Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / Islamorada / Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Islamorada, Florida, United States · Independent · Core Luxury
Clara May Downey opened the Islamorada Olney Inn on this Matecumbe shore in 1946, and President Harry Truman was the first guest. Cynthia Twitchell, an A&P heir nicknamed Chee, rebuilt it with husband Carl as Cheeca Lodge, with Jack Nicklaus golf, a 525-foot fishing pier, and oceanfront villas, and George H.W. Bush later co-founded a bonefish tournament here that ran for a decade. Cheeca Lodge & Spa now holds 243 rooms, and AAA rates it Four Diamond for 2025 and 2026.
- 243 rooms
- Opened 1946
- Neighborhood: Matecumbe
- Rooms from 361 sq ft (34 m²)
About Cheeca Lodge & Spa
- Cynthia Twitchell, an A&P heir nicknamed Chee, named the rebuilt resort Cheeca after Chee and Carl.
- George H.W. Bush co-founded a bonefish tournament here that ran from 1994 for about ten years.
- Entry-level rooms start at 361 sq ft (34 m²).
The setting
5 miles from Windley Fossil Reef Geological State Park.
Restaurants and bars
- Atlantic's Edge Restaurant — Restaurant · Seafood
- Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant · Sushi & Japanese
- Mia Cucina — Restaurant · Italian
- 25 South — Restaurant · Tiki / island inspired
- Morada Bay Florida Keys — Restaurant
Experiences
- Snorkeling on North America's sole living coral barrier reef — Guests are welcome to snorkel in North America's sole living coral barrier reef.
- Scuba excursions — Scuba excursions offered from the oceanfront location.
- Kayaking adventure along the coast — Kayaking adventure along the picturesque coast.
- Fishing charters and tournaments — Fishing charters and tournaments offered as a resort activity.
- Sport fishing — Easy access to sport fishing during a stay at Cheeca Lodge, per The Best Weekend Getaways from Miami feature.
- Group fishing excursions and tournaments — Group fishing excursions and tournaments offered for group travel.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Kids' club
- Tennis
- Water sports
- Golf course
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- AAA Four Diamond (2026)
Open Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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