Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key

Halfway along the chain of Florida Keys' islands you’ll find Duck Key. Despite its relative proximity to the glamour of Miami and the bohemia of Key West, the resort island maintains an intimate atmosphere with sheltered fire pits and the only living coral reef in the continental USA. The resort’s central focus is the bright blue of its freshwater lagoon although many look to its waters where you can paddle out to your own tropical island or swim with the resort’s pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

The resort has just reopened after extensive hurricane damage and its renovation it now vaunts new coastal interiors, an elegant new lobby and three excellent new restaurants, including fine-dining Sixty-One Prime, adults-only Oasis Cay with its own Tranquility Pool, bar and grill and Hawks Cay Marketplace for casual, fresh dining.

An extension of the island’s relaxed charm, guestrooms and villas feature classic Caribbean style with bright prints and seashell-white walls, set among swaying palm trees. Watersports take centre stage here as you can snorkel, paddle board, kayak, scuba dive, fish and swim with dolphins. There are also six swimming pools, including an adults only and children’s areas, along with the freshwater centrepiece. Hawks Cay Marina offers boat docking and trips out to exclusive dive sites while the Calm Waters Spa was voted by readers of Travel + Leisure as the Best Hotel Spa for its fantastic range of treatments, Jacuzzis and dry sauna.