Cheeca Lodge & Spa has closed indefinitely due to a fire at the resort on New Year's Eve, according to the hotel's website.
The fire began in the front of the hotel at approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 31 and is said to have been caused by embers landing on a thatched awning between the second and third floors of the main building. Arson has been ruled out and there were no injuries. This does, however, mark the biggest fire in the Keys in 20 years and more than 80 firefighters from departments from Marathon in the Middle Keys to South Miami-Dade responded.
The resort is more than six decades old and has played host to such notable guests as Presidents Harry S. Truman and George H.W. Bush. Luckily, due to a recent renovation, many of the resort's photos and souvenirs had been removed from the main building and stored elsewhere.
On Thursday, officials closed the 199-room resort, which sits on 27 acres along the Atlantic Ocean.
Cheeca Lodge representatives are reaching out to guests to assist with
re-booking reservations. For inquiries as of Wednesday,
January 7, call Cheeca reservations (800-327-2888). For immediate
assistance, contact the Miami Sales Office (305-470-1955; 800-541-3491).