Best rooms at The Island Resort, ranked
Top pick: Room (Gulf View) for direct ocean views and private balcony access from The Beach House. Best family option: Junior Suite, with Sofa bed (1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed); best pool-facing option: Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View (2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed).
In this guide
- How I ranked rooms
- 1 — Best overall: Room (Gulf View)
- 2 — Best for families: Junior Suite, with Sofa bed
- 3 — Best pool access: Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View and Room, Pool View
- 4 — Best budget pick: Standard Room and Standard Room, Courtyard View
- 5 — Best for groups: Junior Suite, Multiple Beds
- 6 — Practical notes when choosing a room
How I ranked rooms
Rankings focus on view, bed configuration, proximity to pools/beach, and whether rooms are in The Beach House (interior corridor, higher floors) or the two-story buildings (Sunrise, Sunset, Sunshine) with exterior corridors.
I used the property's published room types and building layout: The Beach House contains premium, Gulf Front and Pool View rooms, while Sunrise/Sunset/Sunshine overlook gardens and pool areas.
- View and balcony access (Gulf view > pool view > courtyard).
- Sleeping capacity and bed layout (suites with sofa beds beat single-room layouts for family stays).
- Ease of access to pools, Grotto Bar and beach (ground-floor/pool-view rooms and Beach House locations matter).
| What I judged | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| View & balcony | Direct Gulf views improve the stay and are concentrated in The Beach House |
| Room type / beds | Sofa beds and multiple beds suit families; king beds suit couples |
| Proximity to pool/beach | Pool-view and ground-floor rooms are easiest for pool/beach access |
1 — Best overall: Room (Gulf View)
Why it tops the list: Room (Gulf View) gives the clearest Gulf-facing aspect the resort offers and is sold as a Gulf-view option in The Beach House. If you want to wake to Gulf views and a private balcony, book this type when availability allows.
Who should pick it: couples and anyone prioritizing a balcony and ocean sights over immediate pool access. The Beach House location also places you in the taller, interior-corridor building the property markets as premium.
- Typical bed configuration listed: 2 Queen Beds (see room list).
- Located in The Beach House building (Gulf Front and Pool View rooms are in The Beach House).
- Direct sightlines to the Gulf and easy access to private beach and Beach Bar.
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| View | Gulf-facing balcony |
| Best for | Couples or anyone wanting ocean view |
| Bed layout | 2 Queen Beds (as listed for Room (Gulf View)) |
2 — Best for families: Junior Suite, with Sofa bed
Why it’s a family favorite: The Junior Suite, with Sofa bed includes a king bed plus a double sofa bed, which makes it straightforward to sleep parents and kids without booking multiple rooms.
Who should pick it: families who want extra living space, a small kitchenette-style setup where available, and a balcony overlooking the pool or Gulf depending on building location.
- Bed layout: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed.
- Extra space: suites have separate sitting areas and kitchenette features on some listings (suite photos show living area and kitchenette).
- Located across the property — check whether you get a Beach House suite or a suite in Sunrise/Sunset/Sunshine when booking.
| Family benefit | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Sofa bed | Sleeps extra child or teen without a second room |
| Larger living area | Space to spread out during downtime |
| Balcony option | Gulf or pool views depending on assigned building |
3 — Best pool access: Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View and Room, Pool View
If you want to be steps from the Grotto Pool, Grotto Bar and Cabana Cantina, choose a Pool View room or the Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View. Pool-view room types are typically in The Beach House or in the lower-rise buildings overlooking the pool.
Who should pick them: travelers who plan to spend most of their day at the pool or want quick access for kids between room and water.
- Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View bed layout: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed.
- Room, Pool View options include 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds depending on the listing.
- Pool-side perks: faster trips to the Grotto Pool, swim-up bar (seasonal), Cabana Cantina and poolside dining.
| Room type | Beds listed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Suite, Multiple Beds, Pool View | 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed | Large families wanting pool proximity |
| Room, Pool View | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds | Couples or small families wanting pool access |
4 — Best budget pick: Standard Room and Standard Room, Courtyard View
Standard Room types (including Standard Room, Courtyard View) are the straightforward value option: simple layouts, reliable amenities (free WiFi, included fitness center access) and lower rates than suites or Gulf-front rooms.
Who should pick them: budget-conscious travelers, parents who will be out at the beach most days, or guests who need a clean, functional room without a balcony or premium views.
- Standard Room bed options: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (Standard Room listings indicate both configurations).
- Standard Room, Courtyard View specifically lists 2 Queen Beds.
- Standard-room amenities include free WiFi and access to the fitness center; check in advance for ground-floor patio or courtyard assignments if you prefer direct outdoor access.
| Type | Beds listed |
|---|---|
| Standard Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Standard Room, Courtyard View | 2 Queen Beds |
5 — Best for groups: Junior Suite, Multiple Beds
For groups traveling together, the Junior Suite, Multiple Beds (2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed) provides flexible sleeping arrangements in a single room and is listed in pool-view variants as well.
Who should pick it: multi-adult groups or families wanting to keep everyone in one room while retaining some living-room space.
- Large bed count without needing adjoining rooms.
- Suite layout gives a living area and often a balcony; confirm exact unit features at booking.
- Pool-view variants put the group closest to the Grotto Pool and poolside dining.
| Room | Why groups like it |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite, Multiple Beds | Sleeps more people with mixed bed types in one suite |
| Multiple pool-view options | Keeps the group close to shared activities and restaurants |
6 — Practical notes when choosing a room
Buildings: The Beach House is a six-story interior-corridor building with premium, Gulf Front and Pool View rooms. Sunrise, Sunset and Sunshine are two-story buildings with exterior corridors that overlook gardens and the pool. Ask which building you’re assigned to if you have a strong preference.
Seasonal features: the Grotto Bar is seasonal, and pool operations can vary — verify seasonal swim-up bar hours and seasonal pool programming with the resort before booking.
- Check whether your booked room is in The Beach House or in Sunrise/Sunset/Sunshine.
- If you need pet-friendly accommodations, call ahead to confirm pet-room availability.
- If you require accessible features, ADA-accessible rooms and public spaces are available; request them at booking.
| Common guest questions | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Are there Gulf-view rooms? | Yes — Room (Gulf View) and other Gulf Front rooms are located in The Beach House. |
| Can I get a room next to the pool? | Book Pool View room types or request a ground-floor/pool-side assignment; availability varies. |
| Are suites available with sofa beds? | Yes — several Junior Suite types list sofa beds for extra sleeping space. |
