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When you think of the ideal vacation, what comes to mind? Europe, the beach, a ski trip, camping… something else?

Whatever comes to mind, a common theme most of us share when planning a getaway is that we want it to be easy. We stress enough in our normal lives, so why should we stress on vacation?

Well imagine stepping off a plane and into a tropical paradise just an hour later.

No long-haul flights, no customs lines, no jet lag. Just the warm sun, the gentle breeze, and the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys.

This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality that awaits at Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo.

Back Again and Again

The first time I took a trip to the Keys was another lifetime ago when I was about 12. We road-tripped all the way to Key West from Louisville, Kentucky.

I remember loving every second, and I’ve been back several times since! The most pleasant things in life are worth endlessly repeating, and The Keys are no exception.

Last year was another road trip, but this year I had the great pleasure of checking out Playa Largo.

And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

While I like to see different sections of The Keys each time I go, I’ll be tempted to simply book a week at Playa Largo next time.

Why, you ask?

I have 5 main reasons…

1) Easy, Breezy, Beautiful… Playa Largo

Sometimes, the best things in life are the hardest to attain. Advanced degrees, chiseled abs, fancy cars… you get my point.

But sometimes, the best things are ridiculously easy, like a Playa Largo getaway!

Not only do you not need a passport to visit this gorgeous property, but you’ll be spoiled for flight options since Miami is so well connected (there are 80+ direct connections in the U.S.).

Once you land, Playa Largo is only about an hour away by car.

Talk about easy to reach!

2) Luxury Redefined, Nature Inspired

Sounds pretty buzzwordy right? Still, I mean it!

Playa Largo felt luxurious in a different way than most resorts, and that’s partly because of how much they went out of their way to preserve the natural environment when building the property.

I stayed in one of the Bungalows, and every time I walked to my room, I felt like I was walking on a gorgeous wooded path in the jungle.

But don’t let the ‘isolation’ fool you. While I felt worlds away in my room, I was only ever steps away from the beach, the pool, the amazing restaurants, and the gym.

I had the world at my fingertips while feeling like I had the whole resort to myself.

The Bungalows have 2 levels, and a full service kitchen. It really feels like you are in your own little home during your stay.

Best of all, when you stay in a Bungalow, you get breakfast brought to your room every day!

Talk about luxury… I didn’t need anything more than a robe to get my breakfast and coffee each morning.

Here were some of the top things I loved about staying in a Bungalow at Playa Largo:

• Daily breakfast: Wake up, don your robe, walk to your front door… breakfast awaits!
• Full kitchen: While I didn’t take advantage on this trip, I typically like to cook a few meals for myself when traveling, making this room perfect.
• HUGE Master Suite: You know how I said the Bungalow was 2 floors? Well, the top one is the Master, the whole floor! Nothing screams luxury like a massive room with an equally massive master bath.
• Giant Tub: I literally never take a bath at home, but when in Rome… anytime I stay somewhere with an amazing looking tub I have to try it out, and Playa Largo takes the cake! The tub even had a little tray with everything you need to make for a relaxing time in the tub.
• Privacy: The second I reached my “Room” (it’s really more of a house if we’re honest), I felt like I had total privacy. Even drinking coffee on my balcony in the mornings felt private since I was surrounded by trees.

3) Adventure Awaits, Relaxation Beckons

I don’t know what your typical vacation looks like, but I prefer to have a bit of it all. I like adventure, and I like relaxing.

I want to be able to get my heart pumping if the mood strikes and to tune out and turn my brain off too.

This was easy at Playa Largo, and part of the reason I’m keen to head back.

One of my favorite parts of the property, which made for a relaxing time, was the floating cabanas. We had a cabana reserved for the afternoon and took full advantage!

When you book one, you get a cooler with some drinks already picked out, a Bluetooth speaker, and full service as if you are at a restaurant, meaning you can even order your lunch out to the cabana.

