Kona Kai Resort: A Florida Keys Escape
If you’re thinking of visiting the Keys, you might have a lot of questions on where to stay. You can read more about the Keys in my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide, but for where to stay, I wanted to share more about a little slice of paradise in the upper Keys that I recently was able to experience.. Kona Kai Resort Key Largo!
Kona Kai Resort is a small property nestled in the heart of Key Largo, the northernmost key. It’s so charming and enchanting – the perfect place for a romantic weekend or even a remote work spot! So if you’re looking for a place to stay in the Upper Keys, look no further.. Kona Kai Resort Key Largo is the ultimate tropical escape. Keep reading to find out why!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
The Vibe
Kona Kai Resort Key Largo embodies the Keys so perfectly.. If you’ve never visited the Florida Keys, let me explain. The Keys are pretty secluded. Aside from Key West (which sees tons of visitors a year), the rest of the Keys are a little off the beaten path from your typical resort go-er.
You won’t find stretches of white beaches or posh beach clubs in the Keys. The Keys are about slowing down, spending your day on the water, and enjoying the nature that surrounds you. You won’t find raging clubs or rowdy parties at night; instead, you’ll be watching the sunset on the bayside or eating fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
Kona Kai Resort Key Largo positions you to experience this lifestyle perfectly. The resort footprint is not large, making your stay feel extremely private.. With only 13 bungalows on the property, you won’t feel overwhelmed with strangers; instead, you might get to know some of the other people staying at the resort by the pool or on the dock. The resort is extremely peaceful, making it the perfect place to escape and enjoy the true Florida Keys.
P.S. Planning a trip to the gorgeous Florida Keys? Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide for more tips on when to visit, how to get there, and must know info before your trip!
The Location
Kona Kai Resort is right in the heart of Key Largo, the northernmost key in the Florida Keys archipelago. If you’re planning a trip to the Keys, Key Largo is definitely the easiest Key to get to, just about one hour south of Miami!
There is only one major road in the Keys, US Highway 1. This road takes you all the way through the Keys, ending in Key West at the famous Mile Marker 0. This road runs through the Florida Straights, dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.
In the Keys, places are either on the ocean side (east) or the bayside (west). Kona Kai sits on the bayside, which means access to the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the most incredible sunsets you have ever seen!
The Rooms
Kona Kai Resort Key Largo has a total of 13 quaint, bungalow-style rooms on property. My favorite part? They are all named after a tropical fruit!! We stayed in the Pummelo room, which was just perfect for our 2 night stay! There’s also the Mango Room, the Pineapple Suite, the Guava Room and more! How cute is that?!
There are a variety of room types available at the resort. Some have full kitchens and dining areas, like the Starfruit and Passion Fruit Suites. Some have outdoor tables or patios right outside the doors, others open right to the resort’s courtyard.
There is something for everyone at this incredible resort, and the Kona Kai website does a wonderful job at detailing each room type here! No matter which room you choose, you can rest assured that your stay will be incredible!
You can also use the link below to check availability and book directly on TripAdvisor.com!
Resort Amenities
Pool Area
My favorite part about Kona Kai Key Largo is they make it so easy to not leave! On site, there’s a private pool and jacuzzi with lounge chairs and little tiki huts. The pool area is super cozy, and a lot of the time there was no one in it! We loved having the pool to ourselves and going for an early morning swim or a late night dip in the jacuzzi.
Beach Area
Just in front of the pool is a gorgeous beach area, equipped with lounge and Adirondack chairs, hammocks, a ping pong table, and cornhole boards! I highly recommend taking an afternoon nap in one of the hammocks. With the palm trees swaying above you and the sounds of the waves lapping against the dock, you’ll be asleep in an instant! This area is so charming and quiet, great for reading, working, or napping!
The resort also has a collection of water toys for you to use, free of charge! I highly recommend grabbing a paddleboard or kayak during your stay and getting out on the water. The calm waters of the bayside make it perfect for beginners, and you might even see manatees, dolphins, or the local crocodile! Don’t forget your life jacket (also provided!)
Garden & Gallery
If you love tropical plants, this resort is the one for you! There is an on site botanical garden with over 42 different species of palms and cycads, 26 tropical and subtropical fruit trees, more than 40 different varieties of bromeliads! Spend some time strolling through the gorgeous flora, like pink plumeria and zombi palms (my favs). There is even a greenhouse on site with some gorgeous orchids blooming!
In addition to the botanical garden, the resort also has an on site gallery! Located within the office area, you can experience a variety of local artists’ works, like James Ferrara and Beverly Borland. This is a great way to experience the local culture and mindset of the Keys. Escape to the underwater worlds without even having to put a bathing suit on! You might see some places you can visit yourself, like the Alligator Lighthouse in Islamorada.
Around Key Largo
As I mentioned, Kona Kai Resort is located right in the middle of Key Largo, so there is a ton to see and do in the area. Below I will provide a list of my favorite restaurants, bars, and activities around the hotel, and they are also included in the map below!
Restaurants
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen – A Local Favorite!
Sharkey’s Pub & Galley – Great for a quick breakfast before your dive!
Skipper’s Dockside – Nice outdoor patio with a marina view
Snappers Oceanfront – Great views and food with live music
Snook’s Restaurant – The most delicious place we ate and great for sunset!
Sol by the Sea – You can sit in the water here!
Things to Do
If you’re in the Keys, you need to get out on the water!! Whether that be snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, or jet skiing.. there is something for everyone in the Keys! Life is better on the water 🙂
If you’ve never been to Key Largo, my number one recommendation is to go snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. Pennekamp is the USA’s first undersea park and includes 70 nautical square miles of ocean! If it’s your first time visiting, I recommend checking out the Christ of the Abyss Statue, a nine-foot bronze statue of Jesus in about 25 feet of water. There are lots of snorkel tours that go here in Key Largo! It is an awesome thing to see underwater!
If snorkeling isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are tons of other fun activities in Key Largo to choose from.. You can go kayaking through the mangroves in the bayside or go sports fishing in the ocean. You can go on a jet ski tour or maybe a glass-bottom boat tour! There really is something for everyone in the Keys.
If you don’t want to plan the details of every excursion, I would be happy to help you plan! I also recommend using Viator.com to browse through activities and see the different options. Viator really has something for every style and budget and will make planning your trip to the Keys that much easier, in addition to referencing back to my Florida Keys Travel Guide! Check out the link below to get started!
Final Thoughts
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post! I hope I’ve convinced you that Kona Kai Resort Key Largo is the perfect place to stay for your Florida Keys vacation! With the incredible staff, the gorgeous greenery, and the amazing amenities, you won’t regret your time at this resort. I highly recommend staying at Kona Kai for a few days and then make your way down south to experience the rest of the Florida Keys!
This post was in partnership with Kona Kai Resort, but all opinions are my own. Thank you to Kona Kai for hosting me during my stay.
P.S. If you are planning a trip to the Florida Keys, don’t forget to check out my Key Largo to Key West Road Trip itinerary for more help!
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