Are you looking for the best hotels and resorts in Marathon, Florida? We have some great recommendations to share with you and hope that it will help you plan your next visit to this beautiful corner of the world. Our top picks include some of the most popular and highly-rated properties in the Middle Keys (and a few in Islamorada), so we are sure that you will find an ideal fit for your needs. If you’re looking for fun places to stay in Marathon and the Middle Keys, we’ve got you covered!
I really like staying in Marathon because it’s so calm and chill, and the rest of the Middle Keys have this same vibe. If you’re looking for a place to stay while you’re in town, here are some of the best resorts and hotels in Marathon. If you have a favorite spot to stay on Marathon, Grassy or the rest of the Middle Keys that we didn’t include, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always looking to try new places and share with others!
Top Choices for Where to Stay on Marathon & the Middle Keys
So you’re planning to stay in the Middle Keys because you don’t want to be all the way in Key West or maybe you’re looking for a resort that’s more quiet. That’s a great idea! You’ll find that the snorkeling and fishing off Marathon and the Middle Keys is fantastic, and you’ll have a very different Florida Keys experience than staying in Key West or Key Largo. PS, if you want to be just a tiny bit north of Marathon, Islamorada is a great spot to consider as well and it’s not all large resorts. More on that later…
Resorts and Hotels in Marathon, Grassy Key and Duck Key
The primary Middle Keys you’ll be looking for where to stay are Marathon, Grassy Key and Duck Key. There are other islands too, but these are where we always find ourselves and where you have the most options. Marathon proper has quite a few national travel brand hotels including Hilton and Marriott, so it’s usually a good pick for people who like to visit the Florida Keys on a budget as you can often use points for your stay.
Faro Blanco Courtyard Marriott Marathon
I love staying at the Courtyard Faro Blanco on Marathon. I think it’s one of the best properties in the Keys if you’re traveling with teens or older kids. It’s luxurious, comfortable and relaxing and is perfect for a weekend getaway or as a home base for a week of fishing and snorkeling in the Middle Keys. The Courtyard Faro Blanco on Marathon is an easy stay, and you may even be able to use your Bonvoy points for it. This peaceful hotel offers everything you need for a perfect vacation, including an infinity pool, marina pool, snorkeling cove and beautiful water views. You’ll also enjoy convenient access to all of the best activities and dining in Marathon. Whether you’re in town for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, the Courtyard Faro Blanco is the perfect place to stay.
Location: Bay side, southern end of Marathon
Book Courtyard Faro Blanco on Marathon here!
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
We enjoyed a great adults-only Florida Keys trip and got to spend a few days here at the Faro Blanco Resort. The Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club is Marathon’s only full-service resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. This contemporary hotel offers 24/7 dining, two outdoor pools, a really great fitness center, and a full-service marina with a polished restaurant/bar and water views. There is also a wonderful spa here, the Ocean Spa, which offers day passes that are totally worth considering for a rainy day or just for getting a break from other humans.
The convenient location is just 2 miles from Crane Point Hammock (fish pedicures!), walking or biking distance from historic Pigeon Key, and 9 miles from Curry Hammock State Park, making it the perfect base for exploring all Marathon offers. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed adventure, Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club is the perfect place for you.
Location: Bay side, south end of Marathon near Pigeon Key
Book Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club on Marathon here!
The Gulf View Waterfront Resort
The Gulf View Waterfront Resort is a small hotel in Marathon that offers a quiet escape, complimentary parking, loaner kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, a heated outdoor pool, BBQ grills, guest laundry facilities, plus bike and fishing rod rentals. What makes this place unique is its intimate size and charming atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Key Largo or Key West life and just relax in paradise. If you want something a little more detached from Marathon, as it really is a full-on town, the Gulf Waterfront Resort is on Grassy Key, which is just north and is very peaceful.
Location: Bay side, north Grassy Key near Bongos Beer Garden (a gem of an afternoon hangout)
Book the Gulf View Waterfront Resort on Marathon here!
