This little boutique hotel is one of a rare breed in the Keys: upscale and newly renovated, yet still retaining that intimate and laid-back 'keys' charm that we all keep coming back for.

We stayed in the Coral Reef suite over Labor Day weekend. The decor and furnishings were beautiful and luxurious: new pillow-top mattress, high-end appliances in the kitchenette, stone and glass tile in the bathroom... completely top-notch. We made coffee (delicious stuff, by the way) and enjoyed the gorgeous ocean view every morning. We found the photos on their website to be very accurate, so take a good look at them when you're choosing your suite.

For us, though, the best thing about the property was its owner and staff. Mark and Mona were great - capable, friendly, knowledgable, and just plain fun to be around. Mark even showed us around town and introduced us to a few of the local night spots (the burgers at the Whistle Stop really *are* that good!). The time they take to connect with their guests meant a lot to us, and it'll keep us coming back to see them.

So - any negatives? Depending on your needs, there's a few things to be aware of. No pool or recreational areas as of yet, but plans are for that to be completed in winter '08/spring '09. The in-room air conditioners can be a little noisy if you're not used to it... when I first saw the unit right next to the bed I was quite disappointed, but the white noise actually helped me sleep better than I expected so it turned out not to be a factor.

For us, it was just what we were looking for at a price we could swallow. As Miami residents, we come down often and are happy we've finally found our 'regular' place. We'll be going back soon and telling all our friends about it.

All the prior reviews are right on. This inn is something of an anomaly. My girlfriend and I stayed here while attending a Mustang rally at Holiday Isle last weekend . This place is a rare gem. Their private oceanside beach is just outside your bedroom sliding glass door. Unlike larger inns on the beach, there are few if any guests out in the beach area, so it has the feel of a private home on the ocean. The inn is completely renovated, ground up, with new attractive and comfortable furnishings. Don't let the exterior photo fool you. In Monroe County, you can't build anything that doesn't look retro. We didn't miss the pool. We preferred a private and quiet beach outside our bedroom to a poolside beerfest.
The staff and management could not have been more accomodating. Talking to them, we learned the story behind this inn. The new owner neglected to oversee the renovation by his minority partner who went overboard with the design and furnishings. Egyptian cotton linens. Completely equipped kitchen, with all appliances including dedicated tea brewer and assortment of fine teas (my girlfriend loved that). Housekeeping was absolutely first rate. One would not expect that this (Islamorada) market would support this type of product at the prevailing rates. What they created, completely by accident, is a great inn with a niche market, properly targetted toward couples looking for private comfortable oceanside accomodations for a romantic vacation or weekend for two. Between its size and the helpfulness of the staff, it has the feel of a B&B.
Any squawks? Only one. Some guests might find the air conditioner too close to the bed. I didn't mind the white noise, but some may want to inquire about a room with reversed layout. Otherwise, we could not find a single flaw. When we return again to Islamorada, we won't even bother to conside staying at any other inn (Cheeca included). This is as close as you can get to a private house on the ocean in the keys without breaking the bank. This place is a rare gem.

We picked Ocean Dawn because it is brand new and wanted to see what it offered. The suite we stayed in was beautiful and it had a spectacular view of the ocean. Very private and the personal service was very nice. Everything was very clean and brand new. The private beach just steps away from the hotel was very relaxing. We played tennis on the red clay court which was great.
Perfect for a romantic getaway.

My wife and I enjoyed the personal attention we received from the owner (Mark) and the newly renovated suites were beautiful. We both enjoy playing tennis and the new clay court was just steps from our room. The beach front is beautiful, very quiet and private. We recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a romantic, relaxing get away. A true treasure in the keys! We are planning to go back and meet our extended family there for a reunion during the holidays.