
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Best for families and travelers who want many on-site activities, multiple restaurants and a long private beach with a fishing pier.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a five-star, full-service Islamorada resort with a long private beach, multiple pools, several restaurants and family-friendly programming. Casa Morada is a smaller 3.5-star boutique hotel on Matecumbe offering quieter, more intimate luxury—use this guide if you’re choosing between a large resort experience and a small-property stay.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for families and travelers who want many on-site activities, multiple restaurants and a long private beach with a fishing pier.

Best for couples or travelers who prefer a quieter, boutique property with fewer rooms and a more intimate atmosphere.
When Cheeca Lodge & Spa wins: Choose Cheeca if you want a full-service resort with many dining options, on-site golf and wide activity choices for kids and adults (kids’ club, watersports, long beach and a large event program).
When Casa Morada wins: Pick Casa Morada if you prefer a smaller, quieter Islamorada hotel with boutique service, fewer rooms, and a low-key stay that feels more intimate than a large resort.
Bottom line: Both are upscale Islamorada options; Cheeca is the pick for families and activity-focused stays, Casa Morada is the pick for quieter, boutique-style stays—your choice depends on whether you want scale and variety (Cheeca) or small-property privacy (Casa Morada).
| Category | Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Casa Morada |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, full-service resort with resort-wide programming and busy public areas | Smaller boutique hotel with quieter, more intimate atmosphere |
| Location (Island / road access) | Atlantic-side Islamorada at mile marker 82 with private beach and pier | Islamorada (Matecumbe) on Overseas Hwy; walkable to local restaurants and shops |
| Size (rooms) | Over 240 rooms across 27 acres (multiple room types and bungalows) | 47 guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | All-ages resort with kids’ club (Camp Cheeca) and family programming | Adults-only property (no guests under 16) |
| Pools | Three main outdoor pools (two family oceanfront + 1 adults-only relaxation pool) plus spa’s adults-only lap pool | Number of outdoor pools - 2 (per supplier listing) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site restaurants and bars (Atlantic's Edge, Nikai Sushi, Mia Cucina, Tiki Bar, 25 South, Pierre's, Beach Café) | Limited on-site dining (room service available during limited hours); nearby restaurants within walking distance |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Cheeca Lodge — 5,700 sq ft, six treatment rooms, fitness center, adult lap pool, daily hours 9:00 AM–6:00 PM | Not published |
| Known for | 1,200 feet of private white-sand beach, 525-foot fishing pier, Jack Nicklaus executive 9-hole golf course | Boutique, quieter luxury in Matecumbe with free bikes and ecotour activities nearby |
| Parking & access | Free self-parking and valet parking; on-site boat/trailer parking (reservations required) | Free self parking available on-site |
Cheeca sits at mile marker 82 on the Atlantic side, with an extensive private beach and a long fishing pier.
Cheeca is a large beachfront resort with easy on-site beach access and a pier.
Casa Morada is on Matecumbe in Islamorada, within walking distance of local dining and attractions.
Casa Morada is centrally placed for low-key exploration of Matecumbe and short walks to local spots.
Cheeca offers a wide range of rooms and suites (over 240 rooms) across several building types and beachfront bungalows.
Cheeca is the choice when you need more room-type variety or family suites.
Casa Morada has 47 guestrooms with a set of studio and suite names (Studio, Suite, Junior Suite, Signature Suite, ocean-view variants).
Casa Morada offers a compact, consistent room inventory for a quieter stay.
Cheeca has several on-site restaurants and bars covering seafood, sushi, Italian and beachside cocktails.
Cheeca suits travelers who want multiple dining styles without leaving the resort.
Casa Morada’s supplier listing shows limited on-site food service and room service during limited hours; many guests dine at nearby Matecumbe restaurants.
Casa Morada is better if you want a quieter hotel and plan to dine out locally rather than at many on-site venues.
Cheeca’s property emphasizes beach time, watersports and a mix of family and adult pool spaces.
Cheeca is geared to guests who want a broad on-site beach and water-activity program.
Casa Morada lists two outdoor pools and beach-related amenities like sun loungers and umbrellas.
Casa Morada provides a quieter pool and beach experience with on-site access to bikes and ecotours.
Cheeca runs a full spa program and on-site fitness classes, plus evening live music at Atlantic’s Edge and the Tiki Bar.
Cheeca offers a full spa and programmed evening entertainment for guests who want activity and nightlife on property.
Casa Morada’s supplier listing notes Pilates and yoga classes on site and ecotour options; there is no spa facility published in the supplied listing.
Casa Morada supports wellness classes and low-key evening options but does not publish a dedicated full-service spa in the supplier listing.

Cheeca — kids’ club (Camp Cheeca), family pools, kids’ activities and many multibed room options.

Casa Morada — smaller property and adults-only policy for a quieter, more intimate stay.

Cheeca — multiple restaurants and two bars on property covering seafood, sushi, Italian and beach bites.

Casa Morada — fewer rooms and a boutique scale that appeals to travelers after quieter service.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa — it has a seasonal kids’ club (Camp Cheeca), family pools and many family-friendly room layouts.
Casa Morada’s listing includes beach amenities (sun loungers, umbrellas) and the property is adults-only; guests under 16 are not permitted.
Cheeca has a full-service spa (The Spa at Cheeca Lodge) with treatment rooms and an adults-only lap pool. Casa Morada’s supplier listing does not publish a dedicated full spa.
Cheeca — more on-site activities (golf, watersports, sport courts, pier, organized excursions and night programming).
Explore how Cheeca Lodge & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·