My husband and I will be going to the Keys in May to go scuba diving. We have been told by a dive shop in Houston to stay in Marathon becuase it is more central to all the good dive sites. I have looked up some hotels and Banana Bay Resort and Hawks Cay look good on the internet---any thoughts on these two? We are looking for a good place to relax and have drinks on the beach or by a pool in the afternoon. We will be diving most mornings. We just want to relax in beautiful surroundings. Also any info on Marathon restarants would be good. Thanks!

Ask Ron. He is the expert on the Keys.
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GOod one!

I stayed on Marathon in Feb. and found it to be pretty quiet. It is very central though. I will top my report for you if I can find it.

We stayed at Key Lime resort which I really wouldn't recommend.

I highly recommend Looe Key Dive shop though! Fantastic!

Thanks so much Wendy for your trip report. I appreciate your restaurant suggestions. Anyone ever stayed at Banana Bay or Hawks Cay, any thoughts?

Hawk's Cay is pretty hard to beat. They've got a dandy little lagoon that's a great place to enjoy a drink. I don't think you'll go wrong there.

Hi Wendy,

Although Marathon does have a central location, it's not my favorite key & you probably won't find many nice places in the area. The nicest places are going to be in Key Largo & Key West (the northern most & southern most keys, respectively).

But, if you are set on staying in the middle (very convenient!), Hawks Cay (I think it is before Marathon) has a great reputation and will be a great choice.

If you looking for a romantic getaway rather than a family place (like Hawk's Cay), and price is not of concern, then check out Little Palm Island, which is just past Marathon. It is romote and sheshe posh. I have never been, but it has won all kinds of rewards and I believe that it even has celebrity approval.

I have never heard of Banana Bay, so I can't help you out with that other than suggesting you go with reputation.

I'll be happy to answer any more questions you may have (although I am not by any means a Keys expert, but I grew up in Miami & spent a lot of time in the keys, esp. Marathon).

Have fun!

Thanks Shannon for the info. We were going to go to Key West but we heard that the diving down south is not as good and that is why we are going. So, I think we will try to stay central and take a trip down to Key West one afternoon. Little Palm looks great but way out of our price range. We have thought about taking thier ferry over for lunch though. I will check out Hawks Cay to see what they have available. Any thing we MUST DO while in the Keys?

Wendy: Excluding Key West, there are several things that are must-sees.

Somewhere around MM90, on the right, there's a Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center that's worth a visit.

Not far from there, also on the right, is the Rain Barrel Crafts Co-op. They've got a lovely little garden that can be an oasis on a hot day. There's a little snack bar that sells cold (non-alcoholic) drinks--and sandwichesm if I recall rightly.

And as you leave Marathon, before you start on the 7-Mile Bridge, there's Pigeon Key. Stop at the old railroad car just on the left to get more information. You can ride the tour out, or go out on your own. It's an interesting stop.

Down around MM37 is Bahia Honda State Park. They have snorkling trips out of there, and it's just a nice park to check-out. There are two beaches here: The obvious one, not far from the concession building, and the larger, nicer one on the oceanside. Also, take the drive to/through the campgrounds that runs under Rt 1 and check out the location of the condos. Might want to stay there someday.

If you're driving down from Miami, or points north, take a left on Card Sound Road, just beyond Florida City. Go down the road until you come to the toll bridge (it's a few miles,) and stop at Alabama Jack's, on your right. Might just be the neatest, funkiest bar in all the Keys.

Wendy, I was wondering if you could tell me what the problems were at Lime Tree Bay Resort. I have reservations there that can be canceled so I would really like to know. Thanks

Does anyone have info about Pines & Palms? We just booked for June, but haven't seen much on this board...

stayed at B. Bay many times....and as I've said before its very nice for an older property although I've had a few problems w/ the staff (not bad enough that I wouldn't stay again) the property/pool area is beautiful as is the marina/beach area around back. the marina view rooms are above average and the price is right ($115 last time we stayed in Oct '01). our neighbors use hawks cay but i don't think you can compare the two as HK is probably double (or more) the price of BB.

Linda- we stayed at Key Lime Resort- is this the same? Anyway there is nothing specifically "wrong" with the property, it's just not pretty at all. The condo's are fine but it's quite barren. Most of the people there own their time share so it's an apartment for them. There is no restaurant but their is a tiki bar by the pool. there is no waterfront to walk on.

I just think there have got to be nicer, prettier places to stay.

We liked staying at CocoPlum in Marathon. Off the beaten path, nice pool and beach. www.cocoplum.com