Cheeca Lodge and Spa

81801 Overseas Highway

Islamorada, FL 33036

Website www.CheecaJobs.com

Managed by Northwood Hospitality

Hotel with 214 Rooms
Managed By Northwood Hospitality
Save this job
Compensation: $10.98 per hour, Full-Time

Job Description

Restaurant Server – Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant

Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Islamorada, Florida Keys

Join the Nikai Team

Cheeca Lodge & Spa is seeking experienced, energetic, and hospitality-driven Restaurant Servers to join the team at Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant, our intimate Japanese-inspired dining destination.

Nikai brings the art of sushi and Japanese cuisine together with the flavors and atmosphere of the Florida Keys. Our menu features fresh locally and internationally sourced fish, expertly prepared nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls, along with Japanese-inspired dishes and a creative beverage program featuring sake, beer and craft cocktails.

As a Server at Nikai, you will be an important part of creating a memorable dining experience by combining knowledgeable, attentive service with the warm hospitality our guests expect from Cheeca Lodge & Spa.

What You'll Do
  • Welcome guests warmly and create an inviting, professional dining experience from arrival through departure.
  • Guide guests through Nikai's menu, including sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls and Japanese-inspired dishes.
  • Develop strong knowledge of menu ingredients, preparation methods and potential allergens.
  • Learn and confidently discuss our selection of sake, wine, beer and specialty cocktails.
  • Take accurate food and beverage orders and enter them promptly into the POS system.
What We're Looking For
  • Previous restaurant serving experience preferred; upscale, fine dining, resort or sushi restaurant experience is a plus.
  • Genuine enthusiasm for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
  • Interest in learning about sushi, Japanese cuisine and sake.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work confidently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Professional appearance and demeanor.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
  • Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and safely carry trays.
  • Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • No facial and neck tattoos or facial piercings
Why Join Nikai at Cheeca Lodge & Spa?

This is more than a traditional server position. You'll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of sushi and Japanese-inspired cuisine while working in a unique resort restaurant environment in the heart of the Florida Keys.

We're looking for Servers who enjoy connecting with guests, learning their craft and being part of a culinary team committed to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Full-Time Benefits Include
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Employer Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
  • Life Insurance
  • Up to 18 Days of Paid Time Off
  • Employee Discounts at Northwood Hospitality Properties

Bring your personality, passion for hospitality and commitment to exceptional service to Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant at Cheeca Lodge & Spa. Apply today and join our team in the Florida Keys.

Posted July 20, 2026

About Cheeca Lodge and Spa

WELCOME TO CHEECA

A Legendary Tropical Hideaway

Since 1946 the historic Cheeca Lodge & Spa has enchanted guests with world-class fishing, exceptional accommodations, and gracious hospitality. Come experience this lush oceanfront retreat, considered the premier luxury resort in the Florida Keys.

The Legend of Our Grand Florida Keys Hotel Resort

You've found it...the crown jewel of Islamorada Florida Keys hotels. 

Hardy Keys pioneers called Conchs chose this very beach to carve out a tenacious living in the isolated beauty of the undiscovered Florida Keys. Here, they formed a Methodist congregation and built a two-room school house and a cemetery. Cheeca has preserved this Pioneer Cemetery, where members of the founding families of Islamorada are buried. You can explore it today; it is a designated historical site. The Angel with the Broken Wing watches over the grave of Etta Pinder, who died in 1914. Here lies the first footprint of Islamorada – "Purple Isle" in Spanish.

The early 1940's brought electricity and fresh water. Mrs. Clara Mae Downey from Olney, Maryland, opened the Olney Inn in 1946. She described this early bellwether of Cheeca as "different – rather comparable to the tropical estate of a gifted host." Clara's first guest was President Harry Truman, who cherished his time loafing around the pool and wondering amidst the resort's 22 quaint bungalows. 

Fast horses, high society and a healthy dose of Keys vivacity marked the reign of the Twitchell Family in the 1960's. Cynthia, better known as "Chee," was an heiress to the A&P grocery chain and owner of a top thoroughbred racing farm. "We took my nickname, combined it with my husband Carl's, and came up with "Cheeca," she recalled. The Twitchells completely refurbished the property, adding the main lodge, the oceanfront villas, tennis courts, golf course and Cheeca's trademark wooden fishing pier. Chee raised miniature tarpon and her beloved seahorses in the aquariums throughout the resort. "Suzy the Seahorse" became Cheeca's mascot and logo, gracing the resort's menus, brochures, towels and linens.

Avid outdoorsman and Coca Cola magnate Carl Navarre purchased Cheeca Lodge in 1976, hosting his Fortune 500 friends in for sunny days of sportfishing and golf. Celebrities flocked to the hotel and famous guests were reeling in giant bonefish right off the resort's pier. The "Sportfishing Capital of the World" was born, seducing wealthy adventurers from around the world.

In 2005, Cheeca Lodge underwent over $30 million dollars in renovations, restoring the property and its surrounding grounds to their original grandeur, ensuring that we will be a cherished destination for generations to come. Following a fire on New Year's Eve 2008, the Main Lodge was completely rebuilt once again, with a fabulous open-air lobby, a spectacular oceanfront banquet room with panoramic views, and an exclusive indoor / outdoor lounge area for club members.

About Northwood Hospitality

Founded in 2006, Northwood Hospitality (NWH) has established itself as a leading boutique operator with a true understanding of value creation. Our high-touch management philosophy focuses on providing a collaborative and hands-on approach with each hotel team. We rely on real-time operating data to drive both strategies and revenues.

People are our Passion

Our team members, guests, partners and our communities are our passion. We take a people-first approach to learning & developing, ensuring our team members have the skills and tools to succeed.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to create and nurture an environment that ignites our team members passions; we provide the tools & mentoring to empower them and foster a sense of belonging.

Our Mission

Our mission is to maximize asset value creation and performance.

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