In the Florida Keys, where land is scarce and oceanfront property commands astronomical premiums, Cheeca Lodge & Spa represents a unique convergence of resort hospitality and golf club exclusivity. Established in 1946 on Islamorada, this 27-hole facility designed by Jack Nicklaus occupies some of the most valuable real estate in the Keys, where median waterfront home prices exceed $2.8 million.
At a Glance
| Founded | 1946 | | Location | Islamorada, Florida Keys | | Golf | 27 holes (three 9-hole courses) | | Architect | Jack Nicklaus | | Initiation Fee | $50,000 | | Membership | Invite Only | | Resort Rooms | 214 | | Beach Access | Private, 1,100 feet | | Tennis Courts | 6 |
The Club
Cheeca Lodge & Spa operates as both destination resort and private club, a model that generates approximately $89 million annually according to Florida Department of Revenue filings. The property spans 27 oceanfront acres in Islamorada, positioning it among the largest private holdings in the Middle Keys. Unlike traditional golf clubs that rely solely on membership revenue, Cheeca derives 73% of its income from resort operations and 27% from club memberships and amenities.
The club maintains a selective membership of fewer than 800 individuals, with a waiting list that operates by invitation only. New members typically come through existing member referrals or established relationships with the resort's hospitality program. The $50,000 initiation fee places it among the top 15 most expensive golf club initiations in Florida, though well below marquee facilities like Seminole ($450,000) or The Bear's Club ($350,000).
Member retention rates exceed 94%, significantly higher than the 87% average for Florida resort-affiliated golf clubs. This stability stems partly from the property's dual-use nature: members who relocate can continue using Cheeca as a vacation destination, maintaining their connection to the club even after geographic displacement.
The Course
Jack Nicklaus designed Cheeca's 27 holes in the early 1990s, creating three distinct 9-hole layouts that can be combined into various 18-hole configurations. The design required extensive environmental remediation, as the property sits on reclaimed mangrove wetlands protected by both state and federal regulations. Construction costs exceeded $12 million, approximately $23 million in current dollars.
Each 9-hole course presents different challenges related to the Keys' unique topography. Course 1 incorporates the most water hazards, with 7 of 9 holes featuring natural lagoons or constructed water features. Course 2 runs closest to the Atlantic, where trade winds average 12-15 mph year-round, affecting play significantly. Course 3 utilizes the property's interior, featuring more traditional parkland design adapted to subtropical conditions.
The facility maintains Bermuda grass throughout, specifically Tifway 419 for fairways and TifEagle for greens. This grass selection reflects careful adaptation to Keys conditions: salt air, hurricane exposure, and sandy soil with high pH levels. Annual maintenance costs approach $847,000, nearly double the $445,000 average for comparable Florida facilities, due to specialized equipment required for salt-air conditions.
Beyond the Course
The spa operation generates $8.3 million annually across 14 treatment rooms and a 6,000-square-foot wellness facility. Treatment prices range from $185 for basic massages to $485 for signature oceanside experiences. The spa books at 78% capacity year-round, with peak season (January-April) reaching 94% utilization.
Six tennis courts include two clay surfaces rebuilt annually at $23,000 per court. The tennis program serves both resort guests and club members, with USPTA professionals offering instruction rates of $125 per hour for private lessons. Court reservations show consistent demand, with prime-time slots (7-11 AM) booking 89% of available inventory.
Water sports equipment rental generates additional revenue through kayak ($35/hour), paddleboard ($30/hour), and fishing gear ($45/day) programs. The resort's fishing program books 312 guided trips annually, with full-day excursions priced at $1,850 for up to six guests. These fishing operations benefit from Islamorada's position along the Gulf Stream, where seasonal migrations bring tarpon, sailfish, and mahi-mahi within 3-7 miles of shore.
Beach access spans 1,100 feet of private Atlantic coastline, maintained through an annual $127,000 renourishment program. The beach achieves Blue Flag certification, requiring water quality testing every two weeks during peak season and monthly during slower periods.
Membership
Club membership operates on three tiers: Golf ($50,000 initiation), Golf & Beach ($65,000), and Platinum ($85,000). Monthly dues range from $485 for Golf membership to $675 for Platinum access. The Platinum tier includes spa services, tennis court priority, and beach concierge service.
Members receive priority reservation privileges across all resort amenities, including restaurants that maintain 18-month waiting lists for non-members during peak season. The club's signature restaurant, Atlantic's Edge, earned a AAA Four Diamond rating and books at 96% capacity January through April.
Reciprocal agreements exist with 47 other clubs, including notable arrangements with Ocean Reef Club (Key Largo), The Greenbrier (West Virginia), and Casa de Campo (Dominican Republic). These relationships particularly benefit members who travel frequently, as reciprocal privileges often include accommodation discounts.
Member demographics skew affluent and geographically diverse. Approximately 34% maintain primary residences in Florida, 28% in the Northeast corridor, and 19% internationally. Average member age is 58, with household incomes averaging $2.7 million according to internal surveys.
Location & Access
Islamorada sits 73 miles southwest of Miami International Airport along the Overseas Highway (US-1). Drive times from major metropolitan areas range from 90 minutes (Miami) to 5.5 hours (Tampa). The Keys' single-highway access creates both exclusivity and vulnerability: Hurricane Irma in 2017 closed access for 11 days, temporarily isolating the resort.
Private aviation represents the preferred access method for 41% of club members. Marathon Airport (MTH), 20 miles south, accommodates private jets up to Gulfstream G650 size. The resort operates a helicopter service from Miami International, with flight times of 35 minutes at $1,850 per person each way.
The surrounding Islamorada community includes approximately 6,200 year-round residents across 18.8 square miles. Median home values reach $847,000, with waterfront properties averaging $2.1 million. The area's economy depends heavily on tourism and recreational fishing, with charter boat operations generating $34 million annually.
Marine access through the resort's marina accommodates vessels up to 150 feet, with slip rental rates of $4.25 per foot per night. The marina books at 67% occupancy year-round, reaching 91% during tarpon season (April-June) and sport fishing tournaments.
Recognition
Cheeca Lodge consistently appears in travel publication rankings, though specific golf accolades remain limited due to the course's resort association rather than pure club status. Golf Digest has not ranked the facility in its "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" due to limited access for non-members and resort guests.
The spa earned Forbes Four-Star recognition for three consecutive years (2019-2021), joining only 12 other Florida spa facilities with this distinction. Treatment booking data supports this recognition: customer satisfaction scores average 4.7 out of 5, with 89% of guests rating services as "excellent."
Tennis facilities received recognition from Tennis Magazine as among Florida's top resort tennis destinations, citing court conditions and professional instruction quality. The program averages 1,847 lessons annually across group and private instruction formats.
Environmental stewardship efforts earned certification from the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing water conservation (18% reduction since 2019) and energy efficiency improvements. The resort invested $2.3 million in LED lighting conversion and HVAC upgrades, reducing annual energy costs by $187,000.
