Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton [In-Depth Review]

I took my family on a road trip to Key Largo for Labor Day weekend, steering clear of airports to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday weekend.

As I explored hotels near my home in South Florida, Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton, immediately came to mind. This resort caught my attention years ago, and I’ve been eager to visit it since it was converted from the Hilton Key Largo in 2018.

I’ve heard countless positive testimonials about it over the years, and being so close to home, I was excited to finally get the chance to visit this property on Key Largo, the northernmost island of the Florida Keys.

Keep reading to learn more about this luxury Key Largo resort.

Booking Baker’s Cay Resort

Over the years, I’ve considered booking a stay at the family-friendly Baker’s Cay Resort. However, every time I try to make a reservation, the nightly rates are off-putting — frequently exceeding $600 per night. The same can be said for the other luxury resorts in the Florida Keys, which are popular with tourists and locals looking for a slower pace.

Upon reviewing the nightly rates for 2 nights over Labor Day weekend, I was surprised to discover that I could redeem Hilton Honors points at the standard award rate of 90,000 points per night.

I would have spent $630 per night plus taxes and fees to pay cash for my stay.

Given our valuation of Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents each, redeeming points for a standard room here during Labor Day weekend would result in a redemption value of 0.7 cents per point for me.

I figured it would be a good idea to book with points. However, I encountered a small issue: I had to start from scratch since I had depleted my Hilton points balance.

Fortunately, I knew Hilton was running a limited-time points purchase promotion during which I could receive a 100% bonus on the total number of points purchased.

I wouldn’t typically advise buying points, but out of curiosity, I decided to crunch the numbers and see if purchasing 180,000 points would be more cost-effective than paying more than $600 per night (which I likely wouldn’t have done anyway).

With the opportunity to earn a 100% bonus, I purchased 90,000 points, giving me 180,000 points to use for my 2-night stay. The total cost to acquire the points needed was $900, which averaged $450 per night.

Because Points.com processes Hilton Honors point purchases, they do not qualify as hotel purchases for credit card spending purposes. Therefore, I purchased the points with my Capital One Venture X Business Card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., which earns 2x miles on all purchases.

While it’s not a steal, I was ecstatic to save over $200 per night by buying and redeeming points instead of paying the standard cash rates.

Hot Tip:

If you need more points, check out our in-depth guide to earning lots of Hilton Honors points.

Location of Baker’s Cay Resort

Baker’s Cay Resort is on the southern side of Key Largo, conveniently located just off the scenic overseas highway connecting all the keys to mainland Florida.

The Florida Keys are not renowned for having many beaches. Still, this resort has beaches suitable for swimming and enjoying water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. It’s even better for world-class water activities such as diving, snorkeling, boating, and fishing.

The nearest commercial airport to Baker’s Cay Resort is Miami International Airport (MIA), which is 1 hour and 20 minutes away by car. If you fly into Key West International Airport (EYW), you’re looking at approximately a 2-hour drive to the resort. The drive from Miami is quicker than flying to Key West, and Miami offers many more flight options as a much larger airport.

The resort is just 6 miles from John Pennekamp State Park, Tradewinds Shopping Center, and various restaurants serving the freshest seafood.

Checking In and Elite Benefits

I drove from my home in Fort Lauderdale to the resort’s guard gate in about 1.5 hours. The gate attendant asked for my last name, and after going through his check-in list for the day and finding my reservation, he gave me a parking pass and welcomed me to the resort.

It was unclear how to park, so I pulled up to the valet area, emptied the trunk full of bags, and gave the keys to the valet, who doubled as a bellman.

Later, I discovered that Hilton Honors Diamond members like me can self-park or valet for free. There were even exclusive parking spaces for Diamond members. I have Hilton Honors Diamond status due to my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which grants cardholders this top-tier status simply for having the card.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

I loved the resort’s open-air walkways and surrounding vegetation that gave it a luxurious jungle feel.

A colossal, warmly-lit black chandelier stood before a large, sensor-equipped wooden door that opened automatically.

