Beautiful Retreat to Casa Morada on Islamorada

I usually fall in love with a hotel as long as it’s clean, peaceful and the people are nice, but the Casa Morada in Islamorada is much more than that. We rarely have the chance to stay at an adults-only resort, which the Casa Morada is, and I think that added to how much I enjoyed the experience. I love traveling with my kids and sharing resort experiences with them, but checking into the Casa Morada and only having to worry about my own enjoyment was a fresh level of travel joy for me.

Have you gotten to stay at the Casa Morada in Islamorada before? If you’re planning a trip through the Florida Keys and won’t have children with you, staying somewhere that’s all about peaceful relaxation is such a treat and gives your Keys trip a completely different vibe. If you have any questions about staying at the Casa Morada or in the Islamorada area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help YOU have a magical Florida Keys experience.

Why Stay at the Casa Morada Resort

When I think about what I want from a vacation that’s purely relaxing and pleasant, I want quiet, relaxing places to disappear to, I want space to unwind, and want to be able to just be. With the Casa Morada we found all of these things. Our room was spacious with its own patio which led out to the gardens. Once outside there are benches, chairs, a garden pavilion and then the waterfront area. All of it is nicely manicured and maintained and there is plenty of shade.

What sets to vibe as the Casa Morada apart in addition to the beautiful outdoor spaces is the adults-only atmosphere. It’s not a big party like when you’re at the Havana Cabana in Key West, but it’s a mature setting that provides a very different feeling and experience than a family resort. I love traveling with my kids, don’t get me wrong, but staying at the Casa Morada was the first time I’d had an adults-only Florida Keys stay that I truly enjoyed and fully understood the difference created by not having kids around.

We get to go to so many cool places and stay in beautiful hotels with our kids, but often that time doesn’t feel like a recharge, as there is still parenting happening and the usual sounds of kiddos (which I don’t mind). Yes, I would’ve enjoyed snorkeling off the see wall with my kids or playing board games in the cabana with them, but instead of finding ways to occupy our time together, the adults-only travel style of the Casa Morada let me fully relax.

Book the Casa Morada here!

Room Options at the Casa Morada Resort

The rooms at the Casa Morada Resort are all very similar in layout with having either a king bed and living area with a sleeper sofa or a king bedroom with a loungy space that connects to either a patio or porch. The suites have tons of space and are very well maintained. Some have bathtubs and others have walk-in showers. You can even book a suite with an outdoor shower.

We stayed in the Barefoot suite which is on the ground floor, has a wonderful sleeper sofa living room setup with a desk, a restroom and vanity space, and then a king bedroom that leads out to the shady private patio. On the patio were two lounge chairs and then a sandy path through the gardens to the water. The rooms that aren’t at the ground level have porches/decks, so even if you’re booked in a second floor unit you still have nice outdoor space.

Casa Morada Adults Only Resort Amenities

For being a small resort, the Casa Morada actually has some really lovely amenities. There are bikes to borrow, SUPs and kayaks to launch from the resort, and even a beautiful vintage boat you can book (the Blue Mist antique boat isn’t included). Around the property there are pavilions for relaxing, hammocks, lounge chairs and outdoor gathering spaces. Next to the pool is the covered bar area (beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages) and just across the small footbridge from the swimming is the upstairs breakfast deck.

While you might not think of Islamorada as being a great snorkeling spot since it’s far off the reef and you have Key Largo to the north and Marathon to the south, there are actually tons of fish here along the Casa Morada property. Stepping off the seawall ladder, you’ll come into some awesome snorkeling along the wall, around the pilings and into the small marina area. Parrotfish, sergeant majors and Cassiopeia jellies make for a beautiful wildlife activity without having to book a trip or drive anywhere. I really enjoyed each of my swims from the Casa Morada’s waterfront. Such a perfect spot! It’s not as phenomenal as snorkeling at Sombrero Reef, but it’s great for easy access.

Another small thing to note is that the reception area for the Casa Morada has a wonderful selection of locally and responsibly sourced goods, from binoculars and wraps, totes to scrubs, and some necessities too. Every part of the resort is thoughtfully curated.

Dining at the Casa Morada

While there isn’t a full service restaurant on property at the Casa Morada Resort there is a beautiful area where complimentary breakfast is served daily. The breakfast spread includes eggs and meats, oats, pastries, fruit, fresh juices, coffee and more. In the afternoon the sunset bar is open for beer, wine, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, and if you want to bring your own snacks or charcuterie down here to enjoy the sunset, it’s great place to enjoy the afternoon quiet before heading out for dinner.

Where is the Casa Morada Resort Located?

You’ll find the Casa Morada Resort a few blocks off the Overseas Highway in Islamorada. It’s very near the Islamorada Brewing Co and the History of Diving Museum. A lot of people immediately think of Robbie’s of Islamorada when they hear “Islamorada” but the Casa Morada is not in that part of the town. Islamorada covers several keys and Robbie’s is on Lower Matecumbe Key while the Casa Morada Resort is on Upper Matecumbe Key. Windley Key State Park is just to the north, and then Plantation Key before getting to Key Largo. The Casa Morada Resort is an easy option for a short drive into the Florida Keys from Miami.

Activities and Sights Near the Casa Morada

You might not think of Islamorada or most of the Florida Keys as having things within walking distance since everything is stretched along the Overseas Highway, but here there is actually a nice wide sidewalk that connect much of the Islamorada community, so there is plenty to do near the Casa Morada. Also, it’s very easy to hop in the car and drive ten minutes to all sorts of activities, including state parks and historic sites in the Middle Keys.

• History of Diving Museum (walking distance)
• Islamorada Brewing Co (walking distance)
• Lorelei Restaurant and boat launch (walking distance and kayak launch)
• Marine Mammals Protection Center Exploratorium (walking distance)
• Robbie’s of Islamorada (10 minutes away)
• Florida Keys Boat Rentals (10 minutes away)
• Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park (10 minutes away)

There are many more ideas for things to do in Islamorada and down into the Middle Keys, but for now, use this as a jumping off point to start putting together your plan for staying at the Casa Morada, and don’t forget to relax during all this too.

More Ideas for Enjoying the Upper Keys

The Upper Keys go from Key Largo down through Islamorada, so there are a few towns you can visit or stay in before you make it down to Marathon and the Middle Keys. Islamorada is kind of in the Middle Keys but also in the Upper Keys, which makes it a great place to make your home base for a wide range of activities in experiences before you head down to Key West.

Here’s what we enjoy in the Upper Keys: