The BEST Hotels in Key Largo: Where to Stay in Paradise

If you’re planning a trip to the Florida Keys, Key Largo is probably on your itinerary!

Key Largo is the first Key you’ll encounter as you drive from Miami and is one of the best Keys to visit, especially if you love snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. I’ve been to Key Largo for weddings, for diving trips, for vacation, and more!

It’s also the largest Key by far, which means it has plenty of accommodation choices! In Key Largo, you’ll find everything from casual seaside motels to breathtaking resorts!

After visiting Key Largo many many times and staying in a wide variety of hotels, I’ve curated a list of what I think are the best hotels in Key Largo, including something for every budget and traveler type!

I’ve also included other helpful information like price range, amenities, pros and cons, etc.

So whether you’re visiting Key Largo for one night or making it your first stop on an epic Florida Keys road trip, this list has a hotel for you!

A Mini Guide for Key Largo

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Key Largo to help plan your epic adventure!

Where to Stay:
Kona Kai Resort or Playa Largo Resort
(Keep reading for more options!)

When to Visit:
Low season: June – September due to hurricane season and heat
High season: December – March
Shoulder season: April/May & Oct/Nov
(Full Guide on When to Visit Here!)

Things to Do:
Snorkel at John Pennekamp
Glass Bottom Boat Adventure
Cruisin’ Tikis Sunset Cruise
Mangroves and Manatees Kayak Tour

Island Bay Resort

Address: 92530 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070
Price Range: Budget
Best For: Budget and Casual Travelers, Small Groups

Island Bay Resort is a casual and quaint property nestled right in between Key Largo and Islamorada in the town of Tavernier. With 5 stars on TripAdvisor, Island Bay is a beautiful property without any crazy frills. If you are looking for a low-budget option while in Key Largo, this is a great place to choose.

With 10 cottages on property, Island Bay is a very small and secluded resort. One caveat of staying here is the cottages only fit 2 people, so large families or groups will need more than one cottage.

Photo Credit: Island Bay Resort from Booking.com

Although it does not have a pool, the resort is right on the bayside and has direct access to the ocean. While staying here, you’ll have access to free kayaks, paddle boards, and paddle boats. The bayside is also shallow and clear and great for swimming or fishing!

Staying at Island Bay Resort allows you to take advantage of various free things to do in Key Largo!

Overall, this is a great place to stay in Key Largo if you don’t want to spend too much money and are looking for a quiet and private resort!

Coconut Palm Inn

Address: 198 Harborview Dr, Tavernier, FL 33070
Price Range: Budget
Best For: Large Groups, Families

Very close to Island Bay Resort, Coconut Palm Inn is a great place to stay if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation. With only 19 guest rooms and suites, Coconut Palm Inn strives to embody “Family Beach House” vibes, and they do it well!

The resort is nestled right on the Florida bayside and is newly renovated. Their website has photos of every single room, which range from garden view, beachside, and bay view cabanas as well as a collection of gorgeous suites.

Photo Credit: Coconut Palm Inn from Booking.com

In addition to some incredible rooms, the resort has a heated pool and marina, and also offers kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes to all guests!

It is a relatively small resort, which means there’s no restaurants or bars on site. However, it’s close to plenty of amazing local spots in Key Largo and Islamorada! It’s also a very popular spot to get married in the Keys!

This is a perfect place to stay in Key Largo if you are looking for a classic Keys resort you can escape to that won’t break the bank!

Kona Kai Resort

Address: 97802 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Price Range: Mid-Range
Best For: Couples, Those Looking for Quiet

My personal favorite casual resort in Key Largo is Kona Kai Resort & Gallery! When you see the pictures below, it’s easy to tell why this is one of the best hotels in Key Largo!!

I had the pleasure of staying here in November 2022 and had the most fabulous time. The resort perfectly embodies the slow and relaxed nature of the Florida Keys. Home to 13 quaint, bungalow-style rooms, Kona Kai doesn’t feel like a traditional hotel by any means.

On site, you’ll also find a botanical garden, an art gallery, a secluded pool and hot tub, plus a gorgeous dock where you can watch some killer Florida Keys sunsets!

