A couple walking down the beach with a pink sunset behind them.
Flickr/ Alexhutnik

10 Escapes for a Florida Honeymoon

For many American honeymooners, Florida is the ideal escape—it's not far from home, it's affordable, and at these choice properties, it can be impossibly romantic. Here are ten of the most serene and luxurious resorts Florida has to offer honeymooners.
Two pools lined by plants at the Marquesa Hotel in Florida.
Marquesa Hotel
Marquesa Hotel, Key West
Don't be fooled by the Marquesa's location in the historic center of Key West: This charming B&B is in a world of its own. The compound consists of four buildings, including an 1884 "Conch" house, a secluded inside garden, and two swimming pools. (tel. 800/869-4631 or 305/292-1919, www.marquesa.com)
Pink and blue sunset over white sand beaches.
Kona Kai Resort
Kona Kai Resort, Gallery & Botanic Garden, Key Largo
A haven for vacationing adults, Kona Kai features a private beach and stylized, modern rooms and suites amid a 2-acre property lined with native vegetation and fruit trees. The property is an ethnobotanic tropical botanical garden and guests are given a unique 90-minute complimentary tour that focuses on the relationship of plants and people. The tours and botanic garden visits are by appointment only and non-guests are recommended to donate $25. (tel. 800/365-7829 or 305/852-7200 www.konakairesort.com)
The lobby of the Gardens Hotel decorated with white and beige furniture.
Bob Miano, Miano TV
The Gardens Hotel, Key West
The Gardens Hotel is an exotic, lush, serene, and sultry escape from the frat-boy madness that ensues on nearby Duval Street. Amidst some of Florida’s oldest tropical gardens, this hotel has 17 deluxe suites and assured-yet-discreet service. The gardens are so respected they were featured in the best-selling book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. (tel. 800/526-2664 or 305/294-2661, www.gardenshotel.com)
Crystal clear green and blue waters of the Florida ocean washing up onto white sand.
WaterColor Inn
WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach
This David Rockwell-designed beachfront boutique hotel feels more like a private beach house. Guest rooms feature a pantry, a walk-in shower with views to the beach, and Adirondack chairs on the balcony. If you are looking for all of your amenities in one place, this is the place to be, especially now, as the resort expanded and upgraded its amenities significantly in 2022.  There are more than six pools, a fitness center, golf courses, a spa and water toys ranging kayaks to paddle-boards. (tel. 866/426-2656 or 850/534-5000, www.watercolorresort.com)
The silhouette of a palm tree with a bright pink sunset behind.
Flickr/ Roger4336
Turtle Beach Resort, Siesta Key
This intimate charmer by the bay began life as a traditional Old Florida fishing camp, but today it's one of the state's most romantic retreats. It's a tightly packed place, but high wooden fences surround each unit's private outdoor hot tub, and one-way-mirror walls let you lounge in bed while passersby see only reflections of themselves. (tel. 941/349-4554,www.turtlebeachresort.com)
A green pond surrounded by lush tropical plants.
Flickr/ I likE plants!
Sundy House, Delray Beach
With 11 suites surrounded by more than 5,000 species of exotic plants and flowers, gazebos, and flowing streams, Sundy House is a gorgeous getaway that's close enough to access the beach, but still hidden from the mood-ruining madness and conventionality of your typical tourist-class beach hotel. Each suite has a unique theme and includes either a balcony or patio for exquisite views of the gardens. (tel. 877/439-9601 or 561/272-5678, www.sundyhouse.com)
The silhouette of birds flying in front of an orange sunset.
Flickr/ andrijbulba
Island's End Resort, St. Pete Beach
Sitting right on Pass-a-Grille, where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay, this little all-cottage retreat is a great hideaway from the crowds of St. Pete Beach. You won't have an on-site restaurant, bar, or other such amenities, but you can step from your cottage right onto the beach. (tel. 727/360-5023, www.islandsend.com)
A landscape view of the turquoise, clear ocean.
Flickr/ fifth world art
The Moorings Village, Islamorada
A former coconut plantation, the Moorings features 18 different cottages on 18 stunning acres of beachfront and lush gardens studded with bougainvillea and coconut palms. More than 1,100 feet of white sand beaches belong to the resort along with a 25-meter heated lap pool. There's even daily yoga and tennis courts. (tel. 305/664-4708, themooringsvillage.com)
Beach view of the clear ocean and palm trees.
FlickR/ dsgray16
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key
Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this private, five-acre island is not only remote but also romantic—there are no TVs or telephones in the luxurious thatched cottages, but there are romantic outdoor showers. The hotel will also hook you up with scuba diving, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, and kiteboarding lessons. (tel. 800/343-8567 or 305/872-2524, www.littlepalmisland.com)
A postcard of the courtyard inside the 1925 Casa Marina hotel.
FlickrR/ Boston Public Library
Casa Marina, Jacksonville Beach
The words luxury and Jacksonville aren't as oxymoronic as they might seem to outsiders. At this 25-room hotel, the old world meets oceanfront luxury; each parlor suite is decorated to show the changing eras in the hotel's history. The doors opened to this Jacksonville landmark on June 6, 1925, and today, it is the only hotel from that area's golden era still standing. (tel. 904/270-0025, casamarinahotel.com)
advertisement