Isla Bella water

Isla Bella Resort & Spa in Marathon Florida

Get Away From Everything in The Florida Keys

While wintertime was in full swing in Alabama, my best friend, since age 3, and I decided to plan a vacation in the sunshine for January. Nothing beats the post-holiday blues like planning a trip to somewhere tropical! As we got closer and closer, our vacation for four suddenly turned into a vacation for eight. As it turns out, everyone needed a little warmth.

We flew into Miami early on a direct American Airlines flight from Birmingham, landed, and quickly made our way to the rental cars. Marathon Key is about 1 hour 40 minutes from the Miami airport, and it’s a fun drive! Key Largo was the perfect spot to stop and grab lunch and a fruity drink along the way!

As you drive into Isla Bella, you find yourself going down a magical palm tree-lined driveway, and quickly you’re given the feeling that you are leaving it all behind. The front desk check-in service is terrific…many glasses of champagne, a tour of the property, and they even offered to take a photo of our group in front of the beautiful beach.

The stark white buildings and modern feel made for a spotless and welcoming oceanfront resort. With over a mile of beach, every room at Isla Bella is Ocean view. The entire resort sits on 24 acres of white sand and gorgeous blue ocean.

Isla Bella also has a beachfront bar, 5 pools, a delicious on-site restaurant, a bar, and a marina. Everything you need is there; there’s no reason to leave!

I particularly liked that the marina had quick bites for meals if we didn’t feel like sitting down for a long meal. The marina also had candy and ice cream. My kids were not with me, but it was a place I know our entire family would love! It is a resort both for families, girls’ trips, and couples’ trips.  

My two most memorable times from this vacation were: first, chartering a part boat for half a day, complete with a slide for all 8 of us to enjoy cocktails and cruise around the keys (this is a must-do)! Second, lying around with my husband under the palm trees for an afternoon. When you are ready to plan your trip to the Florida Keys, contact me for more information.

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