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 plus tips, Full-Time

Job Description

Busser – Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant

Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Islamorada, Florida Keys

Join the Nikai Team

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

Nikai combines expertly crafted sushi and Japanese cuisine with the relaxed beauty of the Florida Keys. Our team works together to create a polished, welcoming dining experience for every guest, and our Bussers play an important role in keeping service running smoothly.

What You'll Do
  • Welcome guests with a friendly and professional attitude.
  • Clear and reset tables quickly and according to restaurant standards.
  • Keep dining tables, service stations, and surrounding areas clean and organized.
  • Deliver clean glassware, silverware, plates, and other supplies to service areas.
  • Polish and inspect glassware and silverware to ensure proper presentation.
  • Refill water and assist Servers with guest needs throughout the meal.
  • Remove used dishes and service items promptly without disrupting the guest experience.
  • Maintain clean and fully stocked bus stations.
  • Assist Servers and other team members during busy service periods.
  • Help ensure tables are properly prepared for incoming guests.
  • Maintain cleanliness of floors, service areas, and other assigned restaurant spaces.
What We're Looking For
  • Previous restaurant or hospitality experience preferred, but we are willing to train the right person.
  • Friendly, dependable, and willing to work as part of a team.
  • Strong attention to cleanliness and detail.
  • Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
  • Professional appearance and positive attitude.
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift and carry trays, bus tubs, and restaurant supplies.
  • Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Why Join Nikai at Cheeca Lodge & Spa?

As a Busser at Nikai, you'll be part of a close-knit restaurant team where every position contributes to the guest experience. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to build experience in upscale hospitality, learn more about restaurant operations, and grow within Cheeca Lodge & Spa.

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
  • 18 Days Paid Time Off
  • Employee Discounts at Northwood Hospitality Properties and Bass Pro Shops nationwide

Bring your energy, teamwork, and attention to detail to Nikai Sushi Bar & Restaurant. Apply today and join the Cheeca Lodge & Spa 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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