The Little Palm Island Resort & Spa on Little Torch Key was ranked No. 12 in the 2009 Travel + Leisure magazine list of top 500 hotels in the world. The Florida Keys resort was one of 12 Florida hotels that made the list. (LITTLE PALM ISLAND RESORT)
Related links
Lovebirds have their pick in Florida, with a variety of themed hotels and resorts at their disposal. Here is a selection to consider:
African Theme: Ever dream of going on an exotic safari with your loved one? You don't have to travel to the Dark Continent to do so, just to Lake Buena Vista, where Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas sits on a 33-acre savannah filled with zebras, giraffes and other animals -- 30 species in all.
You can watch the wildlife together from select savannah-view rooms as well as from a variety of public areas of the thatched-roof, African-inspired and decorated resort. You can also opt for a safari experience either at the resort or at the nearby Animal Kingdom Park. Two restaurants at the Animal Kingdom Lodge serve African specialties, a third one, American cuisine. The lodge also offers a wide selection of South African wines.
A room for Feb. 13, checking out on Feb. 14, starts at $340 at the Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Villas. For information, visit www.disneyworld.com.
Island Idyll Theme: Amelia Island Plantation is a 1,350-acre resort on Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville. To the east of the resort are the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean; to the west, green marshland and the Intracoastal Waterway. Pastimes include spa treatments, tennis and golf, and, of course, sunsets. The resort offers a Romantic Amelia package including an ocean-view Amelia Inn room for two nights, four-course dinner for two with champagne toast at either the Ocean Grill or Verandah on choice of evening (reservations required), Organic Chocolate Romantic Ritual for Two (50 min., reservations required), spa robes to keep and Godiva Chocolate welcome gift. Price is from $825 to $1,125 per couple for two nights. The package is subject to availability and valid through Dec. 31, 2010. For details, visit www.aipfl.com.
Italy Theme: Staff greets you with a "buon giorno" and takes leave of you with an "arrivederci" at Loews' Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Inspired in Portofino, the hotel looks as if it has been plucked out of the Italian Riviera and placed in Central Florida -- with pastel-colored buildings with green shutters, a harbor dotted with boats, and Italian sports cars are parked by the hotel's entrance. You can play bocce ball or go for a stroll in the harbor plaza, where nightly concerts present Italian musical styles. Mama Della's Ristorante at the hotel serves Italian fare to the tune of strolling musicians and Mama herself checks that you and your sweetheart have eaten all your dinner. Reservations quoted rates starting at $339 per room per night during February. The hotel features packages and specials. For details, visit www.loewshotels.com.
South Seas Theme: Just 30 suites, with decor themed to the islands of Indonesia and Polynesia, spell romance at Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys. It is accessible only by boat or seaplane, some of the suites are equipped with an outdoor shower surrounded by tropical vegetation, and all accommodations have no phones, radios or televisions to distract lovers.
Little Palm Island's reception center is at 28500 Overseas Highway on Little Torch Key. After registering, the resort's private launch whisks you and your love to Little Palm Island. A suite starts at $1,290 over Valentines' Day weekend with a three-night minimum stay required over that weekend. Rate includes boat transfer to the resort and water sports. Visit www.littlepalmisland.com.
Underwater Theme: When was the last time you and your love slept under water? Adventurous couples who love the sea, and want an unusual way to enjoy it, may wish to check out the Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo (named after that fantasy-lover, Jules Verne). At the lodge, after you go diving you can admire the watery panoramas from a 42-inch window and spend the night under water.
The Jul's Package includes diving gear, a stay with check-in at 1 p.m. and check-out at 10 a.m., dinner prepared by a "mer-chef" and breakfast the next morning. Price is $475 per person, per night. For information, visit www.jul.com.
Victorian Theme: A Victorian dream, the Lakeside Inn in Mt. Dora has a romantic floral décor in the rooms and ample verandahs for views of scenic Lake Dora. Pastimes include antiquing at Mount Dora's many antique shops, browsing at art galleries and excursions on the lake. The Lakeside Inn offers a variety of packages. Two-night Weekend Escape packages good over Valentines' Day weekend are priced from $399. Visit www.lakeside-inn.com.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