The hotel’s main building had a warm ambiance with modern decor, lots of natural light, and comfortable seating.

As I made my way through the lobby and approached the front desk, I gave my name to the associate and handed over my credit card for incidentals.

She then gave me a small pamphlet outlining the various amenities included in the $49 resort fee and a waterproof wristband keycard that would serve as my room key. The wristband keycard was convenient and eliminated the worry of losing it as long as I kept it on my wrist.

I was also given a small card listing some extra benefits for Hilton Diamond members: a complimentary coffee upgrade, complimentary parking, and Diamond turn-down service.

Once I got my keys, I explored the lobby further before going to my room.

Adjacent to the front desk was a quaint gift shop, perfect for accommodating guests who may have overlooked a few essentials and require some last-minute purchases.

I couldn’t help but notice a pool table at the far end of the front desk area.

Surrounding it were tables, chairs, and a bookshelf brimming with books.

The hotel rooms were in 2 separate buildings, the Hammock Wing and the Coconut Wing. The Hilton app let me select my room and floor ahead of check-in, and I picked a room on the Coconut Wing, a little farther away from the restaurants and beach action, for more quietness.

I was unaware that not all of the resort’s 200 hotel rooms and suites are waterfront-facing. Because I am a Hilton Honors Diamond elite member, I could choose a waterfront room with 2 queen beds on the Coconut Wing, which is usually considered an upgrade.

Even though it was barely noon when we checked in, my room was ready, so we changed and ate lunch on-site before going to the beach.

Resort Fee

Baker’s Cay Resort charges a resort fee of $49 plus tax per night. This includes the following:

Every day, we rented paddleboards and kayaks and used the fishing poles with bait to catch fish right on the resort’s dock.

The resort fee covered several fun activities, including a daily sunset toast with complimentary adult Champagne and a classic Shirley Temple drink for children from a beachfront food cart.

Because I booked using points, I did not have to pay the resort fee. You will be charged a resort fee if you book using Points & Money or pay cash for your stay.

Room

The rooms are a good size and have a fresh, modern, simple design. Each room also has a sitting area and a private balcony.

Our room, 146, was on the first floor in the Coconut Wing. From both the room and the patio, we had direct beachfront views.

The waterfront view rooms have the best view of all the room types because they look directly onto Coconut Beach, the resort’s main beach. However, you give up privacy because people on the beach can see you from your balcony, so you’ll want to plan carefully.

A floor-to-ceiling mirror caught my eye as soon as I entered the room.

The only closet in the room was further down. It had towels, an iron, an ironing board, and a safe for our belongings.

The 2 queen beds were comfortable, and the blackout shades were great for keeping the sun out in the morning.

When we checked in, we asked for a pack-and-play for my toddler daughter. Later that night, someone set it up next to our 2 queen beds against the mirror.

A coffee machine with creamers and sugar was above the tall drawers beside the mirror.

These drawers were great for adding more storage space to the room.

In front of the bed was a long desk with a flat-screen TV. Next to the desk was a lamp and a faux plant.

Below the desk was an empty minifridge for keeping drinks cool.

Plenty of electrical outlets were on the desk, the nightstand, and against the wall for charging devices.

We hung our wet clothes and hats on a rack, which also worked for hanging hats.

Bathroom

The bathroom had 1 sink, adequate counter space, a toilet, and a shower.

The waterfall shower, complete with black-and-white patterned tiles, was visually appealing, but the water pressure left much to be desired.

The temperature controls were also tricky to use and not easily discernible during our stay. Refillable bamboo shampoo, conditioner, and body wash completed the shower toiletries.

Amenities

Beaches

Baker’s Cay boasts lovely beaches, which is impressive considering that the Florida Keys are not typically renowned for their sandy shores. The tranquil waters were ideal for swimming and relaxing.

Coconut Beach had plenty of chaise lounge chairs and a tiki bar for ordering drinks and meals.

Furthermore, the beach waitstaff checked on guests regularly, making ordering food and drinks from lounge chairs possible.

Hammock Beach is opposite Coconut Beach and in front of the Hammock Wing rooms.

