Hawks Cay Resort

Currently staying at Hawks Cay. Thought I was staying at a premium resort as I am paying almost 3K for four nights. Staff put us in a 2 bedroom villa and I am staying at the back of a marina boat building.

I would like to preface this with saying that we are a family of 5 who frequent Disney so we are quite familiar with overpaying for things in tourist areas, not to mention the fact we actually live in a tourist area. However, Hawks Cay takes the cake when it comes to being overpriced. Two drinks at the tiki bar were $47, breakfast buffet is $30/person, one lunch for the five of us ran about $175 including tip. We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa that doesn’t look like it’s been updated since the 80’s. Apparently the villas are each privately owned, which we were not made aware of ahead of time, and Hawks Cay obviously does not set any standards for the private owners. And do not be fooled by the pictures you see of Hawks Cay! The lagoon and main pool are not near as large as they’re made to look. They also promote paddle board rentals - what this really consists of is signing up for a 30 minute time slot to paddle around the already small and crowded lagoon. We vacation in the Keys often but I can say this was the first and last time we will ever stay at this resort.

Devastating that the place holds dolphins captive. The dolphins are in a small lagoon “attached to the sea” but really just sharing ocean water. The animals are being helped captive by a fence. After researching, I learned the dolphins are not injured, not being rehabed. Nope! The dolphins are perfectly healthy such that they could be out in the wild rather than being trapped. The captors are a group called Dolphin Connection that is part of the Dolphin Company that holds dolphins captive here and at other tourist locations (traps) like Discovery Cove and Miami Seaquarium. On top of that, the Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy. The dolphins are trapped for no other reason than to be pet by kids and photographed by uneducated families. Hawks Cay pretends that they educate on conservation and the environment …. Why not show the families the dolphins outside in the ocean? Not profitable. That’s why. As someone from Florida, please educate yourself on these tourist spots and go see the wild animals in real nature. It’s so sad and unnecessary. You can go see dolphins in the ocean rather than paying $250 for an unnatural dolphin experience. Your kids don’t know any better, you do. Ps. The dolphin tiny lagoon is attached to the hotel and is right next to the pool with a loud DJ and a reception area where loud music was played all night as there was a wedding. The dolphins have no peace and they instead swim in circles in fear and anxiety. Such smart wild animals being trapped. Sad.

Jacob is the best bartender from tiki grill!!! If you see him say hi!!! Was the best for celebrating 21st bdays!🫶🫶🫶 best weekend

Celebrated my 21st birthday at the tiki grill pool, and Jacob was a fantastic help. kept the good vibes and great drinks flowing. Highly reccomend as a must visit spot in the Florida keys!