Guests at Tranquility Bay are feline in touch with the resort’s wild side as they explore the landscaped paths and lush gardens of the grounds. Not only can they encounter colorful birds dancing around the palm trees, guests will also have a chance to meet Ducky, Emmy, Marilyn and Sandy. These cutely-named characters are far from being Marathon’s latest line-up of stage-show singers; they’re the majestic mix of orange, tabby and white-furred cats who have made Tranquility Bay their home since being rescued from the local Keys Animal Hospital.
Under the loving care of local vet Dr. Dunn and our General Manager Bob, these four feline friends have become part of Tranquility Bay life, enjoying nutritious meals that are specially prepared for them during the day. When Bob is onsite, he can be spotted taking time out of his busy schedule to ensure each cat is receiving the level of nurture he or she needs. And don’t be surprised if you hear him calling out, “Marilyn” at 6:00 a.m. to feed his feline friend. We can assure you that he’s not a guest looking for his lost wife.
We asked Bob which cat is his favorite and he replied by saying that he loves them all and is so pleased that we were able to rescue them and provide a safe home for the cats. He added that it is amazing to see how much the guests fall in love with Ducky, Emmy, Marilyn and Sandy. “We constantly receive emails from guests who want to check on their favorite cat,” Bob said. Children especially love to search for each cat during their visit with our cat finder guide.
Dr. Dunn also makes “house” calls and visits the cats at Tranquility Bay whenever he is needed. When asked what Dr. Dunn thinks about our cats, he responded, “I would say that the Tranquility Bay cats are probably some of the luckiest felines I know. They are well cared for and have a regular staff to tend to their every need in addition to a year round rotation of welcoming visitors to share their lives with. I always look forward to coming for house calls to not only attend to their medical needs, but to also get a mini vacation while visiting them in the most beautiful resort in the Middle Keys.”
Although they are cared for by the resort, the quartet of cats remain wild by nature and are defensive against other creatures that inhabit the Florida Keys, including snakes, possums, iguanas and raccoons. While guests can enjoy spotting Ducky, Emmy, Marilyn and Sandy sunning themselves around the grounds, it is important not to pick the cats up for a cuddle as they will feel vulnerable and could naturally try to protect themselves.
Meet our furry friends
DUCKY: This is Ducky, the only male in the feline foursome and the oldest of the cats. Ducky has a distinguished orange tabby coat and loves to roll over to show off his tummy when guests gently pet him. He loves lazing around in the Florida sunshine, but when his paws get wet, he may become a little grumpy!
It’s therefore harder to find Ducky out and about during a tropical downpour, as he’ll return to his favorite retreat in the hotel lobby. Ducky gets his name from Duck Key where he was found abandoned. Just don’t arrange a play date for Ducky and Marilyn as he does not seem to like her much!
MARILYN: Meet Marilyn, the beautiful white cat peppered with a few black spots (including a little smudge on her cute nose). Marilyn’s favorite hang-out areas of Tranquility Bay are the back porches of units 16-24 where she is at her happiest lounging throughout the day.
She likes to be vocal, so it’s easy for guests to listen to all she has to say. With lounging around as one of her favorite past-times, Marilyn is definitely not a fan of being picked up. She is also not a fan of hanging around with Ducky, so it’s very unusual to see these two prowling around in pairs!
EMMY: Emmy is our stunning green-eyed tabby who has a yellow color running through her fur. She loves to feel pampered and prefers staying indoors than venturing out to explore the grounds.
The heat can often be too much for Emmy, she now spends her time inside and loves finding a cool spot to relax.
SANDY: Last but not least, here’s Sandy. She’s the smallest of the four, yet certainly not the most quiet! Sandy will make it known when she needs attention by being vocal and swatting Bob’s foot to remind him when it is time for dinner.
Sandy loves the beach, which is why her name is so well-suited to her character. She loves the great outdoors and taking long walks along the sand, and is equally as comfortable relaxing on the back porches of units 74-78. Sandy likes to have plenty of space to herself, but the Tranquility Bay guests adore her.
Spend some time with the kids while at Tranquility Bay, trying to find each of our furry friends. Use our handy cat finder guide, to help you along the way and you can request a copy of our cat finder from the front desk of the hotel.
Download our cat finder guide >
Further explore Marathon’s wild side
Beyond the grounds of the resort, Marathon has plenty of places for guests to further explore the wonderful wildlife of the Florida Keys. The Dolphin Research Center, Wild Bird Center, Nature Center of Crane Point Hammock, Aquarium Encounters, and the Turtle Hospital are all popular attractions for nature lovers. A paddle boarding trip on the water is also a fantastic way to get close up to the island’s colorful wildlife. For more inspiration on activities to enjoy and places to explore during your Florida Keys vacation, visit here.
