I recently visited Hawks Cay resort on Duck Key, part of the Florida Keys. I was there with other top Macaroni Kid publishers for what we call our annual Boondoggle. The definition of boondoggle, according to Urban Dictionary, is a business trip, often to an exotic destination, in which you do more relaxing/fun stuff than work. It totally sums up the Macaroni Kid annual Boondoggle and is one of the many, many reasons I love my job.
Hawks Cay proved to be the perfect spot for a Boondoggle. And, while I would absolutely consider Hawks Cay for a family visit, the intent for this particular visit was a little of what we at Macaroni Kid like to call ‘Take Care Mama Bear’ time.
Hawks Cay invited us Macaroni Moms with a welcome reception to which I was running late for. I had some flight delays and getting to the Keys was taking longer than I hoped. When I stepped off the airplane at Key West airport, I knew I was running late and didn’t want to miss a moment of this special vacation. I ran to the rental car agency booth and arrived a wee bit out of breath. The agent smiled hugely and said “What’s the hurry? You’re on island time now.”
I took a deep breath, smiled, and let all the stress whoosh out when I exhaled. You see, the Keys kind of set you up for that. I don’t know if it is the warm waters, the delightful island breezes, maybe the phenomenal sunrises and sunsets or just that everyone in the Keys seem to truly be on Island Time. You get to the ‘American Caribbean' and you automatically feel more relaxed.
And recreation and relaxation is what Hawks Cay is all about. You can choose to play all day or chill poolside if that’s your vibe. With a tennis program, putting course, sports field, watersports (kiteboarding, anyone?), scuba, SNUBA, fishing charters and on site Dolphin Connection, you’ll never be bored.
Unless you want to be. While I indulged in a little jet skiing and some morning walks along the water, mostly I was looking to relax, let my mind take a vacation and enjoy time with friends. With several pools onsite including the 21 plus (maturity optional) Tranquility Pool, a tropical lagoon, restaurants with delicious food (don’t miss the fish tacos) and the Calm Waters Spa (the Too Much Sun Massage is true bliss on sun-baked skin)—a little R and R was easy to come by.
While I was getting in my Take Care Mama Bear time at Hawks Cay, I did do a little dreaming of bringing the whole family back some day soon. Hawks Cay offers wonderful family suites and villas and their Coral Cay Club for kids and teens offers beach volleyball, bikes, a game room and an awesome kids’ Pirate Ship Pool.
Now that I am back to reality and writing this, I think perhaps I should stop dreaming and start planning a return trip to Hawks Cay. Come mid-winter, being on Island Time will sound pretty darned good.
The author was a guest of Hawks Cay resort for 4 days and 3 nights to facilitate this review.
The author was a guest of Hawks Cay resort for 4 days and 3 nights to facilitate this review.