More secluded beaches with lounge chairs and hammocks were hidden among mangroves and forests.

This beach was perfect for quiet time away from the crowds.

Non-Motorized Water Activities

There were plenty of water sports at Baker’s Cay Resort.

In addition to the free paddleboards and kayaks, several floating mats were on the water.

The resort fee also covered snorkeling equipment rentals so we could search beneath the surface for aquatic life. One of my girls discovered a starfish, and little fish and crabs were frequently seen frolicking around the resort’s shores.

The resort offered paid rentals of clear-bottom kayaks, water bicycles, and Jet Skis.

Pools

Bakers Cay features 2 pools with waterfalls. One of the pools is exclusively for adults, while the other is for families.

On the second day of our trip, we went to the family pool, where a staff member hosted interactive games for kids and parents.

There was also a Jacuzzi and poolside bar for refreshments and bites.

We participated in pool games such as swimming competitions and a football keep-away game for parents and children, which was entertaining.

Fitness Center

The 24/7 fitness center was on the third floor of the main building, just up the elevator or stairs from the check-in desk and lobby. I visited on a Saturday night, and the space was empty.

It featured all the standard equipment you would expect from a complete hotel gym, including cardio machines, free weights, and extra amenities like water and towels to dry off.

Towel Tracker

Baker’s Cay Resort featured towel trackers at the beach entrance and in the pools, which I thought was a pretty cool feature. We scanned our wristband keycard on the towel tracker’s door for 5 seconds, and the door opened for us to grab towels.

We returned our used towels to the same spot and could retrieve new ones anytime. I’d never seen anything like this at any other resort, and by the conclusion of my stay, I wondered why such an intelligent concept hadn’t been applied at other resorts.

Fishing

Given my busy schedule with 3 kids, finding time for fishing, one of my favorite hobbies, is a rare treat.

Free fishing was offered daily from 8 to 10 a.m. off the resort’s huge pier. This was once an all-day benefit but is now limited to 2 hours in the morning. Fishing after 10 a.m. costs $20.

We caught several fish and spotted dolphins and nurse sharks while fishing each morning.

All we had to do was head down in the morning, grab a rod and bucket of shrimp prepared by the fishing attendant, and catch some fish.

Bicycles

Except for Key West, the Florida Keys are not conducive to walking. Biking, on the other hand, is a different story. The resort offered free bicycle rentals to discover the surrounding area.

Fun Activities

Most Baker’s Cay Resort guests rarely venture beyond the property, except perhaps for dinner, as numerous enjoyable activities are available daily. 

A wide variety of family-friendly weekly activities included:

• Local live music on Friday and Saturday nights
• Friday foam parties
• Thursday s’mores and stars
• Outdoor movie night with popcorn and candy

One night, my wife and daughters attended a silent disco and could not stop talking about how much fun they had.

The resort did an excellent job of providing activities for all ages.

Yard Games

At the resort’s Hammock Wing was a spacious lawn with artificial turf, perfect for children to run around and for guests to enjoy playing with their remote-controlled cars.

Adjacent to the lawn was a sand volleyball court, perfect for a friendly game with friends.

There was also a ping-pong table and ample seating for relaxation.

Sunset Champagne Toast

Baker’s Cay Resort sunsets were a treat. The resort provided complimentary Champagne for adults to toast the sunset hour at 7 p.m.

Kids got Shirley Temples and watched the sunset from the pier or beach loungers.

Pet Friendly

I may have seen more dog strollers than child strollers during my Baker’s Cay Resort weekend. The resort welcomes dogs weighing no more than 100 pounds in its rooms and grounds.

A non-refundable pet fee of $75 per night applies to up to 2 dogs per room. Stays over 5 nights are charged a $150 deep cleaning fee every fifth night.

Wi-Fi

We could easily connect to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, even on the beach. The speeds were well within reasonable bounds. I streamed a football game from my phone at the beach since I didn’t want to miss it, and everything went flawlessly.

Parking

Baker’s Cay Resort offered self-parking or valet parking for $10 and $15, respectively, free for Hilton Diamond members. The resort also offered EV chargers.