My husband and I loved grabbing a bottle of wine and glasses from the room and heading down to the bay to watch the sunset every night before dinner!

They also have on-site kayaks, paddle boards, plus a ping pong table on the beach. We took the kayaks out and saw a ton of wildlife around the property!

There’s also a few hammocks tucked underneath the palm trees, a perfect place for an afternoon nap.

If you’re looking for a quiet resort where you can enjoy some downtime, I highly recommend Kona Kai Resort! You can read my full review of Kona Kai Resort here!

Amoray Dive Resort

Address: 104250 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Price Range: Mid-Range
Best For: Scuba divers (or those looking to get scuba certified)

One of the best parts about visiting the Florida Keys, and especially Key Largo, is the world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.

If your main goal for your trip is to scuba dive, I highly recommend staying at a dedicated dive resort like Amoray Dive Resort.

My husband and I recently spent 3 nights at Amoray and absolutely fell in love. It was our first time staying at a dive resort, and now we are hooked!

We got to wake up in the morning and walk right downstairs to the dive boat! Then, our room was just steps away when we returned.

Amoray runs daily dives in the morning and afternoons, plus special night dives and other events. You can even get certified here thanks to their on-site pool!

When you book your stay, you can choose their “Dive and Stay” package, which includes your room rate as well as the costs of diving, including tanks and weights! They also have on-site gear rentals for things like wet suits, BCDs, etc. in case you don’t have your own.

Aside from the dive amenities, Amoray also has an on-site pool and fishing dock that is perfect for epic sunsets on the bay! They also have free paddle boards and kayaks you can use to explore, as well as an on-site food truck!

Book your stay at Amoray Dive Resort here! 🤿

Baker’s Cay Resort

Address: 97000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Price Range: Mid-Range
Best For: Hilton Honors Members, Those Looking for a Traditional Hotel, Families

If you’re looking for a more traditional hotel feel, Baker’s Cay Resort is a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in Key Largo that does not disappoint!

This hotel originally opened in 1985 as Hilton Key Largo; however, it was renovated in 2017 and reopened in 2018 as a Curio Collection resort, and it shows!

Photo Credit: Cheeca Lodge from Booking.com

Baker’s Cay is a great resort for couples or families visiting Key Largo. In fact, there are two swimming pools on property, one for adults only and one that is kid friendly. However, the pools are not one of the hotel’s best attributes (in my opinion), since they’re in an odd location across the parking lot from the main buildings.

The resort is right on the bayside and has on site kayaks, paddle boards, and a beach (which is quite rare for the Keys)! It also features two restaurants, plus a poolside bar and a beach bar. The fancier restaurant, Calusa, overlooks the ocean and has a fantastic happy hour!

Overall, if you are looking for a more traditional hotel experience in Key Largo, Baker’s Cay is a good fit! Bonus points if you are a Hilton Honors member.

Playa Largo Resort & Spa

Address: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Price Range: Luxury
Best For: Couples, Young Adults, Those Looking for Everything in One Place

Moving into the more luxurious category, Playa Largo Resort & Spa may take the cake for the best hotel in Key Largo. In fact, it’s one of my favorite places to stay in the entire Florida Keys.

Part of the luxurious Marriott Autograph Collection, Playa Largo is an incredible resort with SO much to offer!

To start, the resort has a gorgeous (and large) pool and hot tub, plus poolside cabanas for rent!

In front of the pool and lining the resort, you’ll find stretches of white sand beach (again, not common in the Keys!) with direct access to the sea. There are plenty of secluded spots tucked underneath the sea grape trees waiting to be explored.

In addition to the pool area, you can find personal training classes, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a tree-lined jogging trail on property. To top it off, they also have a gorgeous Ocean Spa that offers a variety of tropical treatments.

Photo Credit: Playa Largo Resort and Spa from Booking.com

In terms of food and drink, the resort offers four different restaurants to choose from, which is a lot compared to other Key Largo hotels.

The most popular is Sol by the Sea, where you have the option to dine in the open-air upstairs or with your toes in the sand! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Key Largo!

If you have a large group, definitely check out their 3-bedroom beach house, which includes its own private pool and lawn. I stayed here for a wedding once and it was absolutely magical!

