Name: Playa Largo Resort & Spa
Address: 97450 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, 33037, USA
Telephone: 305-853-1001
Price range: $$

Fodor's Expert Review

This is a destination resort in every sense. Multiple restaurants, recreational activities galore, delightful accommodations, and high-tech gadgetry that will have you feeling like you’re living in an episode of The Jetsons.

You Should Know The daily resort fee is $39 but it includes bottled water in your room each day and other useful amenities (like beach chairs and umbrellas).

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Room

So many choices, and all have that beach house vibe. Rooms offer thoughtful touches like a smart TV and an Illy coffee maker (best room coffee ever!) and furniture that pulls double duty, like a movable table. Bedding and bathrobes are ultra comfy and the bedside iPad gives you access to all things Playa Largo, including spa and dinner reservations.

You Should Know The flooring amplifies noise; you'll wonder what the heck the room above you is doing. Moving furniture? Having a hoe-down? Ask for an upper floor. There's also a large gap under the door of connecting rooms. Throw down a towel.

Bathroom

Walk in rain showers, nice tubs, shimmering backsplash, large above-counter sinks, and luxurious toiletries by Bulgari.

You Should Know The wall that separates the bathroom from the living area/bedroom has decorative, frosted windows so your every move is highlighted, like a James Bond dancing girl, silhouetted on the big screen.

Lobby

Hello, free pineapple mojito and free valet parking! And wow, the lobby is phenomenal. Vaulted, tray ceilings, hanging silver lanterns, a compass rose water feature, lots of textures and patterns, and you’ll love the hanging chairs. Greeters, called "scouts" get you checked in via iPad and escort you to your room.

Pool

You'll want to post this photo on every social media account you have. Infinity style, overlooking the water, an esthetically pleasing archway over the entire width of the pool, lots of amazingly comfortable loungers, matching umbrellas, cabanas, piped-in music, and a pool bar. Whew! And wait until they light up the fire pits at sunset.

Tip The Sand Bar has servers to bring you food and drink poolside.

Spa

It all begins with mint towels, iced herbal tea, and spicy dark chocolate in the relaxation room. We love you, Ocean Spa. Treatments rooms are inspired by the ocean in colors and textures, and when your service is over, they’ll bring you back to reality with the sound of a conch shell.

Tip Before you leave, bring your totally relaxed self to the Body Bar and create a custom scrub to take home.

Gym

New resorts have advantages, including creating a large fitness center that overlooks their amazing pool and sunset terrace. Help yourself to top-of-the-line equipment, or ask for a trainer.

Dining

You've got options! La Marea is Key Largo’s first steakhouse and where you’ll find the breakfast buffet. Sol by the Sea is your open-air lunch or dinner option with bay views and a Caribbean-inspired menu. Locals bring guests here to show off the Florida Keys ambiance! And, if you like ceviche, right off the lobby is Las Olas. This glitzy venue opens at 5:30 p.m. and the ceviche is crazy good.

Drinking

The Sand Bar is near the pool and beach and serves specialty drinks like SUNgria and Jalapeno Pineapple Margaritas. Sol by the Sea has a rum bar and plenty of bar stools overlooking the bay. Soak in those views! For impressive craft cocktails, it's Las Olas all the way. You have to see (and taste) to believe.

Grounds

Explore every inch you can; you will discover alcoves, terraces, contemporary seating, and beautiful views. Lounge on 745’ of manmade beach with soft sand imported from Florida’s west coast. Picturesque concrete steps lead into the bay. Like sports? Try tennis, basketball, volleyball, or bocce ball.

You Should Know Beach shoes are recommended if you go in the water. Rocks are no fun to step on.

Activities

Caribbean Watersports is on the edge of the property, below Sol by the Sea. With the Florida Bay as your playground, you can kayak, paddleboard, sail, parasail, snorkel, take an eco-tour, and much more. You’ll definitely want to get wet and they'll help you do it.

You Should Know These are all extra charges, even the snorkel gear.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

Drive your own car, call an Uber or taxi, or use one of the bicycles on site to go exploring. US1 is such a busy road that walking alongside is not recommended. Also, be careful when driving out of the resort, you can only turn right.

Restaurants

The Fish House (7-minute drive) isn’t on the water but their fresher-than-fresh seafood makes up for it--and their key lime pie is the best around. Ballyhoo’s (2-minute drive) is a casual, local favorite. Try Harry’s Fish Sandwich with cheese and grilled onions. Buzzard’s Roost (13-minute drive) is off-the-beaten-path with indoor and patio seating. They have good chili, great smoked fish dip, and excellent fish dishes.

Bars

Key Largo’s most famous bar is the Caribbean Club (9-minute drive). It’s a cash-only dive with concrete floors and no food, but it has history. Skipper’s Dockside (5-minute drive) is a sports fan’s dream with a wall of TVs (the food is really good, too). Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill (9-minute drive) is the happening place to be day or night. One side is a sports bar, the other a large Tiki on the water with live music; a restaurant sits in the middle.