Hotel: Cheeca Lodge

Address: Mile Marker 82, Islamorada, Florida Keys 33036

Website: www.cheeca.com

TraveLife Ranking: 4 Stars

Rooms: 203

Room Rates: $150+

Awards: Rated one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel&Leisure magazine

Highlights: An interesting place to hang out at the Cheeca is the Curt Gowdy lounge, named in honor of the legendary sports broadcaster who also regularly visited the resort with his sports fishing buddies - people like the late Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams, who liked Islamorada so much he bought a house here. Dozens of photographs of Gowdy with his fishing partners now adorn the walls of the comfortable lounge that has the picture-window view of the ocean. The lodge’s 9-hole golf course is the only executive course ever designed by Jack Nicklaus. Perhaps the most recognizable feature of the resort is the wooden pier that stretches from Cheeca’s sandy beach 500 feet into the Atlantic.

History: The original owners of the Cheeca Lodge purchased land adjacent to a small cemetery in the early 1900s, which once contained the remains of some early settlers to the Keys. In 1935, the great hurricane of that year devastated the area and washed almost the entire Keys out to sea, including all the skeletons and tombstones in the Cheeca cemetery. The only thing that survived the hurricane's fury was a small stone statue of an angel that still rests in the rebuilt Settler's Cemetery, located right next to the resort's small private beach. So, Cheeca's cemetery may be the only one in the world without bodies, but it does have tombstones - brought from other areas of Florida to preserve the memory of those who once rested here - and they do catch the eye of guests, especially first timers. The lodge has also been a getaway for several American presidents. Harry S. Truman, who loved coming to the Keys to relax between wars, was the first to discover the tranquility offered here. These days, the Cheeca is the place former president George Bush - W's Daddy - likes to hang his hat and fishing pole at least once a year. Bush Sr. is an avid outdoorsman and Cheeca Lodge - where some rooms come complete with fishing rods - is the place many anglers like to come to sport fish. And that includes Bush, who a few years ago had a local fishing tournament - held at Cheeca - named in his honor. The annual tournament lures many of America's top business tycoons who get hooked and eagerly contribute cash to charities of Bush's choice. Bush and his wife Barbara stay in a large villa opposite the 9-hole golf course.

Interior Highlights: This is pure Florida Keys, with relaxed decorations throughout a property that makes you want to kick off your shoes and relax upon arrival. This is a family lodge so there’s not a lot of silk and lace – just good, down home charm.

In The Next Room: Don’t be surprised if you bump into a former U.S. president or a well-known sports figure, who love coming to the Cheeca for sports fishing.

The Rooms: The main lodge offers garden view and ocean view rooms with screened balconies. Villas are standard rooms and suites with garden views (a few with ocean views). Beachfront bungalows have private ocean view balconies, access to the beach via a spiral staircase, and a private patio with lounge chairs. Each is spacious and come decked out with all the comforts of home – and boy, what a home! Accommodation include West Indies-style furniture and 42-inch plasma TVs. Marble bathrooms are stuffed with fancy toiletries and a recent refurbishment has brought the rooms up to today’s hi-tech standards.

Amenities: The property’s Avanyu Spa is quickly becoming a favorite with moms and dads. The massages, facials and body treatments offered here are among the finest in Florida. There’s a business centre located off the main lobby. Just off the main pool area at the Cheeca is a small salt water lagoon, where kids are taught to snorkel and where they can feed the many fish that patrol the small body of water. Fishing lessons are given at the end of the resort's pier and the Cheeca's chef will even cook your catch.

Restaurants: Dining options at Cheeca Lodge include the Atlantic's Edge dining room which serves up freshly caught local seafood; and the Ocean Terrace Grill, an indoor/outdoor dining spot overlooking the pool and ocean. The Curt Gowdy lounge is a great place to have a light snack or enjoy a cool beverage.

Shopping: This being the Florida Keys, there’s not much shopping, except for some local fishing and souvenir stores.

Close By All the natural beauty the Florida Keys offers, most of which can be found in neatly kept state parks adjacent to the hotel.

Tips: This property is Florida’s best-kept secret. Because of its location in the middle of the Keys, it’s a perfect place to base yourself and explore state parks and Key West, an hour’s drive away. The golf course is where a TraveLife staffer recorded her first hole-in-one, which should tell you how easy Nicklaus made this track. Islamorada is a pleasant one-and-a-half-hour drive from Miami International Airport.