts in the Florida Keys are gearing up for the fall and winter tourism season.

Hawks Cay Resort reopened completely Aug. 30 after $50 million in renovation­s. Cheeca Lodge reopened in March. But Little Palm Island Resort will be at work restoring the luxury property for another year. In Key West, which suffered less damage than the Lower and Middle Keys, all properties are open except for two.

Here’s an update on some of the new and refurbishe­d Florida Keys hotel and resort properties, according to the Florida Keys tourism office.

Key Largo

Bungalows Key Largo: The first all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort in the Keys is accepting reservatio­ns for Dec. 1. The resort will have 135 standalone units and two pools. Restaurant­s include the finedining Bogie & Bacall’s, a nod to the 1948 “Key Largo” movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. There’s also Senor Sea, serving Mexican, and the casual Fish Tales. Other amenities: Zen Garden Spa, land tours and water activities. At Mile

Baker’s Cay Resort: The former Hilton Key Largo is being remodeled as a Hilton Curio Collection property. The 200-room, pet-friendly resort is Gulf-side and is ex-

pected to open this fall. Dining and drinking options include Calusa, a Cajun-Caribbean restaurant with views of the bay, the beachside Dry Rocks and a tiki bar. Other amenities: an Aveda salon, library, two pools, children’s activities. At Mile Marker 97; 97000 Overseas Highway; bakerscay.com, 305-852-5553.

Ocean Pointe Suites: The resort, with 700 suites that sleep four to six people, reopened in March. The marina has been restored, and a new gazebo is available for events and weddings. At Mile Maker 92.5; 500 Burton Drive; Provident Resorts.com/ocean-pointe -suites, 800-882-9464.

Islamorada

Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina: The popular waterfront resort is scheduled to reopen in November with 145 units and 14 cottages. The Ciao Hound restaurant, tiki and raw bars, and marina are already open. The company’s other properties — Pelican Cove, La Siesta and

Cheeca Lodge Resort and Spa of Islamorada reopened in March. Amara Cay — are open. At Mile Marker 81; 84001 Overseas Highway; holidayisl­e .com, 305-664-2321.

Cheeca Lodge Resort and Spa: The 214-unit oceanfront resort reopened in March. The $25 million renovation includes a rebuilt fishing pier, redesigned rooms, a refurbishe­d golf course and a new Italian bistro, Mia Cuccina. An additional pool and tiki bar are planned. At Mile Marker 82; 81801 Overseas Highway; cheeca.com, 844-933-9713.

Chesapeake Resort: There are 20 garden-view units open, with 45 more scheduled to reopen later this year. A pool and beach access are also open. At Mile Marker 83.5; 83409 Overseas Highway; chesapeake-resort.com, 305-664-4662.

Islander Bayside Resort: The property with 25 twostory townhomes is open. However, its sister property, the Islander Resort, is undergoing a renovation and will reopen later this year. It will have a new restaurant and family splash pad. The townhomes are at Mile Marker 81. islanderfl­oridakeys.com, 305-664-0082.

Hadley House Resort: In August, 21 rooms were opened. Another 16 will open in October. New rooms have kitchenett­es. At Mile Marker 83; 82749 Overseas Highway; hadley houseresor­t.com, 305-664-3681. The sister

property Fisher Inn Resort & Marina will partially reopen Oct. 1. At Mile Marker 85; 84951 Overseas Highway; fisherinnr­esort .com, 305-664-3611.

Marathon

Hampton Inn Marathon: The 80-room, full-service hotel opened in June. It has a 24-hour fitness center. At Mile Marker 54; 13351 Overseas Highway; hamptoninn .com, 305-359-3040.

Isla Bella Beach Resort: This new resort, expected to open in early 2019, is oceanside at the Seven Mile Bridge. It has 199 units, spa, five pools, four restaurant­s and bars, and a marina. Other amenities: meeting space, bocce, croquet, oversize chess, bicycles, guiding fishing expedition­s. At Mile Marker 47; 1 Knights Key Blvd.; isla bella.com, 305-608-4803.

Lower Keys

Deer Run Bed & Breakfast: The adults-only B&B is expected to open later this year. All four units are being rebuilt. 1997 Long Beach Road, Big Pine Key. deerrunflo­ridabb.com, 305-872-2015.

Parmer’s Resort: Now open. It has 44 units and a

new 90-foot beach. At Mile Marker 28.5; 565 Barry Ave., Little Torch Key; parmersres­ort.com, 305-872-2157.

Little Palm Island Resort and Spa: One of the most luxurious resorts in the Keys is undergoing an extensive renovation. It’s scheduled to reopen in late 2019 or 2020. At Mile Marker 28.5; 285000 Overseas Highway, Little Torch Key; littlepalm­island.com, 800-343-8567.

Key West

The Laureate Key West: With 64 suites, the former Key West Bayside Inn and Suites is scheduled to reopen Sept. 16. 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; thelaureat­e keywest.com, 305-296-7593.

Parrot Key Resort: Scheduled to reopen Nov. 1 with four pools and a new restaurant. 2801 N. Roosevelt Blvd.; parrotkeyr­esort.com, 855-923-7930.

 ?? BAKER’S CAY ?? Baker’s Cay, the former Hilton Key Largo, will reopen later this fall.
BAKER’S CAY Baker’s Cay, the former Hilton Key Largo, will reopen later this fall.
 ?? FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU ??
FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU

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