Cheeca Lodge & Spa has been a luxurious oceanfront retreat in the Florida Keys since 1946, offering world-class fishing, exceptional accommodations, and warm hospitality. Considered a premier luxury resort in Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge provides a lush, tropical escape for discerning travelers.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida Keys, boasts a rich history dating back to the early settlers of the area. Known as Conchs, these hardy pioneers chose this very beach to build a life, establishing a Methodist congregation, a schoolhouse, and a cemetery. Today, the preserved Pioneer Cemetery, a designated historical site, stands as a testament to these founding families. Visitors can explore this site and see the grave of Etta Pinder, who died in 1914, marked by the Angel with the Broken Wing statue. This location marks the origins of Islamorada, meaning “Purple Isle” in Spanish.
The 1940s brought modern amenities like electricity and fresh water, paving the way for Mrs. Clara Mae Downey to open the Olney Inn in 1946, a precursor to the Cheeca Lodge we know today. Described as a “tropical estate of a gifted host,” the inn welcomed President Harry Truman as its first guest. He enjoyed his stay, relaxing by the pool and exploring the property’s 22 bungalows.
The Twitchell family took ownership in the 1960s, ushering in an era of glamour and excitement. Cynthia “Chee” Twitchell, an heiress to the A&P grocery chain, and her husband Carl, revitalized the property. They added the main lodge, oceanfront villas, tennis courts, a golf course, and the iconic wooden fishing pier. Chee’s passion for marine life led to the resort’s mascot, “Suzy the Seahorse,” after she raised miniature tarpon and seahorses in the resort’s aquariums.
Carl Navarre, a Coca-Cola magnate and avid outdoorsman, acquired Cheeca Lodge in 1976. He transformed the resort into a haven for sportfishing and golf, attracting Fortune 500 executives and celebrities. Guests could reel in giant bonefish right off the pier, solidifying Islamorada’s reputation as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” This era cemented Cheeca Lodge’s appeal to wealthy adventurers worldwide.
Oceanfront swimming pool and lush landscaping at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the Florida Keys.