🌴 Book your tropical escape at Playa Largo here! 🌴

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The Bungalows Key Largo

Address: 99010 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Price Range: Extreme Luxury
Best For: Honeymooners, Babymooners, Those Looking for All-Inclusive Extravagance!

Last but most certainly not least, the Bungalows Key Largo is the epitome of luxury and relaxation! It’s one of the only all-inclusive resorts in the Florida Keys, and it’s also adults-only.

On the property, you’ll find a multitude of beautiful ocean-front and garden bungalows.

While their nightly rate is nowhere near inexpensive, it includes all meals, unlimited dining at 5 restaurants, premium alcoholic beverages, wines, and welcome drinks.

Photo Credit: Bungalows Key Largo from Booking.com

On top of food and drink, you’ll also have access to two pools, kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear, group yoga classes, bikes, and more!

One of featured areas of the resort is the Zen Garden Spa, which has five outdoor treatment cabanas, sea, rooms, salt treatment rooms, and more.

The Bungalows is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for ultimate luxury during your time in the Keys!

Things to Do in Key Largo

Even if you’re just stopping through for a night or two, there’s a lot to do in Key Largo, especially if you love the water! Over the years, I’ve done everything from lazy sunset cruises to scuba diving on shipwrecks here. Here are some of my top picks if you’re trying to figure out how to spend your time!

And don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide for a more detailed breakdown of the different areas and activities in the Keys!

1. Snorkel or Scuba Dive the Reefs

Snorkeling or scuba diving is a must-do on any Florida Keys Itinerary. Did you know Key Largo is called the Dive Capital of the World? The coral reefs just offshore are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen.

I personally recommend heading out to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park while in Key Largo. This undersea park is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is home to some of the most stunning reefs in the world.

When booking a snorkel trip in Key Largo, most companies will take you to spots within John Pennekamp like Grecian Rocks, Molasses Reef, or the famous Christ of the Abyss statue.

If you’re scuba certified, there are tons of shallow and deep dives in Key Largo. You could dive every day at a different spot for months!

I personally love diving the Benwood Wreck near French Reef, but if you’re looking for an even more intense dive, the USS Spiegel Grove is a very popular spot!

2. Watch the Sunset (From Land or Sea)

Sunsets in the Keys just hit different – I promise! And Key Largo has some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.

If you’re staying somewhere on the bayside like Kona Kai or Amoray Dive Resort, it’s easy to catch a banging sunset. All you have to do is walk out to the dock with a drink in hand and watch the magic happen.

Or, you can visit one of the many Key Largo restaurants on the water and watch the sunset while you eat dinner. My favorite choice is Snook’s!!

But if you want the full experience, I highly recommend watching the sunset from the water by booking a Key Largo sunset cruise.

3. Swim with Dolphins

One of the most popular things to do when visiting the Keys is swim with dolphins!

While there are a few spots in the Keys where you can swim with dolphins, Dolphins Plus in Key Largo is my personal pick, as they focus on conservation and education over entertainment.

Having an ethical and safe interaction with the dolphins is their top priority, and they don’t do choreographed shows like other spots in the Keys!

By visiting Dolphins Plus, you can feel good about your animal experience.

4. Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard

Besides snorkeling and scuba diving, there are tons of other ways to get out on the water in the Keys! My favorite is to go kayaking through the mangroves and look for wildlife you may not see in the ocean.

If you’re staying at a resort in Key Largo, you might already have free access to kayaks or paddle boards.

However, there are also kayak tours if you’d rather have a guide or want to explore different areas! This Mangroves and Manatees kayak tour through the mangrove tunnels of Tavernier Creek is the perfect option.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my guide to the best hotels in Key Largo! As you can see, there are many different types of hotels and resorts in Key Largo, for every kind of traveler!

No matter where you choose, you are bound to have a wonderful time during your stay in Key Largo. Whether you’re just visiting on a Miami to Key Largo Road Trip or taking a week-long vacation in the Keys, Key Largo is absolutely worth the trip!

To make your trip even more memorable (and delicious), be sure to check out my TOP 10 Key Largo Restaurants on the Water.

Make sure to pin this post for future planning!