Last month, I spent 2 weeks in the Florida Keys with my family. Like many these days, people are finding ways to work remotely. As long as the WiFi works – why not? We’ve been able to work and play from a couple of locations since the pandemic started – a positive symptom of the times: online school and working remote!
While visiting the Florida Keys, I was able to tour 10 resorts from Key Largo to Key West which is just under 100 miles long. I now have first hand knowledge and experience with what resorts would best fit each family, couple, honeymoon or budget. I am here to be your eyes and ears so you don’t have to rely on pictures or websites online. This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time since traveling out of the country poses a challenge to many travelers.
I got a first hand look at how the Florida Keys has been handling COVID-19 and what precautions hotels are taking to make their guests feel safe. Every resort I toured enforced mask wearing in the lobby and any other inside or close spaces where vacationers congregated. The majority of people were masked in public unless on the beach with their family or eating at a table.
I have been to the Florida Keys before, but I truly forgot how beautiful the water is. Caribbean blue water, amazing sunsets, the coral reef, long key roads and mangroves – it’s a beautiful destination! The Florida Keys are easily accessible for vacationers. Fly in, rent a car and enjoy the view! Long stay? There are so many great options. Quick beach getaway? Plenty of choices. There is no shortage of things to do in the keys! We snorkeled and hiked at Bahia Honda State Park, we watched sunsets from Sunset Grille, we sat at the beach, we explored Duval Street, took our picture at the Southernmost Point and we kayaked and fished off of the docks. You can go deep sea fishing and then eat your catch, take a boat out to the Dry Tortugas or even visit the Turtle hospital to see their rehab efforts.
If you’re looking for that Caribbean feel without leaving the U.S., the Florida Keys is a perfect option for spring break, summer vacation, your honeymoon or to warm up during the winter! I am here to help you find what fits your vacation expectations and budget.
Email: emily@tailormytravels.com
Phone: 615-828-0453
THE RESORTS:
Romance
One of the most beautiful resorts I toured was Little Palm Island Resort and Spa. I arrived at the check-in building where they led me to wait for a vintage boat to take me over to Little Palm Island. It was a 5 min boat ride over to the island where they greet you with a drink. I felt relaxed immediately. The accommodations are little individual bungalows hidden along tropical pathways, some with their own private beach and plunge pool. The island’s beach is a decent size, staff is attendant to the needs of the guests and there are a few dining options. Couples can truly disconnect on this island for their stay – no TVs. It is so intimate and I love how serene and quiet all the paths were. By booking with me, I am able to provide you with $100 toward breakfast daily and a 1 time $100 resort credit that you wouldn’t be able to get booking directly.
Families
My favorite family friendly resort was Hawks Cay. This resort had so much for families to do right on the property. The best thing about this resort is that it can accommodate families with their villas or hotel rooms. The villas are spread out into different villages with different views, pools and community spaces. One example is the Sunset Villages, which has 2 and 3 bedroom villas in close proximity to the spa, fitness center, marina, Sunset Pool and one of Hawks Cay’s restaurants, Angler and Ale. This resort has a whole section for families with a pool, splash pad, mini golf, soccer fields and more. There is a marina for tours and fishing, a spa, golf cart and bike rentals, and a dolphin encounter. By booking with me, I am able to provide you with a free breakfast for 2 and a 1 time $100 resort credit that you wouldn’t be able to get booking directly.
Couples
Parrot Key, in Key West, is perfect for couples traveling together. It has cottages lined along private tropical walkways. This resort has 4 pools – all heated – and one of them is an adults only pool. The pools are hidden in what feels like secret gardens lined along the center of the property. There is one bar and restaurant on site. Rooms come with a specialty beach bag with waters, flip flop and a Turkish towel. You cannot enter or swim in water here unless doing water sports, and the entry for that is along the canal side of the resort, but there is a private beach on the water side of the resort for guests to enjoy. A shuttle will take you 4x a day to the beach or Duval Street. Smathers beach is 1 mile away and Parrot Key has towels and chairs set aside for its guests there (included in resort fee). By booking with me, I am able to provide you with additional booking benefits that you wouldn’t be able to get booking directly.