Because of the resort’s low-rise, wide layout, self-parking in front of or near my room was more convenient than valet parking. So, even as a Diamond, I decided to self-park after the first night because getting to my car this way was easier than waiting for valet.

Food and Beverage

Calusa

Calusa is on the third floor and offers stunning views of the mangroves, water, and sunsets.

The restaurant served breakfast and dinner and had a more upscale dining experience than the resort’s other restaurant.

We ate breakfast at Calusa both mornings and enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Guests can select items from an à la carte menu and dine indoors or outdoors. Because of the unbearable humidity outside, we sat indoors.

At Baker’s Cay Resort, Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members enjoy a daily food and beverage credit for up to 2 registered guests per room. Typically, a $15 per person per day credit applies to full-service and lifestyle brands such as the Curio Collection, to which Baker’s Cay belongs. However, due to the resort’s sought-after location, we received a $18 per person credit, resulting in a total of $36 daily food and beverage credit, which was reflected on our bill at checkout.

We also had dinner at Calusa, and I enjoyed a delicious grilled mahi with a flavorful guava glaze. It was served alongside Caribbean peas and rice and topped with a delightful mango-vanilla sauce.

My wife ordered a pan-seared yellowtail snapper with coconut rice, French beans, coconut curry sauce, and mango salsa.

My daughters enjoyed the chicken tenders and shrimp with rice. Overall, the food was delicious, although a bit on the expensive side.

Dry Rocks

Dry Rocks is conveniently situated steps away from the beach, making it an ideal spot for lunch or dinner.

Thanks to its prime location, every seat in the house offers a great view.

Diners can relax on swing chairs or spacious couches while savoring a delicious meal and refreshing drink while enjoying the beautiful beach scenery.

This is the more laid-back choice among the 2 main restaurants at Baker’s Cay Resort. It offers many dishes, including a fresh mahi sandwich, buffalo wings, lobster quesadillas, and housemade salads.

I thoroughly enjoyed my mahi sandwich with housemade coleslaw.

In contrast to the Tiki Bar, Dry Rocks offers a nice selection of local craft beers and a full bar where guests can order drinks.

While the food was good, the service was just okay. You might have to wait a while for your lunch at Dry Rocks because they also prepare food for resort guests lounging on the beach.

More than 2 hours had passed when I asked our server how much longer our food would take to arrive. I had a starving baby and hungry tweens waiting for their meal for hours. She claimed there were still 2 orders ahead of ours. When the manager on duty learned about our wait, she swiftly brought the food to our table.

Still, if you’re hungry and want to order lunch at Dry Rocks, do it before the lunch rush, or you might have to wait hours for your food.

Tiki Bar

You can order drinks or food from Tiki Bar at the beach. The food comes from Dry Rocks.

The wait for our drinks was a bit lengthy each time we walked up, but it was understandable, considering only 1 bartender was attending to a handful of guests at once.

The Tiki Bar menu features a variety of expertly crafted frozen beverages, hand-crafted cocktails, and a curated selection of bottled beers.

Coffee Truck

The lobby featured a charming little blue coffee truck that was quite the hotspot for morning lattes and cappuccinos.

I visited this place every morning to get my caffeine fix.

A few feet away was a convenient counter stocked with coffee condiments and napkins.

Service

Aside from the lengthy wait for our lunch at Dry Rocks, the service was satisfactory overall. I wouldn’t call it extremely warm or welcoming, but resort employees were always courteous and helpful in my dozen or so interactions. We all agreed that we would likely return to Baker’s Cay Resort the next time we visit the Florida Keys.

Final Thoughts

Our time at Baker’s Cay Resort was almost perfect. We liked how the resort can be anything you want it to be, whether you’re seeking a family holiday or a romantic retreat. It has the charm and amenities to meet both needs.

While nightly rates can be pricey most of the year, Hilton Honors points can help you save on a stay at Baker’s Cay Resort and apply those savings to enjoy delicious meals and drinks on-site or around the Florida Keys.