Floating Sea Cove Resort & Marina

The best part of Floating Sea Cove Resort & Marina is being right on the water. We stayed in one of the unusual boat house rooms and had an unforgettable ocean view. In Marathon, it's well placed for exploring the Middle Keys, with Coco Plum Beach and Curry Hammock State Park only minutes away. It felt peaceful and tucked away from tourist crowds. The breeze off the water was soothing, and sitting on the terrace at sunset was a simple pleasure. The dock and long fishing pier are a big draw if you love the sea. This isn't a five-star luxury resort, and that's fine. The rooms are individually decorated, simple, clean, and comfortable, with a rustic, slightly worn-in charm. Staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and went out of their way to make the stay feel personal. It's a low-cost place with character, beautiful views, and an easygoing Keys feel. If you want a generic big-box hotel or modern amenities, look elsewhere. For a genuine waterfront stay, I highly recommend it.

Check-in was easy, the staff were friendly, parking was simple, and the location was convenient. Rates were reasonable, and it was quiet. Our room was over the water. One morning I spotted a stingray, sea urchin, baby jellyfish, and an octopus in the canal. If you want a place that really feels like Florida, this is it.

The room I booked was supposed to be on the water, but it wasn't available when I arrived. Manager Mike offered a road-facing unit as an upgrade and wouldn't refund me, saying he didn't make those decisions. Hotels.com told me they had spoken directly with him and that he refused the refund. I believe the boat house unit is a bait-and-switch. I wouldn't stay here. Go somewhere else and pay the difference.

The room had a fridge and TV, but no microwave, so I couldn't even heat water for coffee. It smelled musty, too. This wasn't the worst place I've stayed, but it came close.