
Three Waters Resort and Marina
Best for active families, boaters, and guests who want a social marina with multiple pools, restaurants, and on-site water activities.
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Three Waters Resort and Marina is a social, marina-forward Islamorada resort with multiple pools, beaches, a 72-slip marina, and family-friendly programming. Cheeca Lodge & Spa is an iconic, full-service beachfront luxury resort with a large spa and classic Florida Keys atmosphere — read this if you’re choosing between a lively marina resort or a beachfront spa-focused stay.
Updated · about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) apart

Best for active families, boaters, and guests who want a social marina with multiple pools, restaurants, and on-site water activities.

Best for travelers who want a classic beachfront luxury hotel with a larger spa program and traditional Keys resort atmosphere.
When Three Waters wins: Choose Three Waters Resort and Marina if you want a lively, activity-driven stay — a full-service 72-slip marina, Rum Runner water taxi access to sister properties, three pools (including an adults-only Cove pool), and a wide set of casual and elevated dining options make it better for families, boaters, and groups.
When Cheeca wins: Pick Cheeca Lodge & Spa if a traditional beachfront property with an established spa program, formal restaurant options, and resort polish is your priority — it’s one of Islamorada’s best-known luxury resorts with onsite tennis courts, organized family programming, and a private beach.
Bottom line: Both are upscale Islamorada waterfront stays; Three Waters skews social and marina-focused with more on-site dining and activity variety, while Cheeca skews classic beachfront luxury with a stronger spa/clubhouse feel. Your decision should hinge on whether you want marina action and multiple pools (Three Waters) or a more formal beachfront-luxury spa environment (Cheeca).
| Category | Three Waters Resort and Marina | Cheeca Lodge & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Social, marina-first, activity-heavy | Iconic beachfront, resort‑and‑spa polish |
| Location | Mile Marker 84, waterfront with marina | 81801 Overseas Highway, Mile Marker 82, beachfront |
| Size (rooms) | 214 rooms, suites, and cottages | 243 guestrooms |
| Audience / age policy | All ages overall; The Cove is 21+ enclave | All ages (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Three outdoor pools, including a 21+ Cove pool; Kokomo swim-up bar | |
| Restaurants & bars | Nine+ venues (Kindler Wood-Fired Fare, Little Limón rooftop, Mercado Morada, Tiki Bar, Kokomo swim-up bar, etc.) | 3 restaurants, 2 poolside bars, coffee shop; 24-hour room service available |
| Spa & wellness | Oceanside Massages / Ooh La La beach massages and open-air fitness options | Full-service spa with massages, body treatments, facials, sauna and fitness offerings |
| Marina & boating | Full-service marina with 72 slips and transient slips; fishing charters on site | Boat tours on site and boat access nearby; supplier listing notes on-site boats |
| Family features | Kids' activities, arcade/game room, children's pools, soft-serve window (Lucky Twist) | Children's club (free), children's games, family-friendly beaches |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive event options with multiple beachfront venues and large capacities (beach venues up to 400) | Conference space and 5 meeting rooms totalling ~10,000 sq ft |
Three Waters sits at mile marker 84 on 15 waterfront acres with an on-site full-service marina.
Choose Three Waters for marina access, easy boat-based outings, and a central Islamorada spot near local attractions.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a beachfront resort at Mile Marker 82 in Islamorada.
Choose Cheeca for a straight beachfront location close to Islamorada’s restaurants and cultural spots.
Three Waters offers 214 rooms, suites, and cottages across several room types including Cove (21+) options.
Three Waters has a broad room mix that suits families, groups, and adults seeking a 21+ enclave.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa lists 243 guestrooms spanning bungalows, lodges and suites.
Cheeca’s room lineup is large and skewed toward traditional resort rooms and standalone bungalows for a classic Keys stay.
Three Waters emphasizes on-site variety with casual and elevated options across the property.
Three Waters is better if you want many on-site dining choices and lively evening venues.
Cheeca lists three restaurants plus poolside bars and 24-hour room service.
Cheeca focuses on classic resort dining and room service rather than a wide cluster of theme-driven venues.
Three Waters has three year-round pools, three beaches and a lively swim-up bar.
Pick Three Waters for multiple pool scenes, family beaches, and a dedicated adults-only enclave.
Cheeca also lists three outdoor pools and a private beach.
Cheeca is a solid choice if you want traditional beachfront pools and a quieter beachfront setting.
Three Waters mixes open-air fitness and oceanside massages with active evening venues.
Three Waters blends casual nightlife with beachside treatment options and activity-focused wellness.
Cheeca offers a full-service spa and organized wellness options.
Cheeca is the stronger pick for an onsite full-service spa and a more traditional resort wellness program.

Full-service 72-slip marina, transient slips, and on-site fishing charters make Three Waters the clear pick for boating and fishing.

Cheeca’s long-standing beachfront location, spa, and traditional resort layout suit travelers looking for a conventional Keys hotel experience.

Three Waters’ multiple pools, children’s activities, arcade/game room, and many casual dining options give families more variety on site.

Cheeca lists a full-service spa with massages, body treatments, facials and sauna facilities for guests prioritizing spa services.
Three Waters — it has a full-service marina with 72 slips and regular fishing charters; Three Waters is tailored to boaters.
Neither property is entirely adults-only. Three Waters includes The Cove, a 21+ enclave, while Cheeca is an all-ages beachfront resort.
Three Waters has a larger collection of on-site dining outlets and bars (numerous venues including Kindler, Little Limón, Tiki Bar, Kokomo and more).
Cheeca lists a full-service spa with multiple treatment types; Three Waters offers oceanside spa services and beach massages but Cheeca’s supplier listing emphasizes a larger traditional spa program.
Explore how Three Waters Resort and Marina stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·