Little Palm Island Resort & Spa:
A BIT OF TAHITIAN PARADISE IN THE U.S.
By Michelle R. Mangio
Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist of Magical Escapes Vacations

     Many brides are inspired by the pictures of Tahiti & Her Island, dreaming of overwater bungalows on exotic islands. And while I regret to say that if you want the experience of those overwater bungalows, you still must visit the South Pacific, I can happily tell you that there’s a way to experience a little bit of the Tahitian luxury right here in the U.S.

     Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, located just off Little Torch Island down in the Florida Keys, is a bit of paradise in our backyard. This luxurious resort was named the “Best U.S. Resort” by reader’s of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine, and among the “Top 20 Resort Hideaways” by the Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report. Here in the lap of luxury, you will quickly forget that you are still the U.S., easily falling into the exotic paradise escape this beautiful resort evokes.

     Twenty-eight secluded oceanfront bungalows are nestled throughout the grounds of the resort, hidden among palm trees and flowering bushes – with two exclusive Island Grand Suites offering the ultimate luxurious experience. White sand beaches surround the island, and hammocks tucked among the Jamaican palms provide a romantic nap under sun or stars.

     Each thatched-roof bungalow features a king canopy bed draped with butterfly netting, a spacious living room, indoor and outdoor private shower, whirlpool tubs, a dressing room, and a private verandah overlooking the clear blue ocean. At 550 square feet and decorated in one of the three themes (Polynesian/Tahitian, British Colonial, or Indonesian), there’s plenty of space to feel right at home.

     But if you want to make your stay everything you dreamed it could be, reserve one of the two Island Grand Suites, with over 1,000 square feet of British Colonial elegance. Each suite features decorative details to create an atmosphere of elegance: wrought-iron chandeliers, fine imported furnishings, Florida Keys plantation shutters, slate floors, and wooden ceiling fans. You’ll also enjoy a His and Hers bathroom and separate dining area. And at dusk, enjoy the island’s best sunset views as you bask in your own private hot tub on your verandah.

     Little Palm Island is accessible only by boat or seaplane, representing the ultimate escape. Be ready to bid adieu to life as you knew it; all the modern “inconveniences” are cast aside so that you might truly live in the moment – and enjoy every precious second of your honeymoon. There are no alarm clocks or televisions, and cell phones are virtually non-existent. Here, wake up calls are the sound of the island birds, and the shows are the amazing ocean views and brilliant sunsets.

     Indulgence is the order of the day at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa. The SpaTerre offers an abundance of treatments, from Caribbean-style massages to wraps evoking the Far East. Swim in the warm Caribbean waters, or lounge in the freshwater lagoon pool. Enjoy gourmet “Floribbean” cuisine in the Dining Room, with a romantic candlelight dinner. Peruse the classic literature collection in the resort’s Great Room, or shop for souvenirs at the Island Boutique and Gift Shop.

     If you want a bit of adventure, there’s plenty to do. The Florida Keys are famous for their superb scuba diving, snorkeling, and deep sea fishing. Daily trips are offered to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary and the wreck of Adolphus Busch. Take a tour to the Great White Heron Wildlife Sanctuary or to Key West, charter a sailboat, spend a day fishing (deep sea, back country, or flats fishing). The water sport equipment is complimentary to all guests; enjoy kayaking, day sailing, and windsurfing.

     If you enjoy great food and wine, you’ll find it at the Dining Room at Little Palm Island and Resort. But it doesn’t stop there; the custom service of the resort makes it possible to turn any location on the island into the ideal dining setting. Want a romantic candelight dinner on the white sand beach? A view of the crimson sun on the Sunset Dock? Chef Anthony’s staff can arrange it all. You don’t even need to stay on the island; they will gladly pack the ultimate picnic of epicurean delights for you to bring with you.

     And if you are looking for an enchanted setting in which to exchange your vows, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa offers the ideal romantic place to say, “I do.” They offer a variety of wedding and honeymoon packages, and an on-site Wedding Coordinator will help you plan the perfect day, from ceremony right down to the place settings.

     For the honeymoon couple looking for luxurious indulgence coupled with the sense of an exotic escape, yet wanting to stay within the U.S., there is no better place to spend your honeymoon than at Little Palm Island.

About Michelle Mangio
Michelle Mangio is the owner of Magical Escapes Vacations, based in Attleboro, MA. She is a certified Honeymoons & Destination Weddings Specialist, with expertise in many popular honeymoon locations, including Tahiti & the South Pacific, Australia, Aruba, Hawaii, Cancun, and more.

About Magical Escapes Vacations
Magical Escapes Vacation is a full-service travel agency specializing in complete destination planning for any occasion. “Don’t just make reservations. Make experiences. Create memories. Live your dreams.” Let Magical Escapes Vacations take the stress and uncertainty out of vacation planning by assisting you in creating a vacation to remember for a lifetime. Our unique personalized approach will exceed your expectations. We treat each vacation like it was our own, and will work with you to find the perfect getaway. So escape away today… because everyone deserves a vacation.
For more information, contact Michelle at Magical Escapes Vacations toll-free at 866-698-7849 or locally at 508-717-2535, by email at michelle @ magicalescapes.com, or online at http://www.magicalescapes.com

About Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, and Noble House Hotels & Resorts
Located three miles offshore in the Lower Florida Keys, Little Palm Island is only accessible by boat or seaplane. For more information, please contact your travel professional or visit the hotel online at www.littlepalmisland.com
Noble House Hotels and Resorts is a privately held real estate development company based in Seattle, Washington. The company owns and manages 12 boutique hotels and resorts located in seven states and spanning the four coastal corners of the U.S. Founded in 1980, the Noble House collection includes such renowned properties as The Adolphus hotel in Dallas, Texas; Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys and The Edgewater hotel in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit the Noble House Hotels and Resorts website at www.noblehousehotels.com.

Magical Escapes Vacations – http://www.magicalescapes.com
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa – http://www.littlepalmisland.com

(This article originally appeared in the December 2005 Edition of the Wedding Day Sourcebook)