Island Bay Resort

Fabulous snorkeling. Quiet property with only adults allowed. Great getaway.

I recently wrote a Google review about our stay at IBR. I began by highlighting all of the many positive aspects of this 2 star resort. First and foremost, it’s gorgeous! It’s like being on a tropical island paradise. The grounds are meticulously kept. There are only 10 cottages and each sleeps 2, which means a maximum of only 20 guests at a time. It was off season when we were there which meant only a few cottages were occupied. The cottages as well as the property itself are small, however the space for both are utilized brilliantly. We stayed in the Key West cottage which is closest to the beach. I highly recommend booking this particular cottage if you go. Many of the cottages are efficiency units. Outside amenities include games, paddle boats, kayaks, snorkeling gear, plenty of beach lounges, tiki huts, a dock, ice machine, coin operated laundry, outside shower, Weber pot bellied charcoal grills (more on that later), porches at each unit, and of course beautiful sunsets. Our unit included a microwave, small refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, ceiling fan, hair dryer, television (which we never even turned on), and plenty of pots, pans, dishes, and utensils. Throughout our 10 night stay we frequently told management what a wonderful time we were having, how beautiful the resort was, and we even mentioned several times about coming back. We did indeed have a great trip, the resort is indeed beautiful, but after we got home we reflected on a few things and realized we wouldn’t be going back and I mentioned that at the end of my Google review. In the second half of my review I also discussed a couple of aspects of our stay that were either a little disappointing or I thought you as a review reader and potential future guest should be aware of. First off, we had an extremely negative first encounter with the property manager. Without replaying the entire encounter it basically came down to her being far from welcoming of new guests who were about to spend the next 10 days there. It was an awkward experience that made my wife and I question if we had made the right choice to come to IBR. Their web site says there are Weber grills available for guests. They are Weber grills, but they are pot bellied charcoal grills outside each unit which you must provide your own charcoal and lighter fluid for. I was a little surprised at first, but then I thought “OK, I can work with this.” Then I lifted the cover. It was disgusting. It looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in over a year. It was entirely unusable. When I mentioned this to management I was told they would switch it for another one. I declined because if they didn’t clean the one outside my unit before I arrived I’m sure all of the others were equally bad. We were forced to do all of our cooking inside. Another concern I brought up was their policy of only doling out one beach towel per guest at a time. You cannot get a second towel or even a clean towel until you turned one in. Florida is hot in July. The lounge chairs are extremely hot in the afternoon sitting out in the scorching sun. They are actually too hot to lay on without a towel over it. One towel does not do the trick. We made it work though. Speaking of the beach, I also mentioned that although it is advertised as a swimable beach, there is a lot of life in those waters, including the chance of a crocodile which management admitted to. The other aspect I discussed in my first review is how IBR is an adults only resort. A child about 12 years old was there for a couple of nights. I mentioned that in my review not because it necessarily bothered us, but I felt again that you, the reader of reviews and potential future guest should know that this could happen. It’s not meant as a criticism, but simply providing information for others about our experiences, which is the point of writing reviews. In my original review I gave 4 out of 5 stars because although we had a fabulous trip, there were a couple of concerns we had that I felt should be considered as areas of potential improvement by management. To only discuss the positives and completely omit problems or concerns is not helpful to the resort management or you, the review reader. I am now only giving 3 out of 5 stars because of the way the resort management has handled my review. They have been defensive, argumentative, stubborn, and highly inaccurate in follow up texts and emails to me regarding my review. Few of us can say we are flawless at our job and always deserve 5 out of 5 stars at everything we do. Managing a resort is hard work, and maybe because there were so few guests while we were there they dropped the ball a little, but they like the rest of us should be open to constructive feedback and not launch defensive attacks at former guests without even considering it as an opportunity to improve the resort for future guests. I’m being accused by IBR management in three separate written responses of not being forthcoming and of hiding behind my computer. It’s not my job to be running to management throughout my vacation when I should be relaxing, to bring up my concerns. Even when I did, nothing was done. The grill was never cleaned during our entire stay. It is the resort’s job to put there best foot forward every day for every guest and then maturely receive and reflect on any feedback, good or bad, provided by guests. So once again, we will not be returning.

Absolutely beautiful property with lovely staff. Our stay was perfect. We had absolutely no complaints.

Great location, friendly staff. Great Bay access.

Clean, friendly, has its own beach

First time at Island Bay Resort and it won’t be our last! Only ten, individual cottages, all adorable! Our room was closest to the water, so cute and spotless! The grounds were meticulous! Tropical and beautifully lit at night. My husband caught fish off the dock and we enjoyed relaxing on their beach, which was raked daily with chairs and umbrellas provided. They also provide kayaks, paddle boards and snorkel equipment. If you’re looking for a place to stay for your next get-a-way in the Florida Keys, I highly recommend you book here! You won’t regret it!

Love it Love it Loveit!!!! The staff is awesome. Property is clean and quiet Best sunsets from the beach

Clean and quiet! The mosquitos were horrible, but they provided bug spray for us. Convenient location. The manatees came up to the pier to feed.

Very clean and quiet. Super easy check in and out.

This is a true hidden gem in The Keys. It has the Old Florida feel while being one of the cleanest Mom and Pop resorts that I have ever stayed at. It is also kayaks and SUPs for use for free. Has a very nice little beach area on the bay that is raked every morning. I can’t recommend this place enough.