
Reefhouse Resort & Marina
Best for families and groups who want marina access, multiple on-site restaurants, and a full-service spa.
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Reefhouse Resort & Marina is a family-friendly waterfront resort in Key Largo with a private beach, on-site marina, three dining venues and a full-service spa. Chesapeake Beach Resort is an established Islamorada beachfront hotel with two outdoor pools and a strong guest rating — read this if you’re choosing between a larger Key Largo resort with more on-site facilities and a smaller, highly rated Islamorada beach property.
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Best for families and groups who want marina access, multiple on-site restaurants, and a full-service spa.

Best for travelers who prefer a smaller beachfront property in Islamorada with strong guest scores and simple, walkable amenities.
When Reefhouse Resort & Marina wins: choose Reefhouse if you want more on-site facilities (a marina with excursions, three dining venues, a full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and a larger room inventory) and family-friendly programming on a larger waterfront property.
When Chesapeake Beach Resort wins: pick Chesapeake Beach Resort if you prefer Islamorada’s beach setting, a compact hotel with two outdoor pools, free continental breakfast, and a high guest-rating that points to a well-liked independent property.
Bottom line: Reefhouse is the better fit for guests who plan to use resort amenities, watersports and spa services; Chesapeake Beach Resort is a solid, simpler beachfront option in Islamorada for travelers who prioritize location and strong guest reviews.
| Category | Reefhouse Resort & Marina | Chesapeake Beach Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Larger, family-friendly waterfront resort with marina, multiple venues, and organized activities | Established, smaller beachfront hotel with straightforward amenities and a high guest score |
| Location | Key Largo, steps from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and local attractions | Islamorada (Matecumbe), close to History of Diving Museum and Windley Key Fossil Reef Park |
| Size (rooms) | 153 accommodations | 60 air-conditioned rooms |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; main guest must be 21 to check in; children 17 and under stay free with an adult | All ages welcome (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Heated-and-cooled outdoor pool(s); listings show 2 pool areas | |
| Beach | Private beach with loungers, umbrellas and towel service (registered guests only) | |
| Restaurants & bars | Three on-site venues: Gus' Grille, Breezer's Tiki Bar, Flipper's Pool Bar (breakfast, lunch, dinner options) | Bar/lounge on site; complimentary continental breakfast served daily; other on-site dining not detailed |
| Spa & wellness | Full-service spa (By the Bay/Opal Spa) with massages, facials, body treatments and set hours | Not published |
| Marina & watersports | On-site marina with diving, snorkeling, fishing charters, parasailing and other excursions | Marina on site; boat tours and fishing/boating activities available nearby |
| Breakfast | Cooked-to-order breakfast available at Gus' Grille (additional charge for cooked breakfast) | Complimentary continental breakfast served daily |
| Guest rating / stars | 4.5-star (per some listings) luxury family resort; widely marketed as higher-end | 3.5-star; guest rating 9.4 |
Reefhouse sits on 17 acres of waterfront in Key Largo, a short drive or walk to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Better if you want quick access to Key Largo’s reef activities and a larger resort campus.
Chesapeake Beach Resort is located in Islamorada (Matecumbe), with easy access to local museums and state parks.
Better if you want to stay in Islamorada and be close to Matecumbe-area sights.
Reefhouse offers 153 accommodations across multiple room and suite types, including 1- and 2-bedroom suites.
Choose Reefhouse for a wider selection of family-friendly room and suite configurations.
Chesapeake Beach Resort has a more limited set of about 60 rooms with several ocean-view and ADA options.
Choose Chesapeake for a smaller property with many ocean-view room options, including ADA and villa-style rooms.
Reefhouse runs three on-site venues covering breakfast through late-night casual dining and cocktails.
Better for guests who value on-site meal variety and waterfront dining options.
Chesapeake Beach Resort provides basic on-site food/drink options plus a daily complimentary continental breakfast.
Better for travelers who want a simpler on-site dining setup with a reliable continental breakfast.
Reefhouse combines a private beach with heated-and-cooled pools and on-site watersports from its marina.
Better if you want both beach access and an active marina program for watersports and charters.
Chesapeake Beach Resort features a private beachfront and two outdoor pools, plus on-site boating options.
Better for guests who want a straightforward beachfront stay with pool access and nearby boating.
Reefhouse has a full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and scheduled live entertainment at its tiki bar.
Better for travelers who want an on-site spa, scheduled entertainment and fitness facilities.
Chesapeake Beach Resort focuses on beach/pool leisure and nearby attractions rather than a published spa program.
Better for guests who prioritize beach and pool relaxation and exploring Islamorada’s local dining and attractions.

Reefhouse — bigger property, kids’ programming, marina activities, multiple dining venues and suites for families.

Chesapeake Beach Resort — compact beachfront hotel with two pools and complimentary continental breakfast.

Reefhouse — published full-service spa and a 24-hour fitness center included with the resort fee.

Chesapeake Beach Resort — high guest rating (9.4) and simpler, well-reviewed beachfront accommodations.
Reefhouse is geared toward families with kids’ programming, multiple dining options, suite configurations and marina activities; Chesapeake is family-friendly too but is a smaller beachfront hotel.
Yes — both Reefhouse and Chesapeake Beach Resort list private beach access with loungers and towels for registered guests.
Reefhouse publishes a full-service spa (Opal Spa / By the Bay Spa) with scheduled hours and recommended advance bookings; Chesapeake’s listing does not publish an on-site spa.
Chesapeake Beach Resort includes a complimentary continental breakfast; Reefhouse offers cooked-to-order breakfast at Gus' Grille for an additional charge (the resort fee covers other amenities but not cooked breakfast).
Explore how Reefhouse Resort & Marina stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·