Oasis in the Keys

An inside look at Playa Largo, the first new resort built in Key Largo in more than 20 years.

words by Shaun Tolson

You can learn a lot about the new Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo, Fla., by sitting poolside for 20 minutes. In that time, you’ll likely strike up a conversation with a frequent vacationer to the Keys who will tell you enthusiastically that the property is the first new-build hotel or resort in Key Largo in more than two decades. From that poolside vantage point, it’s also easy to watch guests skimming across the calm waters of Florida Bay on stand-up paddleboards or in kayaks, and it’s an ideal spot to observe various boat trips—from sunset cocktail cruises to Everglades National Park eco tours—setting off from and returning to the resort’s pier.

Playa Largo's setting is stunning.

The pool is spectacular, and the dining is world-class.

Yet the most revealing facet of the resort discloses itself not when you look around but when you close your eyes and listen. In a span of 20 minutes, the music playing from concealed speakers throughout the social areas, restaurants, bars, and around the temperature-controlled pool will fluctuate from recent Adele and Bruno Mars hits to folksy Ray LaMontagne songs, tropical steel drum arrangements, and ’80s rock ballads. To call the assemblage eclectic is a massive understatement, but it’s a good example of the Playa Largo’s commitment to offering something for everyone.

On the topic of the resort’s culinary offerings, diners with an affinity for exotic flavors will be lured to Las Olas, a ceviche bar where elaborate sushi rolls accented by truffle oil and foie gras are standout dishes. Those yearning for freshly caught seafood will want to snag a table at Sol by the Sea. Set on the edge of the bay, this casual Floridian eatery serves up line-caught whole fish, octopus a la plancha, and coconut curry black grouper. Dragon fruit mojitos are the restaurant bar’s most popular libation, but rum aficionados will appreciate its collection of “extra old” sugarcane-based spirits.

Playa Largo’s superlative dining experience is at La Marea, an upscale steakhouse. Named after the Spanish word for “tide,” the restaurant expertly incorporates indigenous ingredients and local flavors into otherwise traditional steakhouse fare. Hot popovers are served with a sweet and tangy key lime butter, and conch-stuffed olives add a touch of sweetness to the Bogart martini, an ode to the star of the 1948 classic Key Largo. The steaks and chops are excellent, as one might expect, and the freshness of the ahi tuna poke served from the raw bar reminds patrons of the excellent fishing opportunities just off shore.

Playa Largo offers guests sophisticated accommodations and a variety of dining options.

The resort offers 144 guest rooms and suites, ranging from $249 to $449 per night, depending on the season. Ten larger (1,340 square feet) bungalows range from $699 to $1,200, and a three-bedroom beach house with 4,950 square feet runs from $2,499 to $4,500 per night. The guest rooms are comfortably appointed and offer a relaxing space to return to after a day on the water, at the beach, or by the pool. In truth, that’s all they need to be, as Playa Largo’s location and varied outdoor amenities keep guests outside long after the sun sets.