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The Perfect Getaway: A long weekend at Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton

Discover one of the 30 inhabited Florida Key islands with a getaway to Key Largo and enjoy clear waters, waterfront restaurants and tiki-tinged sun-soaked vibes.

By Shayla Martin | September 18, 2024

Shayla Martin

Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.

Headshot of author and content creator Shayla Martin

When it comes to picking a destination for a long-weekend getaway, Key Largo has it all: underwater dive parks, chic boutiques and world-class restaurants, with Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton in the middle of it all. A beacon of laid-back fun on the 33-mile-long (53-kilometer long) island, the resort is one of the only in the Keys with direct beach access. Here are our suggestions for spending your next long weekend enjoying all the stunning resort and location have to offer.

Thursday

Morning

Welcome to Florida

Arrive in Key Largo and take a deep breath. You’re on island time now. Check into Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton and take in the view of the lush mangroves and palm trees surrounding the sparkling Florida Bay. Admire the pineapple-themed art across the resort — a nod to the grounds’ former life as a pineapple plantation. Once you’re settled in, savor classic breakfast dishes like French toast or eggs Benedict at Calusa, the on-site Creole-Caribbean restaurant.

Afternoon

Beach time!

Once fueled for the day, it’s time to enjoy one of the resort’s main attractions: the beach! A sandy shoreline beckons where you’re free to just lounge and take in the views or try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling or peeking at life under the water from a clear kayak. For something more heart-pumping, try aqua cycling on a floating tricycle with giant wheels or feel the wind in your hair on a parasailing or Jet Ski adventure.

Evening

Dine in style.

Thursday nights bring culinary delights in the form of delicious pairings with one of the resort’s many specialty dinners. Head to the beachside Mexican restaurant Dry Rocks to savor a tasty rack of slow-roasted St. Louis baby back ribs topped with homemade chipotle-lime barbecue sauce and perfectly paired with a pineapple mezcal margarita. For dessert, pop by Coconut Beach for the weekly s’mores roasting, followed by stargazing under a glittering sky.

Friday

Morning

Explore the resort.

There’s nothing quite like the early morning light in Key Largo as the island and all its wildlife slowly start to wake. Take advantage of the quiet hours by renting a bike at the front desk or enjoying a tranquil walk exploring the resort’s 15 acres (six hectares) along winding, forest-shaded paths. Afterward, rehydrate with a Pure Green cold-pressed juice made from apples, lemon, kale and more, before joining the resort's celebrated foam party.

Afternoon

Head underwater.

Your concierge can provide you with tips for spending a perfect afternoon at nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the United States and home to the famous Christ of the Abyss statue, submerged 25 feet (7.6 meters) below the surface. Scuba divers and snorkelers will find all the necessary equipment at the park, but you can also rent canoes or kayaks to paddle through the mangrove swamps or visit the tropical fish in the 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.

Evening

Savor curated cuisine.

Depending on your mood, there’s plenty of options for Friday night dinner at your resort. Craving a curated dining experience with surf and turf and stunning sunset views? Make your way back to Calusa for prime rib and savory steamed lobster. Prefer dining in the comfort of your room? Order room service and indulge in all of your favorites on your private open-air balcony before drifting off to sleep.

Saturday

Morning

Wake up and work out.

Grab a complimentary reusable water bottle at any of the resort’s restaurants and fill it to the brim because it’s time to break a sweat. For the fitness fanatics, join the Cayfit Bootcamp at 8 a.m., or try something that mixes playtime with a workout by joining the weekly dodgeball game on the expansive lawn at Ben’s Garden. If you’d rather take things at your own pace, the on-site fitness center is also available for your convenience.

Afternoon

Help keep the beach pristine.

This afternoon, take a few moments to give some love back to the beautiful ocean. On the first Saturday of each month, Baker’s Cay hosts a beach and underwater cleanup as part of the resort’s regular conservation efforts. For an afternoon of adventure, have the concierge book the Splash & Swim experience at the Dolphin Plus Marine Mammal Responder center. Great for adults and kids, you can watch the dolphins perform tricks before joining them in the water.

Evening

Enjoy an evening of music.

Catch the stunning sunset at Dry Rocks, where local live music will set the vibe for a relaxing dinner. Savor Latin-inspired seafood dishes like lobster and shrimp nachos, lobster quesadilla or blackened salmon topped with tomato avocado salsa. For dessert, don’t miss the churros with sweet dipping sauces. After dinner, head over to Ben’s Garden for a silent disco, where you’ll dance the night away while wearing headphones blasting your favorite tunes.

Sunday

Morning

Enjoy a leisurely brunch.

Nothing says Sunday Funday quite like the Pink Flamingo brunch at Calusa, with tiny pink flamingos dotting the tables and beverage glasses in celebration of Florida’s unofficial state bird. Let your hair down by joining in on the bottomless glasses of Pink Flamingo sparkling rosé or just as pink peach or strawberry mimosas. For your meal, the Shipwreck omelet with lobster, crab, shrimp, spinach and feta, or the short rib huevos rancheros, are stand out dishes.

Afternoon

Relax and unwind.

A filling yet delicious brunch should be followed by R & R; we don’t make the rules. Relax in hammock, poolside or with your toes in the sand. Then, extend those relaxing vibes at Ooh La La Wellness Salon with a deep tissue massage that combines the kneading and long strokes of a Swedish massage with deep tension relief or try a HydraFacial that deeply hydrates the skin with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid.

Evening

Take in the views.

On your final night, go all out with a dinner at Calusa that celebrates sustainably sourced Florida Keys seafood and seasonal produce alongside herbs from the resort garden. Start with the chef’s selection of seasonal oysters and a Keys pink shrimp cocktail, followed by guava glazed grilled Florida Mahi Mahi with Caribbean peas and rice, or pan seared Yellowtail snapper with coconut rice and coconut curry sauce. At the end of the evening, toast to the beautiful sunset while overlooking the Bay.

Monday

Morning

Take an eco tour.

Start your day with a stroll along the resort’s self-guided eco tour. You’ll spot various species of mangroves, Buttonwood trees along the coastline, red Gumbo Limbo trees and the arching Banyan trees. While on your walk, you may even spot sone small wildlife like curly-tailed lizards, iguanas that look like mini dinosaurs and Wakanda, the resident cat who is always happy with attention.

Afternoon

Cool off in the pool.

You’ll want to soak up every second of vacation on your last day, so keep it simple by relaxing in the pool and dipping under the waterfall grotto. Sip signature cocktails like piña coladas and frozen daquiris from the Pool Bar, paired with light summer salads and snacks.

Until next time!

Bid farewell!

It’s so hard to say goodbye, but don’t worry, the fabulous weather and sun-drenched beaches of Baker’s Cay will be awaiting your return. The next time a long weekend clears in your schedule, make sure to keep Key Largo at the top of your travel list.

Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton

Our resort offers a tranquil beachside getaway in southern Key Largo. Our facilities include two waterfall pools and beach hammocks. We provide a wide range of water activities including diving, parasailing, catamaran sailing, and deep-sea fishing. Sit back and enjoy the waves on our private beach.