When your toes first touch the sand at Little Palm Island, consider yourself shipwrecked in paradise. This private resort oasis in the Florida Keys, accessible only by boat or seaplane, is the perfect escape for couples looking to get away from it all. Cell phone use is prohibited in public spaces, and you won’t miss it.
Adventurous activities include deep-sea fishing, sailing and scuba diving—then savor the ultimate picnic as a seaplane whisks you off to a private island with a basket of culinary delights.
When it’s time to turn in, there are 30 thatched-roof bungalows (each personalized with your name on a wooden plaque). The Island Romance suite is tucked away in a secluded location and includes an outdoor Jacuzzi on a large deck with privacy curtains, a bamboo outdoor shower, your own fire pit, a private dock and more.
When you must return to reality, the resort eases you back in. Upon retrieving your car, a tiny bottle of the island’s signature coconut-mango fragrance mist sits on your dash with a card that reads: “Don’t be sad that it’s over. Be happy that it happened!” Indeed.
Miles from Palm Beach: 207
Why go: Aside from the obvious appeal of seclusion, Little Palm Island boasts exquisite service and personalized attention. The resort has landed on numerous “best” lists, from Travel & Leisure to Brides magazines. It also earned a spot in the Platinum Circle at Condé Nast Traveler for being on the magazine’s Gold List for the past five years straight.
Try this: The Javanese Royal Treatment at SpaTerre (below, soaking tub). Inspired by a purifying ritual for Java’s princesses, this decadent treatment includes a jasmine-scented Balinese massage, a rice and turmeric scrub, warm yogurt to soothe the skin and an exotic flower petal bath.
Top attraction: Beautiful key deer roam free, swimming back and forth from the mainland. The tiny creatures (think Bambi) are especially visible during dinner on the beach—and some let you touch them. No worries, staff will gently intervene if they come too close to your breadbasket.
For foodies: The French and Pan-Latin cuisine at The Dining Room is refreshingly vibrant and has been lauded from AAA to Zagat.
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