Hi. Has anyone been to Holiday Isle in Ismoralda Key recently? My wife, 6 yo daughter and I are thinking of going in late August and wondered if it was a good vacation spot. We have done AI in the Bahamas and the DR and wish to stay in the US this year. I also heard that HI is more of a party-scene place for singles or couples. Is this true? I also heard there is a kids program and wondered if anyone sent their kids there. I also heard that there is a ferry running from Miami to HI each day. Is that true? How are the accomodations? Should I get a car there or in Miami and skip the ferry (though my daughter would love the ride). Lastly, how was the beach? Thanks.

Holiday Isle is constant Spring Break. Not what you want to subject your six year old daughter to. Go down the road to Cheeca Lodge. They have kids programs.

The keys remind me of being in the islands.

BTW, the accommodations are a Howard Johnsons. Skip it.

No ferry from Miami.

Don't stay at Holiday Isle. It is a party place and as far as I know there is NOT any kind of kid's program. Your best bet would be Hawk's Cay in the middle keys. They have a wonderful kid's program, dolphin feed etc.

www.hawkscay.com

No ferry from Miami yet. There is one from Naples/Ft. Myers and they cut their schedule in summer. I would skip the ferry, if it gets rough it is not a fun ride. Better to fly into Fort Lauderdale than Miami and rent a car. FLL is an easier airport to get in and out of, nicer and IMO a better airport. Miami is sadly in need of MAJOR renovation and it is in a crummy area. It is a pain to get your rental car there.

If Cheeca Lodge is in your budget, stay there. Islamorada has lots to do for kids - be sure to go to Robbies at MM 77 (bayside) and feed the wild tarpon. Morada Bay is a good choice for a nice dinner. Your daughter can play on the sandy beach with the other kids while the adults have a nice dinner. There's a kids menu. Fly into Miami - there is no need to add 45 minutes of drive time from Ft. Lauderdale to the trip.

Pay no attention to xxx.

Miami airport sucks. You get better deals into FLL and it is a much nicer airport.