
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Best for travelers who want a full-service, higher-end Florida Keys resort with private beach, multiple restaurants and a signature spa.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a five-star, family-friendly resort in Islamorada with private white-sand beach, multiple pools, pier, golf and extensive on-site activities. Holiday Inn Key Largo is a reliable, midscale branded hotel in Key Largo—read this if you’re weighing an upscale beachfront resort experience against a familiar IHG property with convenient Keys location and meeting space.
Updated · about 32 km apart

Best for travelers who want a full-service, higher-end Florida Keys resort with private beach, multiple restaurants and a signature spa.

Best for travelers who want a dependable branded hotel with meeting space, a single outdoor pool, on-site marina access and predictable amenities.
When Cheeca Lodge & Spa wins: choose Cheeca for a resort-focused stay—private white-sand beach, multiple oceanfront pools (including an adults-only relaxation pool), more dining outlets, a larger spa and on-site activities like a Jack Nicklaus–designed short golf course and fishing pier.
When Holiday Inn Key Largo wins: pick Holiday Inn Key Largo if you prefer a recognizable brand, lower-star midscale pricing, straightforward meeting and conference facilities, marina access and a single outdoor pool with convenient access to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and other Key Largo highlights.
Bottom line: Cheeca is the pick for a resort vacation where beach, activities and spa matter; Holiday Inn Key Largo is the practical choice for travelers seeking a known brand, conference facilities or a simpler Keys base.
| Category | Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Holiday Inn Key Largo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Five-star resort, resort-wide amenities and activity program | Three-star branded hotel-resort, business/destination convenience |
| Location | Islamorada (Mile Marker 82), Atlantic-side private beach | Key Largo, in the business district near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park |
| Size | Large resort on 27 acres with 240+ rooms (sources vary) | 132 rooms |
| Ages | All-ages resort with Camp Cheeca kids' club and family pools; adults-only pool areas | All-ages property; children eat free breakfast (policy for kids 11 and under) |
| Pools & beach | Three outdoor pools (two oceanfront family pools + adults-only relaxation pool) and 1,200 ft private white-sand beach + 525-ft fishing pier | One outdoor pool, hot tub and swimming nearby; not listed as private white-sand beach |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site restaurants and bars (Atlantic's Edge, Nikai Sushi, Mia Cucina, Tiki Bar, 25 South, Pierre's, Beach Café) | 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges, room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Cheeca Lodge — 5,700 sq ft, six treatment rooms, adults-only spa lap pool, fitness and classes | Health or beauty spa nearby (not an on-site full-service spa listed in supplier facts); 24-hour fitness center |
| Meetings & events | Over 15,000 sq ft of event space with multiple ballrooms and outdoor venues | 6000 sq ft conference space and 3 meeting rooms |
| Watersports & activities | On-site watersports, snorkeling lagoon, kayaks, paddleboards, fishing pier, golf course, sport courts | Scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours and dock/marina on site; fishing and motor boating available |
| Accessibility & family practicalities | Resort-wide complimentary Wi‑Fi, shuttle, valet and self-parking, pet program (select rooms only) | Free WiFi (wired & wireless), free self parking, accessible rooms and parking, concierge, business center |
Cheeca sits at Mile Marker 82 on the Atlantic side of Islamorada with 1,200 feet of private white-sand beach and a 525-foot fishing pier.
Cheeca is a resort destination set in Islamorada for guests prioritizing beach access and on-site activities.
Holiday Inn Key Largo is in Key Largo’s business area, within walking distance of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and local dining/attractions.
Holiday Inn Key Largo is convenient for reef access and Key Largo activities, positioned in the town center rather than as a private beachfront resort.
Cheeca offers 21 named room and suite types across over 240 rooms, including oceanfront bungalows and multi-bedroom suites.
Cheeca has more variety and larger-suite options suitable for families and groups.
Holiday Inn Key Largo has 132 air-conditioned rooms with standard king and queen configurations and some premium marina-view options.
Holiday Inn provides a predictable set of midscale room types and accessible options for business and family travelers.
Cheeca has multiple on-site dining venues covering seafood, sushi, Italian, pool and beach bars.
Cheeca is a better fit if on-site restaurant variety and beachfront bars matter.
Holiday Inn Key Largo has two on-site restaurants and two bars/lounges with limited room service hours.
Holiday Inn gives the basic, dependable dining options expected from a midscale branded hotel.
Cheeca centers its guest experience on beach access, three pools (two oceanfront family pools + adults-only pool) and a long fishing pier.
Cheeca’s beach, multiple pools and pier are the main draw for a Keys resort vacation.
Holiday Inn Key Largo offers a single outdoor pool, a hot tub and on-site marina access with opportunities for snorkeling and diving nearby.
Holiday Inn works well for guests prioritizing reef access and boat tours rather than private beach and multiple resort pools.
Cheeca’s on-site Spa at Cheeca Lodge is a full-service facility with treatment rooms, fitness classes and an adults-only lap pool.
Cheeca is stronger for spa and on-site wellness programming plus casual nightlife with live music.
Holiday Inn Key Largo lists a 24-hour fitness center and limited on-site evening dining and bar options.
Holiday Inn suits guests who need fitness access and simple evening dining/drinks rather than a destination spa.

Cheeca — private white-sand beach, two oceanfront family pools and a dedicated adults-only relaxation pool.

Holiday Inn Key Largo — 6000 sq ft conference space and three meeting rooms in a branded, business-friendly hotel.

Cheeca — The Spa at Cheeca Lodge with treatment rooms, adults-only lap pool and fitness classes.

Holiday Inn Key Largo — the Holiday Inn brand’s consistent room features and services appeal to travelers seeking dependable amenities.
Cheeca is designed for families with a seasonal kids’ club (Camp Cheeca), kid-friendly pools and many family activities; Holiday Inn Key Largo is family-friendly too but is a simpler, midscale option.
Cheeca has an on-site full-service spa (The Spa at Cheeca Lodge). Holiday Inn Key Largo lists a health/beauty spa nearby, not a large on-site spa facility in the supplier facts.
Cheeca has a private white-sand Atlantic beachfront; Holiday Inn Key Largo’s listing notes swimming and a marina nearby but does not advertise a private white-sand beach in the same way.
Holiday Inn Key Largo has 6000 sq ft of conference space and three meeting rooms; Cheeca also has extensive event space but is positioned as a larger resort option that can host bigger weddings and events.
Explore how Cheeca Lodge & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·