This post is in partnership with Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club and The Florida Keys and Key West who hosted our stay. All opinions are my own. You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.
We spent three nights in the Upper Keys and three nights in Key West on our Florida Keys vacation, and while we were in Marathon (Upper Keys), we stayed at the Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club.
We had the BEST stay here. This resort is family-friendly, has comfortable accommodations, plenty of gorgeous views of the water, and lots of opportunity for family fun!
Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club
A Florida Keys vacation in August requires a resort with a pool! Fortunately the Faro Blanco has two pools, and we hopped in both of them during our stay.
One of the pools is right out the back door of the Hyatt Place, which is the lodging portion of the resort. So you can just come right out back and hop in for a dip. My kids were in this pool within minutes of us arriving!
One thing you’ll notice in the Florida Keys are lots of iguanas. We were not aware this was a ‘thing’ in The Keys and we love animals and wildlife, so it was a pretty fun discovery. Apparently they are not native, but people release their unwanted pets and they multiply like crazy.
This bright green guy was hanging out on the pool deck while we were swimming. If you’re not a fan of reptiles, don’t worry. They are not at all aggressive and keep their distance. They’ll run away if you approach, unless you offer them fruits and veggies.
Best Florida Keys Resorts
While the kids were enjoying cooling off in the pool, my husband and I, after an early morning flight, just wanted to relax.
There is tons of seating available all the way around this pool, and the pool is pretty shallow. Of course check that it’s shallow enough for your children and their swimming ability (there is no lifeguard on duty), but with older kids like mine, we were able to sit near the pool and keep an eye on them while we just chilled out. Ah, THIS is the life!
The second pool on the property is behind the resort’s restaurant, The Lighthouse Grill. If you walk through this front door, you can be seated and enjoy your food from inside. We wanted to sit outside and munch while the kids swam, so we walked around the back and ordered at the bar.
This is the side yard (restaurant is on the left of this photo) and you can see there’s a game of cornhole set up on the grass. On another part of the property there’s a giant chess board. Lots of fun stuff to do with the kids!
This is the view from the back of the restaurant. You can see the second pool, lots of seating on the pool deck, and the restaurant looks out over the pool.
There’s a bar on the left side where you can order drinks and appetizers, or you can be seated in the outdoor or indoor seating area.
We ordered some munchies to share and then cooled off in the pool. Again, this pool is pretty shallow and very family-friendly.
My husband and I were able to hang out and have a drink together while they kids were swimming. And then we couldn’t stand the Florida heat anymore and we jumped in, too!
Best Restaurants in Marathon FL
The Lighthouse Grill offers an amazing menu. We had been outside in the heat that morning so no one was starving, and we just wanted some appetizers. My son and I both ordered a fruit bowl and it was fresh and delicious, perfect on a hot day.
I wish I could remember the names of these two appetizers we ordered and I don’t see their menu online to check. But the lighter ‘balls’ in the back were my daughter’s pick, and they were a kind of Cuban rice ball. Oh, they were SO good!
The dish in the front of the photo is fried conch which you’ll see on a lot of Florida Keys menus! It was so good. We absolutely loved everything we ordered from the Lighthouse Grill, and it worked out so well to order some appetizers and share them mid-day by the pool.
My son finished off every last blueberry in his fruit bowl!
Just beyond this second pool is the marina with a beautiful view of the water.
You’ll also notice the iconic Faro Blanco Lighthouse. It’s a landmark at the resort, and makes for some really great photo opps.
Brides, if you’re planning a wedding and looking for the best Florida Keys wedding resorts, Faro Blanco does weddings, too! Talk about some fantastic wedding day photos. Wow!
Hotels With Boat Docks in Florida Keys
If you’ve got a boat, the Faro Blanco is the place for you! There are 74 slips here, a fueling station, and easy access to the 7-mile bridge. We enjoyed walking on the dock and looking at the water, the iconic Faro Blanco lighthouse, and all of the boats.
Obviously we didn’t travel here by boat from Pennsylvania, but if you are lucky enough to have your own boat and want to learn more about the marina, please read details on the website.
Marathon Florida Resorts
The Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club includes a Hyatt Place with 125 rooms and suites. We’ve stayed at a couple of different Hyatt Place hotels on our travels and I always love these. They are comfortable, clean, and have some great amenities
There was a comfortable separate sitting area in our room, which is always nice when you have a family in a hotel room for a few days. The pool towels were left for us neatly on the ottoman. Free WiFi is included, and even more importantly, free breakfast!
There’s a Starbucks cafe in the lobby area if you want to grab something yummy (they have some delicious sweet treats in addition to your favorite coffees). And at breakfast time, the hot breakfast bar is open to all guests. When you’re traveling with kids this is such a huge perk.
Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club: Best Florida Keys Resorts
Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club is the perfect resort in Marathon for your family vacation. Check out their website to learn more about booking your stay, and be sure to follow on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The Florida Keys and Key West are the perfect place for a family vacation. Visit their website, and check out their social profiles for tons of ideas to help plan your adventure: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
How to Plan a Florida Keys Family Vacation:
Where to Stay in The Florida Keys
Best Places to Eat in The Florida Keys
- Marker 88 Restaurant in Islamorada
- Angler & Ale Restaurant, Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key
- Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Islamorada
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Turtle Kraals Restaurant in Key West
- First Flight Restaurant & Brewery: USA’s Southernmost Microbrewery
Things to With Kids in The Florida Keys
- The Turtle Hospital, Marathon Key
- Dolphin Research Center, Marathon Key
- Robbie’s of Islamorada: The Hungry Tarpon + Feed the Tarpon
- Aquarium Encounters in Marathon FL: Coral Reef Encounter
- Bahia Honda State Park – Best Florida Keys Beaches
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory
- The Cats of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida
K. Humphrey says
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, and most importantly–we are thrilled you and your family enjoyed your accommodations!
We look forward to assisting you again! It certainly brightens our days to receive such wonderful compliments! Again, thank you for taking the time to express your vacation news to us!
Lindsay Frank says
You are most welcome, and thank you for having us! We enjoyed the Faro Blanco so much. Such friendly staff, comfortable accommodations, and oh those pools! We’re thrilled to be able to share our experience!