Little Palm Island Resort & Spa - A Noble House Resort

Our stay at Little Palm Island was a very mixed experience. Many elements were fantastic but parts of the service experience fell far short of expectations for a luxury resort: Positives: - Location and surroundings are incredible - Food was high-quality, local and delicious (expect resort prices) - Housekeeping staff were excellent at maintaining our suite and grounds - Spa and Gym were well-equipped and not busy (mid-week) Negative: Several times service lacked follow-up. One small example: Upon arrival and unpacking we asked for extra hangers two times (over the course of 4+ hours). No one ever delivered them or told us they wouldn't be delivered - it was just left hanging. Another small example of lack of follow-up happened when we tried to reserve a custom dining experience (Chef's table) both at the front desk & at the dining room. No one ever got back to us telling us if it was reserved or not. Negative: The dining reservation system was never explained leaving us shut out of the best tables. A general reservation (two people at time X:XX) doesn't actually reserve a table. On the first two nights we had reservations and when showing up the best tables had "Reserved" signs but we were seated elsewhere. On the last day, I tried to make a reservation directly with the lunch hostess for that evening. She told us that tables on the beach were strictly "first come, first served". We arrived to dinner relatively early because of this policy yet when arriving the best beach tables were unoccupied and had "RESERVED" signs. Only then did the wait staff explain that they had recently implemented a new policy that if you request a specific table (as opposed to making a general dinner reservation) then you can apparently reserve that table.

One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at and I’ve been to quite a few. An incredible tiny private tiny island in the Florida Keys. Be warned it’s very expensive but it’s also paradise! Book directly with hotel for best deal. We stayed for 2 nights but I think 3/4 would have been ideal.

We just got back from 2 nights at Little Palm Island. It was a very lovely and wonderful experience. If you are reading this you probably already know it is very, very expensive - but as my husband said, even though our visit cost a ton, he isn't sure how they are making any money because of the number of resources (both material and human) required to make the place function and - because everything little thing is absolutely perfect. Your visit starts at the welcome center on the mainland where you pull up and they take care of your car and your bags and offer you a rum drink. The boat service to the island leaves at the bottom of every hour (and from the island to the mainland leaves at the top of the hour). We got on one of 3 of their very nice boats and set off across the bay to the island - an approximately 15 minute ride. When you arrive someone meets you at the dock and gives you a tour and takes you to your bungalow while someone else deals with your luggage. Our bungalow was amazing - we had a bed that looked over the bay, a living room, 2 full baths, a dressing room, an outdoor shower/hammered copper tub, an outdoor lounger/daybed and a table for two. We also had a private beach area with an outdoor fire pit with chairs and loungers. The fire pit looked like coal with propane running to it - and when we came home every evening it was lit. The linens and towels and toiletries were all top notch and the room also had a very well stocked bar with complimentary wine and a wide variety of hard liquor and a mini fridge with sodas, water and mixers. There was also a welcome bottle of champagne and treats from Cupcake Sushi in Key West. The pool is beautiful as is the exercise room. Bring work out clothes to use the equipment if you like to get a bit of exercise on vacation as there is no way to get your steps walking around the island. We had fabulous meals in the dining room and the food is very clean and fresh and the service was flawless. We splurged (at this point, what's another $160) and got the seafood tower as an appetizer both nights (we were a party of 4) and it was outstanding. I am not sure I will ever be able to justify the price of going back but the experience was everything you could possibly expect it to be and if you have the dough, I would definitely put in on your must do list. It was a magical experience from beginning to end. We even met a couple of very cute Key Deer which was my husband's favorite part of the experience. I would give it the highest rating possible on any scale, 5 stars is not enough.