Holiday Isle is iconic in the Florida Keys. It's been around for decades and many grew up (or threw up) on the wooden dance floor of its world famous Tiki Bar while drinking the made-famous-here- pink-frozen-concoction known far and wide as the Rum Rummer.
The hotel on property was run down even back in the day so recent years really showed its age. To the rescue? The Postcard Inn.
If its name sounds familiar, Postcard Inn's first location is on St. Pete Beach on Florida's west coast. Now, they have a sister resort in Islamorada since they bought Holiday Isle and spent over $13 million on renovations. They wanted to keep the iconic name, of course, and that makes perfect sense; the new name is The Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina at Holiday Isle. A mouthful indeed, so it's aptly abbreviated, PCI.
The famous Tiki Bar is still there, still serving up Rum Runners. And people still dance the night away on the wooden dance floor. But for the most part, the rest of the sprawling property has grown up. Gone are the delapidated rooms and in their place are comfortable, clean updated accommodatoins with a distinct Americana-vacation feel. Quotes of the ocean are hand-stenciled on the walls, beautiful Italian floor tiles resemble wooden planks and Wi-Fi, a mini fridge and flat screen TVs add to the appeal. The balconies still overlook the sparkling Atlantic and if you can glance out early in the morning, you will be rewarded with a most spectacular, colorful sunrise.
For dining options, they threw a Hail Mary and landed Don Shula and the nation's first Shula Burger. The Coach himself was there to christen its white-walled halls, and the menu is pure perfection, liken to his '72 season. You'll find burgers that start at a mere $6.99 and their fish sandwich is a winner, too. Sides include cole slaw, sweet potato tater tots, fries and other tasty bowls of generosity. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Save room for dessert because the cupcakes are pure heaven on a plate with a whipped dollop of sweet frosting. Oh my.
In addition to excellent casual dining, the resort offers daily dive and snorkel trips; charter boat rentals for backcountry and offshore fishing; boat rentals; onsite shops for beachwear and dive gear; and lots more. For those who may remember the row of shops called "Bimini Row" that was on the ocean side of Holiday Isle, well, they're gone. But in their place are comfortable adirondack chairs and fire pits beneath new pergolas. Great views, good times to be had there.
Room rates are running at $113 a night - a 40% savings so act fast and book your escape now. Remember to pack a swim suit as the pool is now heated. And bring comfortable shoes for walking between the Wreck Bar, Jaws Raw Bar, Shula's, The Cantina and the multiple-leveled tiki condo known as Rum Runner's.
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