The Caribbean Resort at Sea Isle

The Caribbean Resort at Sea Isle has a stately feeling and occupies grassy grounds dotted with towering coconut palms and laced with sandy pathways leading to the waterfront. Its lobby is in a white, colonial-style building with a shady front porch lined with neatly trimmed hedges. Guests are typically families and groups of friends, and they tend to congregate on their unit's private porches or around the outdoor pool and hot tub, where the heated rocks create a microclimate that encourages growth of the surrounding gardens filled with fruit trees. Throughout the grounds and down by the water, including at the marina and on the long fishing pier, there's no shortage of seating, such as tiki-style huts, wooden gazebos, carved wooden Balinese-style beds, and wicker loungers with plush cushions. While the property is upscale and elegant, kids are still kids -- and there can be noise around the pool area when they're splashing around. 

The resort is located in Islamorada, a few blocks from the Overseas Highway and within very easy reach of local attractions and dining options, but set apart enough to be far from traffic. Some guests find it easy enough to walk everywhere, as there are several restaurants, a grocery store, and wine shop within 10 minutes' walk -- or a couple minutes' drive. Boutiques and galleries are within a few minutes' drive, as is the History of Diving Museum. Key West is about an hour and 46 minutes south by car, and Miami and its airport are an hour and 40 minutes north.

Many of the one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes here are named after different palm trees found on the grounds, such as Fish Tail and Malayan, though each is individually decorated. All are designed to convey a welcoming, Caribbean ambience, with high ceilings, open-plan living and dining areas, and large kitchens with modern appliances. Decor includes chiseled stone or tile floors, mahogany and teak-wood furniture, and tasteful colors, such as bright teal deployed in elegant fashion. All homes have full washer/dryer units, gas barbecue grills, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Bathrooms have quality tile work and shower/tub combos -- or separate showers and soaking tubs in some -- and come with plush towels and toiletries. All homes have wraparound front porches with cushioned seating and lounge chairs; Little Palm North and South have simple patios. Long-term rentals are available, and there are also apartments in a small building facing the ocean. 

While the property is filled with self-contained homes and apartments, common areas include a pool and hot tub, where heated rocks and sea access create a microclimate that results in gorgeous tropical gardens filled with fruit trees. There's a lengthy fishing pier where guests can take in the sunrise, and fish. The marina has an easy-to-use, gently sloped boat dock. Guests can walk five minutes to the Islander Resort for beach access and boat rentals. Staff can arrange for charter boats, restaurant reservations, and other excursions around the area, which is well known for its fishing scene. With its panoramic ocean views, weddings and special events take place often here, and many choose to rent out the expansive Royal Palm Ocean Front Home for their gatherings. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.