Tranquility Bay Beach Resort
Tranquility Bay is a unique beach resort located in Marathon, Florida and has one of the prettiest settings in the Florida Keys. This resort is perfect for those looking for a tropical getaway that is away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life where you feel like you’re encapsulated within palm trees and gardens. The resort offers hotel rooms, private beach houses with their own entrances, pools, on-site watersports, and a private beach with a snorkeling cove making it one of the most fun places to stay. This allows guests to have the privacy they desire while still being able to enjoy all that the resort has to offer. Also, I will say that the most beautiful meal I’ve had in the Florida Keys was at the Butterfly Cafe at the Tranquility Bay Beach Resort. Amazing food, beautiful atmosphere, and exceptional service.
Location: Bay side, south end of Marathon
Book the Tranquility Bay Resort on Marathon here!
Hawks Cay Resort
When you’re considering where to stay in the Middle Keys or Marathon, Hawks Cay Resort will come up in your search for hotels or vacation rentals. This is an interesting property in that is has a dedicated hotel building with pools and a lagoon and restaurants, but then there’s much more to the property also Hawks Cay Resort spreads into condo and townhouse areas with a wide variety of accommodations. It’s a fun place to stay no matter what the resort setup you choose, and you’ll love the watersports options available on property.
Location: Ocean side on Duck Key, just north of Marathon
Grassy Flats Resort
I feel like the Grassy Flats Resort is kind of a hidden gem that not many people have heard of or that they just miss because it’s not well-signed as you’re driving the Overseas Highway. One of the most mellow places to the stay in the Middle Keys, it’s just north of Marthon on Grassy Key. I like the room layouts with their big decks and the great pool areas. There is an adults-only swimming pool and a pool for all, as well as beach access. A bonus of staying at Grassy Flats Resort is the wonderful rooftop bar with the best happy hour appetizers in the Marathon area.
Location: Ocean side on Grassy Key, just north of Marathon
Book the Grassy Flats Resort here!
Siesta Motel
Siesta Motel in Marathon is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a laid-back, down-to-earth place. The rooms have TVs, kitchenettes with fridges, coffeemakers, and microwaves, and the suites even have full kitchens and tables. There are also plenty of on-site amenities and activities, including a picnic area with BBQ grills and boat docking. You can also enjoy access to the two nearby pools. With so much to offer, Siesta Motel is the perfect place to stay for your next vacation if you’re looking to stay within a tighter budget and if you don’t need all the fanciness of big resorts.
Location: Ocean side, mid-Marathon near the airport
Book the Siesta Motel on Marathon here!
Sea Cove Resort & Marina
Sea Cove Resort & Marina in Marathon is a unique and quirky place to stay. The hotel is on the Atlantic Ocean side and provides stunning views with a boat-based design. Yes, Sea Cove is known for having “floating rooms.” It’s not fancy, but it’s a fun stay and there are lots of things to do nearby. The resort is close to Sombrero Beach and Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, making it a good home base to explore the area and an easy choice for a fun, budget place to stay. The Sea Cove offers complimentary parking, a picnic area with barbecue grills, a pier, a launching ramp, and boat slips, making it the good place to stay for those who love the outdoors and don’t need to be fancy.
Location: Ocean side but protected cove, mid-Marathon
Book the Sea Cove Resort & Marina on Marathon here!
Banana Bay Resort & Marina
If you’re looking for a great deal where there’s a lot of value, the Banana Bay Resort & Marina is a fun, tropical-style resort in Marathon. The resort is set on a huge piece of land along the Bay side and offers guests a private beach, hot tub, heated outdoor freshwater pool, and two tennis courts. The resort also has a poolside tiki bar and barbecue grills for guests. Banana Bay Resort & Marina is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Florida Keys and it looks really unsuspecting from the Overseas Highway, so you may be pleasantly surprised when you get all settled in.
