Cheeca Lodge and Spa

HOTEL SITE

Jim Carrey

CELEBS SPOTTED: President George Herbert Walker Bush, Chrissie Evert, Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Salma Hayek, Kevin Costner, Jack Nicklaus, Forest Whitaker, Jim Carrey, Brooke Burke, Denise Austin, Pink, Billy Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Campbell, Jane Seymour, Katie Couric, Jason Alexander

Called the “Queen of the Florida Keys,” the Cheeca Lodge & Spa is located in the beautiful Islamorada in the Keys, and you’re likely to spot a number of famous people while staying there. It’s kind of a hideaway for the stars. Everyone from Salma Hayek to Katie Couric to even President George H.W. Bush has stayed at the Cheeca, and with good reason. It’s on a glorious 27-acre estate, full of luxurious views. NOTE: the Cheeca is due to reopen in December, 2009.

Cheeca Lodge Dining Outdoors

With rates starting as low as $250 per night, you’ll find the classic Keys style, mixed with West Indies decor…something the Cheeca calls “barefoot elegance.” There are 212 rooms, suites, and bungalows – you won’t be disappointed.

Beautiful rooms and amazing views at the Cheeca

The new Oceanfront and Island View Suites give you over 840 square feet, gorgeous ocean views, hot tubs, rain showers for two…all very romantic. And the Spa is nothing to sneeze at, either. Lots of different packages for you to choose from.

The Spa at the Cheeca

Casual Keys meets West Indies at the Cheeca Lodge

Amenities include oceanfront pool, a wooden fishing pier, tennis courts, golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, private beach, fitness center, Camp Cheeca (for the kids), biking, Starbucks and Tazo Teas in your room, wifi, and several restaurants to choose from.

Dock at Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Islamorada has amazing restaurants, and the Cheeca Lodge & Spa has some of the best. In fact, Florida Trend magazine calls the Cheeca’s eating spots one of “Florida’s 500 Best Places to Dine.” There’s Atlantic’s Edge, with delicious seafood and steaks, as well as a magnificent hot breakfast buffet. The Lobby Bar serves cocktails, and the Tiki Bar is a beachfront spot with a view of the ocean, as well as drinks and Bahama stone crab claws. Nikai is the newest restaurant, offering fresh sushi and Asian cuisine.

Hot Tub at the Cheeca

Salma Hayek

It’s no wonder the likes of Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Lopez love the Cheeca. They get treated like the stars they are, and so can you. Think I’ll make it a point to head down to the Keys. I mean, I live in Florida…how have I never been there? Papa Hemingway awaits.

Photo Sources: Hotel Photos taken from Cheeca Lodge web site, Celebrity photos

If you know of a place that makes a good fit for Celebrity Hotel of the Week, please let me know. I can be reached at southernyank01@gmail.com

All kinds of interesting things happen in hotels, and often celebrities are involved.

Kiefer Sutherland

The holidays can bring out the stress monster within, especially when you’re far from home. Back in 2006, Kiefer Sutherland dealt with seasonal anxiety by having a few drinks with some friends at the Strand Palace Hotel in London. Then he attacked the Christmas tree in the lobby.

I’m sure at the time, to Kiefer, it seemed like an eminently reasonable thing to do. He even made arrangements to pay for the damages before he took the tree down with a flying tackle, which was caught on video for him “enjoy” watching for the rest of his life.

The staff at the Strand, who clearly have outstanding customer service training, are reported to have handled it calmly and professionally, prompting Sutherland to say, “This f—ing hotel rocks!”

Merry Christmas!

photo: ballookey on flickr