Margaritaville Beach House brings the brand's relaxed, beach-bar style to Smathers Beach on the south shore. The Expedia page lists the address as 2001 South Roosevelt Boulevard, four stars, 186 individually furnished rooms in 15 room types, and a guest rating of 8.8 out of 10 from nearly 1,800 reviews. The outdoor pool has cabanas available for a surcharge, sun loungers and a poolside bar, with a terrace, hot tub, restaurant and lounge on site and cooked-to-order breakfast for a fee. Direct beach access puts Smathers Beach a two-minute walk away. A 24-hour gym, bike rentals, scooter rentals, a business center and a free round-trip airport shuttle on request round out the offering, with the airport only about five minutes by car. The property is described as LGBTQ+ friendly and welcomes dogs up to thirty pounds, two per room, for a fee.
The setting suits beach-first travelers. Smathers Beach is the island's longest public beach, and staying beside it means sand, water sports and sunrise walks without a drive. Old Town is a few miles away, so for Duval Street, Mallory Square and the Hemingway Home you will use the shuttle options, a taxi, rideshare or rental scooter. Higgs Beach and the East Martello museum are close by. The Margaritaville style leans playful and casual, with an emphasis on drinks, music and a beach-town mood rather than a historic-inn feel.
Budget carefully for fees. The Expedia page lists a nightly resort fee of about sixty dollars per room, covering beach access, self-parking, shuttle service, pool access and fitness center access, and other charges may apply for breakfast, pets and cabanas. Check-in starts at 4 pm with a minimum age of 21, and check-out is by 11 am. Payment is by card, not cash, and free cribs are available on request, though rollaway beds are not. Free cancellation is offered on select rates. Because the property is on a busy boulevard, ask about room location and view when booking.
Who it suits: couples and groups who want a lively beach resort, families who like being close to the sand and travelers who value an airport shuttle and a pool over a historic address. It is less suited to those who want to walk to Old Town's museums or prefer a quiet boutique inn. Plan beach mornings here, schedule Old Town sights for midday or evening with a shuttle or ride, and take advantage of nearby sunset and water-sports options along the south shore.
A final tip: schedule your Old Town days around the shuttle and your rideshare budget, and keep the beach for early morning and late afternoon when the sun is gentler. If you want a cabana at the pool, book in advance because the listing shows them as a surcharge item, and ask about the resort fee at booking so there are no surprises at checkout.
Why stay here
- ✓Steps from Smathers Beach
- ✓Outdoor pool with cabanas
- ✓Poolside bar
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Free airport shuttle on request
- ✓24-hour fitness center
- ✓Bike and scooter rentals
- ✓Dog-friendly rooms
Good questions
How close is the beach?+
The Expedia page says Smathers Beach is a two-minute walk, with direct beach access.
Is there a resort fee?+
Yes. A nightly resort fee of roughly sixty dollars per room is listed, covering beach access, parking, shuttle, pool and fitness access.
Is it walkable to Old Town?+
No. Old Town is a few miles away, so plan on the shuttle, a taxi, a rideshare or a rental scooter.
