| “A-List” Hideaway in the Florida Keys |
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| Written by Jonathan Siskin | ||
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“A-List” Hideaway in the Florida Keys Little Palm Island Resort & Spa  TROPICAL DELIGHT Little Palm Island is a favorite rendezvous for many A-list actors, including Johnny Depp and Cameron Diaz Over the years I have had the opportunity to travel to some of the finest resorts on the planet on visits to more than 100 countries, from Antarctica to Zanzibar. Fortunately, I didn’t have to fly thousands of miles to partake of the pleasures of the Little PaIm Island Resort & Spa. An exclusive five-star hideaway, the resort is situated on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, which is the necklace of islands extending 125 miles south of Miami from Key Biscayne to Key West. Little Palm’s tropical ambience and secluded location (it is the only resort on the 5-square-mile island) make it a favorite rendezvous of A-list actors, entertainers, and athletes. Among the rich and famous who have stayed here are Paul Newman, Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow, Al and Tipper Gore, Ivana Trump, Lennox Lewis, Mario Andretti, and Tiger Woods. I got my first taste of Little Palm when a member of the staff handed me a “Gumby Slumber”—the resort’s signature welcome drink—prior to boarding the private yacht that transports hotel guests from the mainland to the island. The Gumby is a potent combination of Captain Morgan’s coconut and spiced rums mixed with pineapple, orange and cranberry juices, topped with shredded coconut marinated in 151-proof rum. After a few sips I began to feel I could walk on water; fortunately, I reconsidered and opted for the yacht. After a 20-minute ride we arrived at the dock of Little Palm adjacent to the resort. Soon after coming ashore I was escorted to the spacious suite that would be my delightful “home away from home” for the next three days. Like the other 28 one-bedroom, thatched-roof, oceanfront suites that make up the resort, it is situated amidst hundreds of Jamaican coconut palms just steps away from the beach. It comes with a king-size bed, a living room, wicker and rattan furniture, indoor and outdoor showers, a private sundeck, and a fully stocked mini-bar and wet bar. The two top-of-the-line Grand Suites also contain his and her bathrooms and an outdoor Jacuzzi. Total serenity is ensured by the absence of phones, televisions, and alarm clocks in all suites.  BEACH BLISS Enjoy the view from the resort’s spacious, thatched-roof oceanfront suites After unpacking I made my way to the candlelit dining room perched on a terrace above the beach. Here, nightly feasts are prepared by Master Chef Luis Pous, a native of Cuba who has created a menu featuring a fusion of French and pan-Latin cuisine. For my first meal I chose a main course of yellowtail-snapper ceviche with passion fruit, while my companion ordered roast pork tenderloin with roasted corn accompanied by black bean, sweet plantain, and bacon hash served with mango mojo. For dessert we selected coconut flan with mamey ice cream. You also have the option to dine in-suite; and for those who arrive by sea, meals can be delivered to their yacht. During the day I alternated between my suite, the beach, and the water, occasionally making use of the resort’s complimentary sailboats, windsurfers, kayaks, and canoes. You can also go for a dip in the lagoon-style swimming pool. Little Palm’s dive center offers lessons from PADI-certified instructors to beginning divers seeking certification and also has its own 30-foot premium dive boat that can be used by experienced divers for trips to some of the best dive spots along the last living coral reef in North America. As well as scuba excursions, there are guided nature tours by canoe and sailboat, deep-sea fishing trips, and sunset cruises. While some guests may be reluctant to leave the creature comforts of the island, there are several day trips worth taking not far from the resort that will enhance a visit to the Keys. I especially recommend stopping off at nearby Big Pine Key for a close-up look at the National Key Deer Refuge. The 8,000 acres of pine forest were established as a protected area in 1957 to protect the Key deer, an endangered species of diminutive deer (the smallest species in the world) that are just 2.5 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds when fully grown. In the 1950s the population had dwindled to near extinction; today there are around 700. The refuge is also the winter home of many North American birds, including the roseate tern and peregrine falcon. Another haven for birdlife in the lower Keys is the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses more than 375 square miles and is the prime nesting and breeding area for America’s largest wading bird and the only place where these heron can be observed in the United States. While some areas are accessible by car, it is best seen by kayak or canoe. Throughout my stay I felt immersed in a tranquility zone far removed from the hassles of everyday life, an atmosphere similar to what I had experienced on a trip to islands in the South Pacific. CONTACT INFORMATION Little Palm Island Resort & Spa www.littlepalmisland.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 800.296.7701
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