Ready for a little romantic Florida getaway? Florida’s natural beauty and beaches provide welcoming pit stops across the state for locals and tourists, so please note these are only five favorites among a list that could span into the hundreds. Just consider it a microcosm of “Romantic Florida.”
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort
Location: Little Torch Key
Located 27 miles northeast of Key West, this resort offers a cozy romantic interlude for couples who value quality time: no TVs, no Wi-Fi access, no telephones. The resort is only accessible by seaplane or boat (the latter covered by the 12.5 percent daily resort fee). Accommodations include British West Indies-inspired bungalow suites, vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, private decks and indoor-outdoor showers. “This is Thurston Howell III’s version of Gilligan’s Island,” a reviewer wrote on tripadvisor.com. If you are looking to get away from everyday stress, especially in these pandemic times, check it out.
Be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. Nightly rates can hover in the $1,800 range and up.
More information: littlepalmisland.com
The Don CeSar
Location: St. Pete Beach
Known as Florida’s “Pink Palace,” the iconic Don CeSar was built in 1928 at the tail end of the first Florida boom. F. Scott Fitzgerald was among its early guests. It’s definitely the place for lovebirds, newlyweds, and marriage ceremonies. It now includes 277 luxurious rooms (and 36 suites), many with stunning views of Gulf beaches or Boca Ciega Bay. Some of the culinary highlights for guests include the crab cake sandwich at Rowe Bar and The Un-Berrybull cocktail with fresh fruit. The hotel has undergone some challenges in 2020 with the pandemic and renovations for all the rooms, but the good news is that it’s still standing and remains a Florida favorite.
Rates can vary by hundreds of dollars but lower prices hover around $250 per night.
More information: doncesar.com
White Orchid Inn & Spa
Location: Flagler Beach
Although only rated a three-star hotel, we would like to call this one a “hidden gem.”
It’s a cozy, little enclave, just an eight-minute walk to the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier, but you might want to stay awhile. White Orchid features two outdoor pools, a
full-service spa, and massage/treatment rooms. There are only seven rooms available, some including hot tubs and poster beds.
A two-night stay is required. Low season rates are $162, with a high season rate of $289.00.
More information: whiteorchidinn.com
Port d’Hiver Bed and Breakfast
Location: Melbourne Beach
The Port d’Hiver is set in a 1916 house situated across the street from the beach along the Atlantic Ocean. “Port D’Hiver offers 10 charming rooms and a bougainvillea-filled courtyard that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere,” says a review in U.S. News & World Report. Amenities include afternoon wine reception, an onsite fitness center, outdoor fire pit and a bubbling spa pool in lush tropical landscaping. It also provides freshly baked cookies all day with light bites. Rooms include poster beds, spa tubs and porches.
Prices fluctuate, with lower pricing around $290.
More information: portdhiver.com
The Palms Hotel & Spa
Location: Miami Beach
You can’t have romance if you don’t include the sex and the sizzle of Miami Beach.
“An oceanfront sanctuary in the heart of Miami Beach,” the Palms is a quaint boutique hotel with a great beachfront location. Amenities and ambiance include a colonial flair that features a lush tropical garden oasis with secluded relaxation areas. Or as the website touts, “tropical serenity.” Rooms are cozy and high-tech functional with
flat-screen TVs, AVEDA toiletries, coffee makers and iPod docks.
Average daily rates are between $209 and $473.
More information: thepalmshotel.com
