If one Florida Keys resort manages to be all things to all families, then it's Hawks Cay. Sure, that's a big call to make. But when you consider all there is to do on this sprawling property -- from snorkeling, kayaking, segway tours, mini golf, beach volleyball and SNUBA courses (available to kids 8 and up) to feeding the resident tarpon, the kids camp, splashing in a pirate ship-themed pool or casting a fishing line off the dock in front of your villa -- a week scarcely suffices to fit in all the fun.

The resort is located where the Upper Keys meet the Middle Keys on the island of Duck Key -- about 100 miles from Miami and another 60 miles to Key West. Duck Key is actually five small islands separated by boat canals and spread across 60 acres. Hawks Cay occupies the first island, along with Duck Key Marina. The other four islands of Duck Key are residential areas where you can go for a stroll or pedal your bike.

With 177 hotel standard hotel rooms and roughly 400 additional villas and vacation rentals, there are a few different lodging options -- from the standard hotel rooms in the main building to two-story villas and vacation apartments spread out on the property, featuring multiple bedrooms, full kitchens and private laundry facilities. If you're planning on staying more than a few days with the whole family, the villas and vacation rentals are definitely the way to go since you can prepare your kids' meals in the full kitchens and really spread out.

The resort has five pools, including a dedicated family pool near the kids center and the much loved pirate ship pool, with its water play features, fountains and slides. But despite the resort's oceanfront setting, you can't actually swim in the ocean here (the closest thing to it is a shallow, manmade lagoon with a sandy bottom and inflow of salt water that doesn't look nearly as inviting as the open water). And while the lagoon pool tends to get too warm since it's shallow, it's a good, safe place for kids to swim. There's another family pool area on the property, near the kids' center, as well as an adults-only tranquility pool.

The resort's kids club, called Camp Hawk, is housed in a separate facility surrounded by beach volleyball courts, mini golf, the pirate ship pool and family pool and a nice playground area shaded by large banyan trees.

Duck Key Marina is just a short walk from the main hotel building and villas. Here, you can set out on a snorkeling or kayaking adventure or watch fishing boats return with the day's catch while feeding the resident tarpons and pausing for an ice cream cone by the water.

Despite the fact that the rooms and villas are spread out across the property and the main dining areas are found in the main building, Hawks Cay is a very walkable resort, with sidewalks linking the marina to the main building and villas (you can consider renting a golf cart to get around, but it's not necessary -- there's even an open air shuttle bus making rounds to transport guests from point A to point B on property).

And as for your fellow guests? While some couples come to Hawks Cay for a romantic escape, they soon realize this is very much a family-oriented destination. With the exception of the adults-only pool, kids are welcome everywhere. As a result, vacationing families abound.

More Information

Family Activities

Rooms

Map

Family Dining

Planning & Tips

Reviews