Dove Creek Lodge

nowhere else to stay...

..and what I meant by the title, is that we literally couldn't find anywhere else to stay. We tend to aim for the "every one is unique, bungalow on the beach" type of place when we're in the Keys. But this trip was a bit harder than usual finding anything with 4 night availability. We came to the conclusion that it must've been a spillover from the basketball championship game being played in Miami.
Anyway, we were only in Key Largo to scuba dive. Dove Creek Lodge is new, so the rooms are nice. Gotta say YAY to the non-fetid room. We had an upper floor one bedroom suite. I believe you can also choose from a lower floor standard room, and an upper floor 2 bedroom suite.
They claim to be oceanside, and even though they (technically) are, they sit in a marina. So the water is fairly still standing and murky, as it is on the bayside. They have wild tarpon to feed (at the restaurant next door), but they're not quite as big as the tarpon you can feed just down the road at Robbie's.
Their waterfront restaurant next door (just a short dock walk away) we found to be pretty expensive. Mind you, we've never cared paying extra for good food, and their food IS really good, but the portions could be better. We found that by walking through the restaurant, to the bar that sits a bit further out into the marina, we were able to get fabulous food for a fraction of the price. A great time to visit this extremely Keys-like bar is at the tail end of your evening. With a lightning storm boldy yet humbly peering over the horizon at you. A perfect breeze. Bright constellations. And appropriately placed tiki torches that illuminate faint, satisfied smiles in between perfect conversation.

Unique Quality: Because it's new, it's very clean. It's also quiet.. if I remember correctly, kids under 16? aren't there. Or should I say, politely not welcome.
Now the biggest bummer of it all for us.....
when we go to the Keys, we like feeling right on the water. And even though this place is, its hard to feel like it. I don't believe the standard rooms have their own patios. So you have to get a 1 or 2 bedroom suite to enjoy a lanai. But the lanais are, well.....placed in the hallway. Sure it's outdoors. But who wants to enjoy their lanai, dressed in their....eh hem... whatever they wanna be dressed in....as customers and patrons walk by regularly. Far from jaw dropping, fall (back) asleep in your pajamas relaxing.
The staff? ubiquitous. friendly.
oh......I forgot to mention that this lodge caters to fishermen (but they do have other activities). Maybe a great place to stay if that's what you're there for.
Dove Creek Lodge website dove creek lodge

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Dove Creek Lodge Photo: view from room at dove creek lodge

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