It’s such a treat how often we get to visit the Florida Keys, and each time we get to try out different properties for our accommodations. The Grassy Flats Resort on Marathon is a winner if you’re looking for a nice property with enough amenities to be pleasantly comfortable, but not so inclusive that you just stay on property without ever exploring. I think that’s why I really enjoyed our stay there.
I’ve got the scoop on the Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club, details on the rooms and on-property fun, as well as some great suggestions for things to do in the Middle Keys. Marathon is a wonderful spot to be based out of on a Florida Keys vacation, so take a moment and see what we liked about staying at the Grassy Flats Resort.
If you have any additional questions or comments about the Grassy Flats Resort or things to do on Marathon, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
Already know you want to book the Grassy Flats Resort? Do it here!
What Are the Accommodation Options at Grassy Flats Resort?
A lot of visitors to the Florida Keys are coming down for a full week or more. This means that many of the hotels and resorts in the Keys are full condo-style suite hotels. The Grassy Flats Resort on Marathon has both multi-bedroom suites and standard hotel-style rooms. Depending on how many people you have with you, how you like to travel and how much time you’ll be spending at your hotel, the suites are a great option for being based in the Middle Keys.
Grassy Flats Resort reminds me a bit of the nearby Hawks Cay Resort or the Hotel Laureate in Key West. If you need a complete apartment with a kitchen, they’ve got it. Need kid bedrooms and adult rooms? They’ve got you set. Not going to be at the resort too much? No problem, a standard hotel room is also great and just as nice as a suite.
Top Pick: Wreckers House Standard Room
We were at the Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club for three days and the standard room setup was great for us. We were just two people, but with the huge balcony and easy access to the pools and outdoor areas, our family of four would’ve been plenty comfortable here. We used our balcony for exercise, reading, afternoon drinks and watching the sunrise. I loved it.
The biggest bonus of the standard room was the extra large bathroom. With two sinks, a large shower and plenty of space for multiple people to get ready at once, the bathroom made our stay with quick hotel room visits easy. Traveling with friends, you never know how a shared hotel room will work out, and we did great here!
Already know you want to book the Grassy Flats Resort? Do it here!
Check in / Check Out at the Grassy Flats Resort
Grassy Flats Resort on Marathon uses text communication for everything possible. I love it! From the Hotel Trundle in Columbia, South Carolina to the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff, we’ve been having e-communication based stays a lot and I really appreciate it. At Grassy Flats they used text messaging to give us updates on the status of our room before check in, to let us know when it was ready, to communicate with us about activities we had arranged and more.
You do still need to stop by the front office to fully check in and get keys, but it’s a very small property so it’s a pretty mellow check in process. And a perk of checking into Grassy Flats is getting your welcome drink from the Cabana bar, which is a sparkling wine/guava combo and it’s delicious.
One thing Grassy Flats does to help minimize their environmental impact is that they only do housekeeping services if requested. You can make this request upon check in or once you get up to your room.
Grassy Flats Resort Amenities
Being a smaller resort, you won’t find all the super luxe amenities of other resorts, but Grassy Flats offers nearly everything you need for a fully relaxing stay. It doesn’t have the expansive fitness center of Baker’s Cay Resort on Key Largo or the lazy river of Universal’s Cabana Bay, but it’s got one of the most mellow vibes you’ll find in the Keys.
Pools at Grassy Flats on Marathon
There are two large swimming pools at the Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club. The rectangular one by the original building is the family pool, meaning that it’s for all ages. There are plenty of lounge chairs and deck space, and despite being the “family” pool, it still stays pretty quiet.
The other swimming pool at Grassy Flats is the adults only pool. This one is free-form shaped and a bit secluded. Lots of chairs and umbrellas make it ideal for falling asleep in a shady area by the pool. Also, there is a hot tub at the adults only pool, which is awesome if you’ve had a physically exhausting day.
Note: pool / beach towels are in your room when you check in. There isn’t towel service by the pool, so be sure to bring them down from your room.
Water Sports and Beach Access
I always love when a resort encourages guests to be active by providing recreation gear. The Grassy Flats Resort offers complimentary kayaks and stand up paddleboards for guests. You can check them out after signing a waiver (complete it in the lobby or at time of check in) and then just paddle directly out from the beach. This activity is best at HIGH TIDE as this part of the island can be very calm, to a fault, and at low tide you will have to walk across the squishy grassy flat area. If you’re in the Florida Keys in the summer this can be stinky too.