I loved being able to have my feet in the water while floating on the ocean and eating lunch in the shade.

Another highlight of my stay was Playa Largo’s Eventide, a celebration of the shift from day to night.

Think live music, special drinks, and fun activities! One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was a table where you could write something you were stressed or worried about on a piece of paper, and then you toss it into a firepit that gets lit and pulled out into the water.

I’d tell you what I wrote, but I don’t want to bring the worries back 😂.

Some of my other favorite activities (both adventurous and relaxing) included:

• Sound Bathing Meditation: We enjoyed a guided meditation on the beach with singing bowls. It was the perfect way to start the day, and really set the tone for a day of relaxation. For those seeking a wellness getaway, you’re in luck! Playa Largo is hosting ReFLEXions September 13-15 which will have wellness classes, spa experiences, and motivational sessions to achieve the reset so many of us need!
• Snorkel Trip: Playa Largo has a catamaran right on site operated by Caribbean Watersports, so it was super easy for us to go out for a snorkel session! I love any excuse to get underwater, and this was one of my favorite activities of the trip.
• Massage: What more is there to say? You can never go wrong with a massage! I went with the Ocean Spa Signature Fusion Massage and practically melted into the table. As a daily laptop user, it was amazing to have a week of respite from my constant neck pain after such a great massage.

4) Culinary Journeys, No Passport Required

Just saying it again… you don’t need a passport or long flights to enjoy amazing destinations!

And you certainly don’t need one to enjoy the incredible food on offer at Playa Largo.

I could write a whole article about the amazing food here, and I’m getting hungry typing this out…

My favorite dining experience was definitely the Evening Water Table (check it out here).

Something about walking into the water to sit at your dinner table made the whole experience that much more special.

While the sun set behind us, we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers before ordering our mains. If it’s something you like, I highly recommend the Pork Belly Chicharron.

Be sure to dress for the occasion! I accidentally wore pants that were difficult to roll up and ended up getting them a bit wet. WORTH IT!

Plus, the Bungalows had a washer and dryer, so it was a non-issue.

To top it all off, the experience comes with a mini Polaroid camera to capture the moment so you can take it with you when you are done.

One thing that really stuck out about Playa Largo was how attentive they were in making sure you walked away with memories of your stay.

Staff were quick to offer to snap pictures for you, and even quicker to make sure you were always having the best time.

A few more of my favorite culinary delights were:

• Tropical Mixology Class: The very first night at Playa Largo, we jumped right into a mixology class with the head bartender, and it kicked off a new hobby! I had so much fun that making cocktails has become a weekly adventure. I still make the Hemingway Daquiri a lot (a Playa Largo fave), and have the ingredients on hand at all times!
• Summer Nights Chimenea: After our water dining experience, we capped off the night by making s’mores and sipping on delicious wine around a few Chimeneas. It was a great opportunity to chat around the fires while enjoying some delicious treats!

5) Key Largo’s Charms At Your Doorstep

Finally, don’t forget to leave the property (even though you may not want to!). Key Largo and nearby Islamorada have plenty to explore.

Grab a bite at the world-famous Fish House or head to Islamorada to visit the Florida Keys Brewing Company.

We toured the brewery last year and loved spending an evening there. The beer is great and the vibes are off the charts.

Live music, local artists, and psychedelic décor await!

If you have the chance and you are certified, Key Largo also has fantastic diving. It’s easy diving, as pretty much anywhere you go in the Keys is going to be shallow.

Paradise Is In Your Backyard, Your Key Largo Escape Awaits!

Playa Largo was an amazing stay and allows travelers to embrace the charm of the Florida Keys without the hassle of long-distance travel.

Whether you want adventure, relaxation, or the perfect blend of both, Playa Largo has you covered!

I already can’t wait to go back, and love to chat about past adventures! If you want to know more or have any questions feel free to reach out to me directly at tyler@traveloffpath.com.

_{**Travel Off Path was a guest of Playa Largo Resort, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**}

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.