Kona Kai Resort, Gallery & Botanic Garden

Kona Kai Resort, Gallery & Botanic Garden is, as its name suggests, a tropical-feeling paradise combining an international art gallery, private botanic garden (where guests can take free guided tours), and a small, serene beach on Florida Bay. The reception area is also the gallery, a bright, all-white space with glossy floors, ceiling fans, gallery-style overhead lighting, and a selection of paintings, sculptures, and other art objects by local and international artists. In addition to botanic gardens and grounds dotted with lily ponds, palm trees, and cacti, there's a small glass orchid house on the premises. Guests can also unwind on a sunbed or below a thatched umbrella on the sandy beach or the stone pier jutting into the clear Florida Bay. The pool, which is heated in winter and chilled in summer, and the hot tub are likewise idyllic, surrounded by palms and sitting just beyond the beach. 

The Kona Kai Resort is situated in Key Largo on Florida Bay, right off of the Overseas Highway. There are some casual restaurants within a few minutes' walk, including Ballyhoo's, which has seafood and vegan fare, plus many more options are a short drive away. Islamorada is a 20-minute drive and offers many restaurants, while Miami is about 90 minutes away and Palm Beach County is two hours by car. 

Rooms at the Kona Kai are each individually decorated with stylish pastel-colored walls and textiles as well as original artwork, some of which features historic Key Largo scenery. Rooms have fun touches -- the Guava, for instance, has maritime-themed bed pillows and a bed frame made from boat oars -- and all have views of the gardens, Florida Bay, or Everglades National Park. Each room has a king- or queen-size bed, air-conditioning, upscale bath products by H20 Sea Marine and resort-brand key-lime scented soaps, a coffeemaker with Wolfgang Puck coffee along with Revolution tropical teas, an iPod dock alarm clock, a mini-fridge, towels for the beach and bath, and a flat-screen TV with DVD player. Cottage-style suites have one or two bedrooms along with living and dining rooms and fully equipped kitchens, plus a handpicked selection of CDs with music by local musicians. Five of the suites have luxury sleeper sofas with space for one additional adult; two suites can be interconnected to make a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit. Bathrooms are immaculate but can be a bit cramped, with small stall showers or glass blocks walling off the shower area. 

In addition to taking advantage of free garden tours and perusing the art gallery on-site, guests have access to a slew of features at the Kona Kai. There are lighted tennis and shuffleboard courts, along with a stunning pool and hot tub overlooking Florida Bay, where guests can get massages, snack on free fresh fruit, and sip free bottled water. Private yoga sessions as well as kayaks and paddleboats are also available. There are barbecue grills throughout the grounds, as well as a DVD library for guests. The owner is known for being very helpful with arranging local excursions and tours, and guests can depart for eco-tours and backcountry fishing trips from the property dock. There's a lovely meeting room available with great natural light, colorful artwork, and an adjoining kitchen. Wi-Fi is free.