There is one thing Kristine Cox, the general manager of Playa Largo Resort and Spa, and her staff consistently offer their guests besides great service and beaming smiles: the positive response of “Yes!” to any of their visitors’ requests. Dinner on the beach tonight? Check! Arrangements to go snorkeling in nearby waters? Check! How about an hour-long massage or facial to relax after a grueling week? Check that off too!
For anyone lucky enough to visit Playa Largo, their first impression will last – they are staying at a unique and laid-back resort that offers amenities bound to slow down the often frantic pace of mainland life. Situated on Key Largo, the northernmost island of the Florida Keys and about an hour’s drive from Miami International Airport, Playa Largo resides on a long stretch of Key Largo waterfront. Its property sits on the site of a once-booming pineapple plantation, and specialized cocktails that include pineapple or drinks in hollowed-out pineapple shells are whimsical references to this heritage.
The resort offers several choices of accommodations. The main hotel has 177 luxury hotel rooms and suites all housed in Caribbean-inspired buildings, and two-story bungalows and a beach house in an area called “The Hammocks”. The ten bungalows allow for privacy but are an easy stroll to the resort’s pool, fitness center, manmade beach and its four restaurants and bars. Also included in the Hammock grouping is the Beach House, a three-bedroom and four-bath building with an elevator and a private pool.
Other options include an array of new vacation home rentals developed by Playa Largo Resort and Spa on the Atlantic side of the highway. Called Playa Largo Ocean Residences, these oceanfront and ocean-view vacation rentals are pet-friendly and set in a private community with a clubhouse, pool and full resort privileges at La Playa.
Hungry? No need to venture outside of the resort. It offers diners four restaurants to choose from. Sand Bar is a casual bar with drinks and bites for guests relaxing in the pool or on the beach. Las Olas is the ceviche bar located off the main hotel’s lobby and a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks. La Marea, headed by Chef Karl Stoehr, has a menu that combines local flavors with traditional Mediterranean cuisine, including handmade pizzas, pastas and breads. Lastly, Sol by the Sea offers seafood choices for guests who prefer to enjoy the sunset while they dine outside.
Not to be forgotten are two fun touches to book-end your day. The Eventide celebrates the transition from day to night, complete with free music and a pop-up bar, and after-dinner s’mores and wine.
For visitors who wish to enjoy a true Florida Keys experience, Sundance Watersports, is located in nearby Islamorada, Florida. The company’s catamaran, “Blue,” is 26 feet wide complete with a bathroom and two freshwater showers. The boat only travels to shallower reefs, from 7 to 17 feet deep that are perfect for snorkeling. All crewmembers are snorkel instructors and work to make everyone comfortable in the water.
Robbie’s, located in the same area, offers delicious chicken Caesar wraps, fries, and bagel breakfast sandwiches. In addition, the venue contains a gift shop where visitors can purchase fresh fish to feed the tarpons swimming along the pier.
Playa Resort and Spa proudly offers everything you need for a mental and physical renewal: a spa with a full range of facial and body massages, a 1,500 square-foot fitness center, tennis courts, individual pool cabanas, your choice of water sports, eco-tours, and even weddings on its central lawn. For more information, visit: playalargoresort.com
