
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Best for families and travelers who want big beachfront grounds, a long fishing pier, and lots of on-site activities.
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Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a longtime, full-service Islamorada beachfront resort with family programming, extensive recreation and a large spa; this guide is for travelers who want classic Florida Keys resort amenities and on-site activities. Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Resort is a Marriott soft-brand property with a marina and multiple pools—read this if you prefer a Marriott-affiliated option with boating access and meeting space.
Updated · about 2.0 km apart

Best for families and travelers who want big beachfront grounds, a long fishing pier, and lots of on-site activities.

Best for guests who want Marriott Tribute Portfolio consistency, an on-site marina and easy access to boat-based activities.
When Cheeca Lodge & Spa wins: choose Cheeca for a traditional, full-service Florida Keys resort experience—private white-sand beach, multiple family pools plus an adults-only pool, a sizeable full-service spa (5,700 sq ft) and programing for kids and families.
When Three Waters wins: pick Three Waters if you want a Marriott soft-brand property with marina facilities, plenty of meeting space and a modern resort layout that emphasizes waterfront slips, multiple pools and on-site watersports rentals.
Bottom line: both are solid Islamorada options with boating appeal. If your priority is beachfront family resort amenities, on-site fishing and a larger spa program, Cheeca is the closer fit. If you prefer Marriott-affiliated rooms, a marina and conference capacity, Three Waters is the better match.
| Category | Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, full-service Florida Keys resort with wide on-site activity options and a resort-hotel scale. | Contemporary Marriott Tribute Portfolio property focused on marina access, event space and waterfront recreation. |
| Location | Atlantic-side beachfront at Mile Marker 82 with private white-sand beach and a 525-foot fishing pier. | Oceanfront/marina location on Overseas Highway in Islamorada with on-site marina slips and beach access. |
| Size / rooms | Over 240 rooms and suites across 27 acres (room counts vary by source). | 214 individually decorated guestrooms. |
| Ages / policy | All-ages resort with seasonal Camp Cheeca for kids and family-focused programming; adults-only pool areas exist on property. | All-ages resort overall, with several room types and an adults-only section ('Adults Only at The Cove' / 21 Plus) listed for some rooms. |
| Pools | Three outdoor pools on property (two oceanfront family pools + one adults-only relaxation pool) plus the spa's adults-only lap pool. | |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets (Atlantic's Edge, Nikai Sushi Bar, Mia Cucina, Tiki Bar, 25 South, Pierre's, Beach Café)—mix of family dining, sushi and seafood. | Four restaurants and two coffee shops/cafes; beach bar, poolside bar and three bars/lounges noted. |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Cheeca Lodge — 5,700 sq ft, six treatment rooms, adults-only lap pool, fitness center, sauna, classes. | Not published |
| Known for | Private 1,200 ft white-sand beach, 525-foot fishing pier (resort fishing program), Jack Nicklaus-designed 9-hole course and family activities. | On-site marina, motor-boat and paddlecraft availability, watersports and proximity to Windley Key and the History of Diving Museum. |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive event offerings including multiple ballrooms and over 15,000 sq ft of event space; large-capacity Islamorada Ballroom. | Large conference footprint: 87,295 sq ft of conference space and 10 meeting rooms. |
| Brand / loyalty | Independent luxury resort (not part of a major global soft-brand). | Marriott Tribute Portfolio (soft-brand affiliation). |
Cheeca sits on the Atlantic side of Islamorada at Mile Marker 82 with private white-sand beach and a long fishing pier.
Cheeca is the pick if beachfront, pier-based fishing and beachfront family space matter most.
Three Waters combines oceanfront rooms with an on-site marina and a mix of waterfront recreation.
Three Waters is a better choice if you expect to use a slip, rent motorized watercraft, or base activities around a marina.
Cheeca offers a broad mix of rooms, suites, bungalows and multi-bedroom villas suited to families and couples.
Choose Cheeca for diverse room configurations and larger suite/bungalow options for families.
Three Waters lists 214 individually decorated guestrooms with a variety of ocean- and marina-view options.
Three Waters is convenient for guests wanting marina- or ocean-view rooms and a distinct adults-only section.
Cheeca has multiple on-site restaurants spanning seafood, sushi, pizza and oceanfront casual dining.
Cheeca is strong for varied dining styles on property—family options plus more formal flagship dining.
Three Waters lists four restaurants and multiple bars, with on-site Latin American option Mercado Morada among them.
Three Waters matches Cheeca on dining quantity and concentrates on casual waterfront and Latin-influenced options.
Cheeca emphasizes beachfront recreation: private beach, multiple pools, a large fishing pier and watersport programs.
Cheeca is focused on beachfront leisure and family water activities plus resort-led fishing and snorkeling.
Three Waters focuses on waterfront access by combining pools with marina services and watercraft rentals.
Three Waters is tailored toward guests who plan to use a marina or rent motorized watercraft as part of their stay.
Cheeca runs a full-service spa and fitness offerings plus some evening live music at Atlantic's Edge and the Tiki Bar.
If a larger spa and scheduled wellness programming is central to your trip, Cheeca is likely the stronger match.
Three Waters lists 24-hour fitness facilities and multiple bars/lounges but a dedicated spa description is not provided in the supplier listing.
Three Waters supports fitness and casual evening drinks; spa details are not published in the supplied listing.

Cheeca — family programming (Camp Cheeca), kids’ activities, family pools and spacious suites/bungalows.

Three Waters — on-site marina, motor boating and boat tours listed among amenities.

Cheeca — a 5,700 sq ft full-service spa with six treatment rooms, fitness classes and an adults-only spa lap pool.

Three Waters — large conference footprint with 87,295 sq ft of conference space and 10 meeting rooms.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa is more family-focused with Camp Cheeca for children 12 and under, family pools, kids' activities and multi-bedroom suites.
Three Waters lists a marina on site and motorized watercraft/boat tours as amenities; Cheeca emphasizes beachfront and pier-based fishing rather than marina slips.
Yes — Cheeca publishes a 5,700 sq ft full-service spa with six treatment rooms and specific hours; Three Waters' supplier listing does not publish spa details.
Cheeca maintains adults-only pool areas and the spa lap pool reserved for guests 18 and older; Three Waters lists an adults-only room area called 'Adults Only at The Cove (21 Plus)'.
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