Location: Bay side, south/mid Marathon
Book the Banana Bay Resort & Marina Here!
Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway
I know we have a lot of recommendations for places to stay in Marathon at the south end of the Key, but it’s because it really is a good place to be base. Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of bigger resorts and you can even enjoy snorkeling tours from here. Nestled along Florida Bay, this down-to-earth hotel offers beautiful views of the water and a variety of activities to keep you entertained during your stay. From fishing and kayaking to parasailing and snorkeling, there’s something for everyone at Captain Pip’s making it one of the most fun places to stay. So relax and enjoy all that this hidden gem has to offer.
Location: Bay side, south Marathon
Book Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway on Marathon here!
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Marathon
When we’re traveling in general, we like the Fairfield brand because the rooms tend to be larger and it’s a mellow experience that is easy with kids. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Marathon is the perfect place to stay for a ready-to-go tropical vacation. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast, parking, as well as on-site dining and watersports rentals. I like that the Fairfield has easy access to the water, so it’s pretty regular to see manatees. Again, like with the Courtyard Faro Blanco, this is a great opportunity to be able to use Bonvoy points to cover your vacation.
Location: Ocean side, north Marathon near Curry Hammock State Park
Book The Fairfield Inn & Suites on Marathon here!
Hampton Inn Marathon
It’s great having so many places to stay in Marathon that are a part of larger travel brands. While finding unique hotels and resorts is always nice, it’s great to have a good standard where you know what to expect, and the Hampton Inn Marathon is just that. This is a popular choice for travelers to Marathon because it fits a budget, has a great pool and outdoor space, and has a good location near the state park. The hotel offers spacious rooms, a complimentary hot breakfast, a pool, and a fitness center and more. Guests can enjoy many activities and attractions nearby, and avoid weekend traffic in the central core of town since it’s located at the north end of Marathon.
Location: Ocean side, north end of Marathon
Book the Hampton Inn on Marathon here!
Bonus: Islamorada Resort Recommendations
If our recommendations for where to stay in Marathon and the Middle Keys didn’t quite suit your dream trip, it’s not that much further north to stay in Islamorada. I feel like Islamorada is a little busier and more geared for an active trip than Marathon, but it’s a really fun, lovely area to stay. Keeping in line with planning a relaxing and peaceful trip, here are our top picks for the best stay on Islamorada
Casa Morada Resort
I think spending a few days at the Casa Morada Resort at the middle part of Islamorada is one of the best vacations or getaways you can plan in the Florida Keys. You have easy access to the Middle Keys or up to Key Largo, so you can’t beat the location, and then the setting really is the most magical part. Large, quiet rooms with private outdoor spaces are all set into a garden atmosphere connected to the swimming pool and decks by gravel paths leading to a footbridge. The snorkeling from the property is phenomenal and the vibe is unmatched when it comes to giving solitude and beautiful. I love the Casa Morada Resort!
Book the Casa Morada Resort here!
Coral Bay Resort
Our last pick for a stay in Islamorada that makes you glad you’re there even if you thought you wanted some place to stay in Marathon, is the Coral Bay Resort. This is a cute collection of pastel bungalows on the bay side of Islamorada. It’s at the southern end of the village, so it’s easy access to the Middle Keys. I love the outdoor spaces, the bbqs and community that you’ll meet, and of course I’m a huge fan of getting to have amazing snorkeling directly from the property. The Coral Bay Resort is amazing and I know you’ll love it!
Check out Coral Bay Resort on Tripadvisor!
If you’re looking for an exciting and luxurious getaway, or just something super chill, Marathon is the perfect destination. With so many resorts and hotels to choose from, you’re sure to find fun places to stay that meet your needs. Book now and enjoy all that this beautiful town has to offer.
We’re always open to hear where other people like to stay when they visit Marathon, Big Pine or others in the Lower Keys, so if you have a suggestion to share, please leave a comment or send us a note!
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