In the May/June issue of Boca magazine, we visited five Florida destinations that offer the perfect retreat for those times when you just need to get away. The Sunshine State has no shortage of great escapes, so narrowing down the list wasn’t easy and there were quite a few locations that we couldn’t fit in print. In this exclusive Web Extra, we take you on a tour of one of these locations, Little Palm Island, for a secluded getaway at Florida’s only private island resort.
Where to Stay
Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, just off the coast of Little Torch Key, is an adults-only resort that has hosted some of the biggest celebrity names as well as a few U.S. presidents, all seduced by its tropical ultra-private location and luxury accommodations. Guests are invited to arrive on their own boats (or via seaplane) or can board the resort’s motor yacht for transfer from the welcome center on Little Torch Key where they are greeted with the resort’s signature fruity rum libation, the Gumby Slumber.
Upon arrival, you’ll enter a blissfully disconnected world with no televisions or phones—not that you’ll miss them. The resort’s thatched roof bungalow suites are like stepping into a dreamy tropical oasis; bamboo ceilings, rattan accents, diaphanous curtains draped softly over the beds, and lush palms swaying with the ocean breeze just outside your door. The resort also recently debuted its Island Premier Suites, which offer the perfect setting for a romantic escape with breathtaking veranda views of the ocean, an outdoor lounge bed, and a copper soaking tub.
What to Do
The resort grounds feature a host of tranquil amenities like the lagoon-inspired pool where guests can enjoy a cocktail from the Palapa Bar and sweeping ocean views, beachside fire pits and lounge chairs for cozy romantic evenings, and access to paddleboards, kayaks, Hobie cats and Boston Whalers for a day at sea. The crown jewel of the resort, however, is the onsite SpaTerre. This award-winning spa is famous for its Madrugada sunrise water massages where you are invited to lay on a table at sea and receive a soothing massage with both classic techniques and seashells as your mind drifts away to the sound of lapping waves.
For those looking for a more active experience, Little Palm Island is a renowned destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and more. Just a short boat ride from the island, Looe Key Reef is the third-largest barrier reef in the world and is host to a vast diversity of marine life. The resort also hosts private, customizable tours of the nearby islands and sandbars. Whether you’re looking to slowly cruise through lush mangrove creeks, have a drink on a sandbar, or do a bit of snorkeling, these trips can be tailored to fit whatever adventure you want to have.
Where to Dine
Little Palm island has always been famous for its dining. Enjoy a decadent meal with panoramic ocean views at the resort’s signature onsite restaurant, The Dining Room. This dazzling fine dining concept has been consistently lauded as one of the top hotel restaurants in the United States and recently welcomed chef Ali Monge of the Michelin-starred concepts MiniBar by José Andrés and El Cielo in Miami to helm its prestigious kitchen. The menu rotates with delectably inventive preparations of seafood and prime cuts, as well as the finest selections of caviar. The resort also offers private dining options, which are specially curated by the chef and served beachside or at the chef’s table in The Dining Room’s kitchen.
This Web Extra is from the May/June 2024 issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
