Hawks Cay

As a getaway, Hawks Cay Resort appeals to travelers of every age and interest. Granted, the resort’s 20,000 square feet of versatile event space attracts business-minded groups to the largest waterfront conference center in the Florida Keys. The recent addition of a second waterfront ballroom—together with the dedicated conference staff, business center, and state-of-the-art technology—guarantees everything needed for productive meetings of 10 to 400 people.

But any thought of all-work-and-no-play quickly vanishes on the 60-acre island playground. Florida Keys–style dining, water sports, and luxuriating in the 420 accommodations, including two- and three-bedroom villas, naturally lead the list of free-time activities. Some guests greet the day with hot coffee and pastries near the lobby’s new 1,300-gallon saltwater aquarium or breakfast at the restaurant Ocean, often followed by a toes-in-the-sand lunch at the Beach Grill, poolside refreshments at the Coral Grill, and evenings of Latin American–influenced cuisine at Alma.

For many, the fun begins with visits to the five pools or saltwater lagoon or newly renovated Calm Waters Spa. Others head to the newly renovated marina, with its brand-new dockside restaurant Angler & Ale. Meanwhile, the vast gamut of ocean sports vies for attention with other on-site attractions ranging from interaction with five resident dolphins to immersion in the Cliff Drysdale Tennis program; parties at sea aboard the resort’s event catamaran, Blue; even whole “Island Fun Days” on a secluded private islet.