My family of 5 just returned, like others we were very concerned by the poor reviews, however had a wonderful stay at Cheeca Lodge. We have 3 children, all 5 and under. While making reservations, we originally went to book a 2 bdrm suite, but the hotel advised us that the 1 bdrm suite was big enough. We appreciated their honest guidance, which saved us a considerable amount of money. The renovated suite was beautiful, full kitchen allowed for many meals in with the young children, the screened in balcony allowed for safe play and relaxed meals and the furnishings and bathroom are very well done.
A couple food tips for families:
1) Winn Dixie - stop at the newer one as you cross the bridge into Islamor. , stock up on food
2) Trading Post - right across from Cheeca, has basics but very high in price (i.e Orange Juice, over $5) - great for salads, sandwiches, french bread, fried chicken etc.
3) Morada Bay - a dream come true for parents, you get to enjoy a nice meal while your kids play in the sand, amazing setting and good food
4) Great breakfast - Islamorada Restaurant and Bakery, a great group of women work here and the food is delicious, try the fried banana bread - also can pick up baked goods to take back to hotel.
5) Lunch - call and pick up sandwiches from any of the neighboring restaurants, the Islamorada Restaurant and Bakery has a good Fish Reuben
as for hotel tips,
1) Met many babysitters poolside, all were very experienced and had been with the hotel for years - expensive rates, (3 kids = $22, with a 3 hour min.) but worth it for a night out. The sitter we used came equipped with bread to take the kids to feed the fish
2) Cribs, high chairs can be delivered to your room
Overall the hotel met our needs, the staff were nice to the kids, the service is not 5 star - do not compare to a Four Seasons or Ritz, nothing similar (yet prices are also much lower), met expectations of nice resort.
Highly recommend for a family vacation! Also saw many couples enjoying Cheeca.

I have stayed at Cheeca twice. However, the last time they had no ice machines and when we ordered ice from the desk and room service it NEVER came. Pathetic.
The resort is quite beautiful and when I've been there jam-packed with kids.
Food quality at the restaurant was very good.
All in all the total experience is not worth the high price.

The Cheeca Lodge is quite expensive for lodging, meals and drinks. Although the grounds are nice but small, for the price, you expect a lot more. It seemed a bit dated. You are charged a resort fee whether you use the amenties(kayaks, etc) or not. I didn't think it was worth the price and wouldn't go back.

I agree with a number of the reviews below. During our recent stay, we found the facilities lovely. Our ocean view room was large, newly renovated and beautiful. But what often distinguishes a "luxury" resort is the caliber of service. However, the surly/non-existent/haphazard service fell ridiculously of what one would expect for the price and for the "feel" of the place. Cheeca was simply not worth the prices charged.

The service at the hotel's main restaurant was horrible - the pricey food took forever and was mediocre at best, while the place was nearly empty. You had to chase down staff to get a drink, or towels, or anything for that matter, down by the pool or beach. Our room was sometimes made up, sometimes not (ditto newspaper delivery in the morning - very hit or miss. C'mon - even Holiday Inn can get that right!) The desk staff was grouchy. And EVERYTHING cost extra, to the point where my husband and I were wryly joking that our room would get charged $10 if we took an extra napkin at the bar. That's just not what you should expect at a place that puts itself out as a luxury resort, and that clearly THINKS it is a luxury resort. In fact, it gave Cheeca a cheapened, tacky feel.

The one exception - although the watersports & fishing activities were outrageously priced, the watersports staff was at least very solicitous and friendly.