I've lived in Florida for almost 20 years and my recent trip to Hawks Cay Resort was my very first trip to the Keys! I headed off down Alligator Alley and after just about 5 1/2 hours, I met up with 34 Macaroni Kid publishers from across the country in paradise! The drive down was was short, but I wondered what took me so long to get down there!
I know that we live in Florida and are lucky enough to enjoy some pretty nice scenery at home, but the view from my room looked like a postcard!
The property has five pools, but it's easy to see why the saltwater lagoon was my favorite.
This was a mini vacation-- without the kids! When I saw this spot, I fell in LOVE! A little sun, a little shade from the tiki hut, a little music, and a LOT of relaxation... what more could I need? Ooooh, the Beach Grill is serving up cool drinks and yummy eats while I lounge by the lagoon? Yes, please! I tried both the Ahi Tuna Poke and the Fish Tacos. Yum!
Aside from the poolside dining and tiki bar, there are more dining options on site. Breakfast at Ocean included a full buffet, made to order omelets and a make your own waffle station. My kids would have loved it! If you are looking for an evening of fine dining, Alma is the place to be. Looking for not-so-fancy kid-friendly cuisine? Check out the Coral Cafe for wraps, PB&Js, mac & cheese and more kid favorites.
This is truly a family friendly resort and you'll find more fun at Coral Cay Activities & Adventure. They have their own pirate themed putting course, a spacious activities room and plenty of places for kids to play. If the adults would like to go on a jet ski or stand-up paddleboard adventure, there are drop-off sessions for the kids at Camp Hawk. Meet back up and splash in the Pirate Ship Pool.
A group of us got together and booked a snorkeling adventure. We took a walk to the Hawks Cay marina and set out on a catamaran that took us out to part of the Great Florida Reef system called Coffins Patch. Masks, fins, snorkels, life vests and aqua noodles, as well as plenty of cold bottled water were all included in the cost of the excursion. We encountered plenty of sea life including hundreds of fish, colorful parrotfish, a baby nurse shark, and even a jellyfish!
The most memorable part of my trip to Hawks Cay was the Dolphin Connection. This is where I met my new friend, Chinook! It really was an amazing experience to get to interact with these beautiful creatures.
No airfare (I cringe at the $$$ it would cost my family of five to fly) and exclusive rates for Florida Residents make a trip to Hawks Cay Resort an affordable vacation option for Florida families. I am hoping to bring my family down to experience "the only key you'll need." Hmmm... I wonder if I'd be able to sneak in a few quiet moments alone by the lagoon? A girl can dream...
I was hosted at the resort for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
