Jacqueline had the opportunity to check out the amenities, food, and beverage at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key in the Florida Keys.
One of the best parts about living in South Florida is the access to the Florida Keys, our very own slice of paradise just a short drive away. It’s quite easy to pop down for a bit of r+r on a long weekend; no passport required.
Anyone who drives to the Keys knows that once you hit Monroe County on the 18-mile stretch of US1, the energy completely changes. You’re now on island time and worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
About halfway between Miami and Key West in the middle Keys is a tiny little island with lots to offer. Just a two-hour drive from Coconut Grove is Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key Island, a few miles north of Marathon. Here, on this 60-acre true resort property, the water is warm, the drinks are tropical, and the dolphins are ready to play. It’s this type of paradise, wrapped in an island-y lifestyle package, that makes it easy to say “see ya” to the real world for a while.
Hawks Cay resort has a total of 427 villas and hotel rooms, six restaurants, a saltwater lagoon, five swimming pools, a full-service spa, as well as onsite watersports, fishing charters and Dolphin Connection facility. There is something for everyone on this little island.
While you’re there, lay back and relax, order a glass of Sancerre, and…
Swim with the Dolphins
The Dolphin Connection facility is onsite at Hawks Cay, with seven adult dolphins who are ready to play. Guests need to reserve their experience ahead of time, but it is worth making that call.
If getting in the water is too intimidating, guests can choose to do the dockside experience where they still get interaction with the friendly animals who call this place home. Trainer for a day and swimming experiences are also available for those who want to be fully immersed in the dolphin habitat.
The dolphins are mostly rescues who are happy to interact with the humans who visit. They are housed in a lowline fenced natural pen with plenty of room and depth to roam. Check it out for yourself, and make some memories to last a lifetime.
Relax at the Spa
Who doesn’t love a little island spa time? The full-service spa at Hawks Cay is 7,000 square feet and has eight treatment rooms including two couple’s suites, three facial rooms, and a tropical rain room with Vichy shower for body treatments.
In the relaxation room, have some tea while you wind down and enjoy thriving on island time.
Attached to the spa is a fitness room where guests can work out their bodies with gym equipment or group fitness classes. Check the daily schedule for a class that energizes you.
Enjoy live music by the adults-only pool
Sure, Hawks Cay is a great place for families with kiddos, but there are certain places where there are no kids allowed. At the adults-only pool at Oasis Cay, there are still daily activities for the “big kids” like cornhole and other games, where participants play to win a coveted bucket of beer. Throughout the day, there are times when guests can lounge poolside while a guitarist plays classic songs by request.
Have fish dip or filet for dinner
Hawks Cay has a variety of dining options for all the different culinary moods guests may have while on vacation. The newest concept onsite is Sixty-One Prime. Here, guests can enjoy a gourmet dining experience with a filet, fresh seafood, and local ingredients. Menu favorites include the Key West pink shrimp with white bean cassoulet and smoked tomato oil, Kurobuta pork belly with apple turnip chutney and blackberry pearls, and McCoy Ranch grass-fed Delmonico with bone marrow fritter and tobacco onions.
Ask the bartender for any off-list wines he may have available. It’s possible there are some bottles on reserve for discerning wine enthusiasts.
(Stay tuned for upcoming wine dinners and tastings at Sixty-One Prime!)
If guests are in the mood for something more casual, Angler & Ale, overlooking Hawks Cay Marina, is the spot to go. Here, menu favorites include the Whole Fried Snapper, Grouper Cheeks, ceviche of the day, and fresh fish dip. And better yet, guests also have the option to ‘Hook N Cook’ where they can bring in their fresh catch of the day and have the chef prepare it that evening. Time to go fishing!
Grab some snacks and beverages poolside at the Tiki Grill, or the Hawks Cay Marketplace, which is also stocked with beer and wine to-go.
But if you’re feeling extra Keys-y…
Skip the Sancerre and Enjoy Papa’s Pilar Rum
At the Pilar Bar, of course! Pilar was the name of Ernest Hemingway’s beloved boat, and it is now the name of the Florida Keys’ very own rum – Papa’s Pilar Rum from Key West.
But you don’t need to go all the way down to Key West to enjoy a tasting of Papa’s Pilar. At the Pilar Bar at Hawks Cay, guests can sip rum with ocean views and spend their day in a very Hemingway … way. Enjoy rum cocktails or ask for a taste of the dark, blonde, or even sherry cask rum. Wine lovers won’t be disappointed by the last of these, as it is very reminiscent of the sherry we know and love. Perfect for sipping while enjoying those magical Keys sunsets.
For more information about Hawks Cay, please visit their website.
You can find other places we like to travel in our Travel section on Wine Guide Miami.
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.