Our family has just left Hawks Cay resort after a wonderful week of fun on Duck Key. We gathered from three states in celebration of my husband’s and my 50th wedding anniversary. We had an excellent experience. Our group ranged in age from nearly 2 to just past 74. The eleven of us enjoyed eating, pool time, putt putt, the dolphin experience and the Turkey Trot. Check in was slow and complicated by technical issues and the three combined reservations, but generally the entire staff were all pleasant and engaging. Our different families stayed in different accommodations that suited each situation. Mom and Dad had a Captain’s Suite in the resort. The family with the youngest children had a Harbor View Villa, with a lively water view and an easy walk to the resort, the Pirate Ship splash pool and playground. The family with the older kids chose a larger house in the Sanctuary Villas, perfect for group gatherings and with its own pool for after dinner fun. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our choices.
Our stay was improved by Anthony and James at the Tiki Grill and poolside at the resort. They were always attentive, helpful, pleasant and fun! When we had the fish we caught on an offshore excursion cooked at the Angler & Ale, Treena was able to get everyone in our large group the right drinks, extra sauces and plenty of refills for a special celebration Thanksgiving dinner we will never forget. The manager there (didn’t get her name) thoughtfully brought us a complimentary Key Lime Pie which all the grands shared with us. The manager at the Marketpkace had everything running smoothly the one morning we saw him. EVERY other visit, at any time of day, was crazy with staff standing around doing nothing or huddled at one cash register trying to check out one patron while a long line of perturbed customers fumed or left. The staff atttitude and the unsupervised process definitely made it the weak link in our visit. We used the resort shuttle a few times and appreciated it, but mainly we enjoyed strolling between the various lodgings, along the harbor, through the tropical grounds and by the lagoon. Breakfast at 61-Prime was delicious and pool lunches from the Tiki Grill were good. We were pleasantly surprised at the gift shop selection and prices. It took some calls to understand the rules for housekeeping. In the hotel they always removed our used towels - but only left bath towels unless we caught them to replace hand towels and washcloths and never left a bathmat. Replenishing coffee supplies was a hit or miss thing. Calls to guest services were always responded to promptly. Bellman Wil came quickly and was a big help in packing our car to leave. We all really enjoyed our visit. It was all we could have hoped for to celebrate together.