There is also a dock and jetty here at the resort. The dock is more for hanging out and taking photos, but it’s a great spot to watch the water go by and look for wildlife. The jetty area is next to the dock and here you’ll find lounge chairs and an unobstructed view of the ocean.
Fitness Center at Grassy Flats
Ahh, we’ve gotten to the only downside of the Grassy Flats Resort on Marathon. The “fitness center” is an outdoor space you access through the bushes by the family pool. The equipment is old and rusty and the space is NOT meant to be used. I provided this feedback directly to the resort. I don’t know why they have this space and hopefully upon our next visit, it’ll be refreshed or they’ll have an indoor facility.
During our stay, I actually used our large balcony for my workouts so that I could stick to my fitness plan. There was plenty of space and I just used one of our beach towels for a fitness mat. It worked out fine for what I needed.
Dining at Grassy Flats Resort
There are two options for food and drinks at the Grassy Flats Resort. There is Barrel & Bale which is the cabana space by the family pool, and then there is the Palm Deck up on the roof of the center building on property. The cabana doesn’t offer food, but this is where you’ll be able to get your morning coffee and tea, and then starting at 11:00 am they serve drinks through the rest of the day.
The Palm Deck is actually pretty great. We visited several times during our stay at Grassy Flats on Marathon. The drinks are delightful, as was the burrata and the wagyu sliders. And the staff at both bar areas was so kind, so that made each visit a little better too.
I think it’s important to know that if you’re not staying in a full condo unit that has a kitchen, you’ll need to leave property each day to seek out breakfast and lunch, as there isn’t food served throughout the day on property. That’s okay though, because exploring the islands is one of the best things to do when you’re in the Florida Keys!
Bonus: the Cabana area of the bar by the family pool also has table games (chess, checkers…) so if it’s a rainy day and you just want to chill you can enjoy time together under cover watching the storm roll by.
Where is the Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club?
Grassy Flats Resort is on a small island called Grassy Key. It’s a part of Marathon in the Middle Keys. It’s just south of Islamorada and a little over an hour northeast of Key West. Grassy Flats is very close to Curry Hammock State Park and several other great paddling areas. The resort is located directly on the water off the shallow grassy bay of the island, so water access for kayaking and SUP is right there on property.
Transportation To and From Grassy Flats and Key West
Unless you’re staying in Key West, as a rule I would say that you need a car when you’re visiting the Keys. A Florida Keys road trip is one of the best road trips plans in the USA and you’ll be so glad you have a vehicle when you’re in the Keys. If you’re insistent in NOT having a car, that’s fine, but be prepared for expensive Uber rides or long bike journeys each day.
Parking Details at Grassy Flats
Parking at the Grassy Flats Resort is free and easy. There are ample spots, some are even covered. The property is very open so lock your vehicle, but there are very few people traveling on foot or just showing up in the middle of the Keys, so it feels very safe.
Already know you want to book the Grassy Flats Resort? Do it here!
Ten Fun Things to do Near Grassy Flats on Marathon
The Middle Keys are a really fun area to explore. I like them because they’re much more quiet than Key Largo, which is a quick an easy trip from Miami or the Everglades, so it’s busy, or Key West, which is always just hoppin’ and something going on. Marathon is mellow and such a different pace than the rest of the keys. Here are ten fun things to do during your time at Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club, or just when you’re traveling through the Middle Keys.
Be sure to check out our Favorite Wildlife Tours in the Florida Keys!
- Epic Florida Keys kayaking at Curry Hammock State Park (or book a tour!)
- Snorkeling expedition with the Starfish catamaran to Sombrero Reef
- Enjoy a beach day at Sombrero Beach
- Do a fishing charter out of Marathon
- Experience Florida Keys history at Pigeon Key Historic District
- Ride bikes along the Overseas Highway (including the old highway areas)
- Check out the old train bridge from Bahia Honda State Park
- Try some new watersports at Keys Cable Park (and great food at Bongo’s!)
- Look for unique Florida Keys wildlife from the Overseas Heritage Trail at Tom’s Harbor Cut
- Do a day trip down to Key West
Staying at the Grassy Flats Resort is a great way to put a super mellow spin on a Florida Keys vacation. It’s nice and yet also modest. It’s well maintained, but it’s not over the top. I really enjoyed it and would happily book another visit.
If you have any additional questions or comments about the Grassy Flats Resort or things to do on Marathon, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
