Treasure Harbor

Treasure Harbor is an Old Keys-style resort and marina in a private protected harbour, with the sort of low-key, practical setting that suits a water-based holiday. You have a balcony, air conditioning and a kitchenette in your room, so the rhythm is straightforward: get back, cool down, make a drink, and sit outside while the harbour does its quiet harbour business.

The accommodation works particularly well if you want more independence than a conventional hotel room gives you. There is space to prepare something simple, outdoor seating for a slow coffee, and a year-round outdoor pool when you would rather stay on land. It is also a sensible base for couples and families, with children of any age welcome and several room arrangements designed around more than two sleepers.

The atmosphere comes from the setting and the Old Keys character, not from a long list of formal hotel facilities. Treasure Harbor is also a marina and a base for water activities, with boat, kayak, paddleboard, snorkelling and fishing equipment available to rent.

You are at 200 Treasure Harbor Drive in Islamorada, in the United States, inside a protected private harbour. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is about 1.5 miles away, while Founders Park brings together a beach, a fitness path, ball fields, tennis and picnic areas for a change of scenery without leaving the island.

The location is useful for more than the view. The History of Diving Museum is about 3.8 miles away, and Theater of the Sea on Islamorada is around 2.4 miles away. For dinner, Puerto Vallarta is about 900 feet away, with Island Grill and Hog Heaven roughly 1.6 and 1.5 miles away respectively.

Miami International Airport is about 70 miles away. The surrounding area is easier with a car, and free private parking is available on site, with reservation required.

The rooms are set up for real downtime rather than simply sleeping and leaving again. Air conditioning matters after a hot day outdoors, while the ceiling fan gives you another way to keep the air moving. You also have a private bathroom, WiFi, a television, a seating area and a private entrance in the room facilities.

The kitchenette is the practical detail. A refrigerator, microwave, hob, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and kitchenware let you keep cold drinks ready and sort out something simple when a full restaurant meal is not what you want. There is also a dining area, so you can eat in without balancing a plate on your lap like a teenager at a bus station.

For a couple, the king-bed deluxe rooms with sea views make the most obvious choice among the listed options. If you are travelling with family or simply want more sleeping flexibility, the sea-view and family arrangements include combinations of large beds, single beds and sofa beds. Several rooms have balconies, and the sea-view options give you a reason to spend a little longer outside. Children are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available, so the existing bed arrangement matters when you choose.

There is no hotel restaurant or bar detail to build your evening around, so the rooms' kitchenettes do more than look useful in a floor plan. You can keep breakfast items, fruit and cold drinks in the refrigerator, use the microwave or hob for something easy, and make tea or coffee before heading out.

Outside, you have an outdoor dining area, picnic area, patio, terrace and barbecue facilities. That gives you a more relaxed way to eat on the days when you want to stay close to the harbour rather than dress up and go somewhere else. The outdoor furniture is there for the important business of sitting down after a long day.

When you do want to eat out, Puerto Vallarta is about 900 feet away. Island Grill and Hog Heaven are within roughly 1.5 miles, while Whistle Stop and Islamorada Beer Company are around 3.9 and 4.5 miles away for a drink. Starbucks is about 2.5 miles away if your morning runs on caffeine rather than optimism.

The year-round outdoor swimming pool is the obvious place to cool off, with sun loungers and beach chairs available for the less energetic parts of the day. You also have a terrace and outdoor seating, so relaxing does not require a treatment menu or a timetable. Sometimes a chair, shade and a cold drink are enough technology.

Treasure Harbor is particularly well suited to days spent on or beside the water. Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, fishing poles and boats are available for rent, while cycling and bicycle hire give you another way to explore Islamorada. The arrangement is useful for couples who want to split the day rather than follow the same plan from breakfast to bedtime.

Founders Park adds a beach, fitness path, tennis, ball fields and picnic areas nearby. You can also use the barbecue facilities at the property for a slower evening outdoors. The History of Diving Museum, about 3.8 miles away, is an especially apt stop when you want something connected to the sport without putting your head back underwater.

Check-in runs from 4 pm to 11.30 pm, and you need photo identification and a credit card on arrival. The minimum age for check-in is 21. Check-out is by 11 am, giving you a clear morning window before you leave for the airport or the next stop in the Keys.

Free private parking is available on site, but it requires reservation. WiFi is free throughout the property, and the rooms are non-smoking. Cash is not accepted, so keep a card available for the practical end of the stay. Pets are not allowed.

Miami International Airport is about 70 miles away. An airport transfer service is not detailed here, so a hire car or another pre-arranged way of reaching Islamorada deserves attention before you travel. With restaurants, parks and attractions spread along the Keys, having transport also makes the location considerably more useful.