*WOW!

I've sat down to write this thank you e-mail a number of times and keep finding myself just saying "WOW"! 

The wonderful crew at the Islander Resort defines what a Florida Keys wedding is all about.  Everyone was not only amazingly helpful & pleasant but went out of their way to make it stress free (including Vern & the crew at the Bluewater Tiki Bar).  The details you promised to handle no only lived up to our expectations but exceeded them. The table dressings & center pieces were as beautiful as the view of the scenery from our Ocean View room!  The food was exceptional & the service was out of this world! Heck, you were even able to get the weather changed from potential thunderstorms to 90 degrees & sunny!

I'm not sure how our Destination Wedding could have been any better! Our guests haven't stopped talking about it being the best wedding they have ever been to! I cannot thank you enough but to say our entire group had an awesome time & we are already working on a group to make the return trip next year!  

I'm saying my prayers that the oil spill in the gulf doesn't cause you many problems,…please, please, please. 

I am recommending you to anyone planning to get married and/or looking for a relaxing vacation! Look for my review on trip advisor & travel guide!

A MILLION THANK YOU's!

Dave Roche

  *After much online research, we chose The Islander as our 'home base' to take our kids (9& 11) on their long-overdue and much-anticipated first visit to the Keys. And it was easily the best choice we made for the entire week!

When we missed out on an awesome Expedia rate and the next available rate was *double* what we'd seen, I called the hotel in a panic. Connie helped me out with a great rate and got our 5-day vacation back on track. Upon arrival, The Islander was everything we'd expected ... and more!

The room was "courtyard view" and about as far back in the resort as you could get, but we could see the ocean from our patio and from the hammock shared between our four connected units. The room itself was comfortable and clean with plenty of storage space for our clothes and suitcases. The full-size fridge was a nice surprise, and the stove/oven/microwave were great to have for reheating left-overs to snack on during the day. The air conditioner was a little noisy, but it worked wonderfully and after a couple of nights we had found a setting that was less distracting. In all, we rested well each night.

Two pools and the water recreation center were plenty to keep us busy on site. The kids loved the aqua bike rental, and enjoyed just snorkeling around the beach area and dock there at the resort. (The guys at the water rec center were awesome with tips for safety AND fun.) Food and drink at the tiki bar were no more expensive than any other casual restaurant in the area, and the jacuzzi was a nice 'getaway' from the busy-ness of the pool sometimes. The grounds were always clean and tidy, and the staff was nothing short of welcoming, friendly and accommodating.

The continental breakfast off the lobby was always pleasant, with hot coffee, tea and cocoa, apple/orange juice, instant oatmeal, five dry cereals, skim and 2% milk, bagels and waffles to toast, butter/jelly/cream cheese, and the requisite fruit and pastries -- all fresh and nice.

Suggestions for evening meals were always winners, with food and atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy -- and of course sunsets that stopped even the chattiest of 9YO girls in her tracks night after night.

Note on evening activities: We were caught off-guard by the mosquitoes the first night out! Loaded up on Off! Deep Woods the morning after we arrived and had no problems the rest of week. Most dining locations had most (if not all!) outdoor seating. Everyone smelled like bug repellent.

The Islander isn't the fanciest place you'll ever stay, and it's oceanside you need to cross the road for 'the big' sunsets, but it was a lovely resort operated by a wonderful family and staff, and we can't wait for the chance to return!

*TO MS. ROBIN SCHLAUDECKER, GENERAL MANAGER:
 
                    I would like to seize this opportunity to thank you and your staff for a wonderful first time stay at the Islander Resort, two weeks ago. 
I've been a resident of Key West for 8 years, and have stayed in many top places throughout the Keys.  Not to mention,I've also owned a bed and breakfast in Puerto Rico with a large property to manage.  I have to commend you and your staff on how professionally it's managed and Maintained.
   
                 My guest and I were pleasantly pleased and surprised with your property.  The quality of the food and service was unmatched anywhere.   Our overall grading: 1) Front desk=A+
                                               2) accommodations=A
                                               3) cleanliness= A
                                               4) amenities=B+
                                               5) property landscape & visual =A+
                                               6) serenity=A+
                                               7) staff personality/attitude=A+(most important)
 
 
We will be back, and highly recommend your resort to all our friends and family.
 
sincerely,
RAFAEL CHARRES & KAREN MARIE GIBBY