Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton

We had fun with the resort-fee amenities, especially corn hole, foosball, and the paddle boards and kayaks. Calusa, the nicer restaurant, was a pleasant surprise for quality, while the other restaurant disappointed. Aside from a few issues, the stay was pleasant. Our suite was comfortable, but the bathroom was so tiny that the door almost hit the toilet when opened, making it cramped and awkward. Housekeeping was inconsistent: the room was cleaned on day one but no fresh towels were left, and on day two nobody came at all. We had to find a cart ourselves to get clean towels, which was frustrating and not what we expect from a hotel. More consistent housekeeping and some room-layout improvements could make this a much stronger stay.

We stayed in the Bakers Cay suite, a 2BR/1BA, with two adults and three children, and it worked perfectly for us. The kids loved the pool, beach, and garden, and the separate family and adults pools were a thoughtful touch so everyone could enjoy themselves. The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained, with nature easy to get to. Baker’s Cay feels like a destination in itself, almost another world when you arrive. We didn't eat at the restaurant or bar, but the poolside drinks were great and not outrageously priced.

The setting and grounds are lovely, and I'm glad we visited, but the experience didn't match the premium price or the upscale image. The rental water-sports and recreation gear looked worn, heavily used, and not especially clean. The restaurants were nicely designed, but most of the food was underwhelming for a resort of this caliber. Noise was the biggest problem. All weekend, guests yelled in hallways, slammed doors late at night, and shouted at children on the beach. That isn't fully within management's control, but it seriously affected our stay and didn't feel like a luxury resort. When we raised it, staff said deep discounts had been offered to fill the resort that weekend. That was surprising since we paid a premium rate. I'm glad we experienced Baker’s Cay, but it wasn't what we wanted. Better crowd management, upkeep of amenities, and food could bring it closer to the upscale stay it aims for.

We chose a beachfront room in the Coconut Wing, and it was worth every penny. The view was spectacular, the room spotless, and the staff so friendly and welcoming. The two beaches made the grounds feel like the Caribbean, and we had great weather, delicious drinks, and good food at the bar. We also enjoyed the on-site activities, especially kayaking and fishing. This October at Baker’s Cay was our 10-year anniversary trip. We hadn't traveled without our kids in nearly eight years, so it meant a lot. I was hesitant after reading reviews about ongoing construction and even considered switching to the Marriott, but I'm glad we stayed. It exceeded every expectation. We had the best time and are already talking about coming back, probably with the kids next time.