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.

Similar Posts

  • Quebec

    Quebec Old Quebec is the perfect place for you if you want to get a taste of Europe without flying across the pond. This June, we crossed the border with our 3 children in tow to experience Old Quebec, and what a wonderful surprise for our family. French is the most widely used language in Quebec,…

  • |

    Top Resorts in the Southeast

    Are you looking for a getaway that is a little closer to home? The Southeast has many resorts that will make your trip memorable. You don’t have to fly across the globe to have a fantastic trip. Travel Modern is a travel agency in Mountain Brook, Alabama and we love helping our clients plan fabulous…

  • Montage Palmetto Bluff

    Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC The Montage Palmetto Bluff recently received its Forbes 5- star rating and is located just outside of Savannah, it’s driving distance from so most cities in the Southeast.  The Rogers family took off for a long Labor Day weekend to see what all the fuss is about! We are…

  • Jackson Hole

    Jackson Hole Summer out west. Does it get any better for an Alabamian? Warm, little to no humidity, extra hours of sunlight. I’d say that’s as good as it gets. Our family visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming this summer as first timers. First timers out west in the summer and first timers to Jackson Hole. What…

  • How To Beat Jet Lag

    Jet lag is the worst. One minute you’re excited for your trip, and the next you’re feeling groggy, sluggish, and totally out of it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Dr. Mary Halsey Maddox, a board-certified sleep doctor, breaks down what jet lag actually is, why it messes with you, and how to…