I'd love to hear about this palce from anyone who has been. Considering it for a 5th year annniversary. Thanks!

At their rates and much lower, you could go to the real Caribbean and have real Caribbean ambiance at some of the nicest resorts and real beaches. You could even fly to much of the Caribbean in the same time, or not much more, than the drive from Miami. My guess is that there is a private island mystique that appeals to some who particularly want the familiarity of being in the U.S. Hence the prices.

I haven't been, but I do have a number of friends who have been, and most have also been to various exclusive resorts throughout the Carribean. All of them have said that Little Palm beats all the others they've been to, particularly for the service, quality of food, and the general small quaint ambiance.

I can't imagine anyone staying at Little Palm grousing about the prices. Yes, it is outrageously expensive. Worth it? The ones I've talked with think so. But they don't go places based on saving money. It is clearly not for anyone looking for "cost value".

I haven't stayed there in a long time but yes, it is fabulous and worth every penny.

Very private, very exclusive service from non instrusive employees.

If I had the money I'd stay there again.

Fabulous!

xkenx, Little Palm Island doesn't need to try and be something it isn't. It is quite wonderful on its own.

thanks so much for the reeplys thus far. I';d like to hear more about the experience there- I have only heard about how wonderful it is without specifics. How far a drive is it from Miami? What's it like on the island? Food? rooms? Is it an AI (i hate the thought of an AI).

I'll stand by my earlier comments. The island consists of the cottages and a few walkways, a miniscule beach. You have to be off island to do anything, but there's not much of that except for Key West, not very close. Yes you can be pampered there, and good food, but you can have that at pretty much any Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton anywhere. Why go to a "tropical" destination and not get the ambiance, culture, beaches of the nicer Caribbean places? And there are any number of truly gourmet restaurants in the real Caribbean. Never mind the money. Some that come to mind are Four Seasons (Nevis), Little Dix Bay(Virgin Gorda), Cap Juluca (Anguilla), Curtain Bluff (Antigua), LaSamanna (St.Martin), Coral Reef Club and Sandy Lane (Barbados), Spice Island Inn (Grenada), Jamaica Inn (Jamaica).

I'm not familiar with all those other places you mention, xkenx. How many of them are limited to a total of 30 rooms -- or a maximum of 60 guests? And how many of them do not allow any guests under 16? The Four Seasons Nevis is NOTHING even remotely like Little Palm. For starters they have about 200 rooms (not 30) and include family groups and children. Are you seriously comparing the atmosphere of a rather rustic private island for 60 people similar to a grand resort for over 400?

The idea about having to leave the island to do anything means you really don't get the whole idea. I've never heard of anyone going there for a stay and leaving the island -- period. You're talking about something else than what the whole concept of the place is.

If you love grand and big resorts, then you are absolutely right. You probably would NOT appreciate Little Palm at all.

Little Palm is part of the Noble House hotel group. I stayed at another Noble House hotel in Key West (the Ocean Key) and they let us take a day trip to Little Palm. We had full use of everything -- i.e., we were a guest of the resort in all respects, but didn't spend the night.

I was amazed. I absolutely second the views of NeoPatrick. Little Palm has to be one of the most beautiful, romantic, unique, exclusive resorts I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. Yes it is obscenely expensive, but if you can swing it you won't be sorry. The setting is wonderful, the food is fantastic. You really feel like you are in the middle of the Pacific ocean thousands of miles from anywhere, but you are just a few minutes from the Overseas Highway. You can dine at your own private table in the sand on the beach in an amazing setting just feet from a calm, lapping, ocean. My wife and I had massages and lunch, then lounged by the pool and on the beach. We walked hand-in-hand around the small island, exploring the little nooks and crannies where you can sit and just relax in the shade under huge trees. We were shown one of the rooms and I really wish I had stayed there, although like I said the overnight rates are crazy high. But in my mind worth it if you can afford it and want the best.

The service of the staff was also reflective of the cost -- they couldn't do enough. One example: when we arrived the concierge explained some of the activities that were available to us (like snorkling, scuba, fishing, boat safaris for gators, birds and other animals, etc.), but said he was at our disposal for anything at all that we wanted. I jokingly said that I would like to go snow skiing (it was January). Without missing a beat, he said it could be arranged within a couple of hours, but that it would require an overnight stay at the ski resort. (He did tell me it would be expensive.) I honestly think he would have done it if I had really been staying there longer and wanted to do it.

There are few places in the caribbean or anywhere that accommodate 60 adults and no children under 16.

We have not stayed at Little Palm Island only because we love going to Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda. We looked into LPI, but decided on Biras Creek and have been back several times. Biras is adults only, 60 guests at a time, fabulous food, fabulous service and all cottages are luxury and on the ocean. The cottags are all private have breath taking views and include private outdoor showers. No cars, no roads however you do get your own bicycle and boston Whaler to use - no additional charge. All meals included, drinks are not. Not only is the resort itself wonderful, but the entire area is magical. The moment you get on the island you know it's special.

Resorts like this do exist, they are just few and far between.

If interested, just as a comparison www.biras.com

Hey when you're spending over $5,000 for a resort it just boils down to what you really want. I have yet to spend that kind of money anywhere and find it was not worth it. Once you reach a certain price point it is like another realm of vacationing and you never want to go back.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Since it seems like LPI is a several hour ride from Miami airport, it's probably not going to be the place for us for a 3 nights weekend. It could be, but not sure. Will have to run it by DH. Also thinking about Nevis now (i know, a long way for a short trip...) THANK YOU!!

emcash -- Don't drive from Miami, fly into Key West and either drive from there (it's like 45 minutes I recall) or have LPI pick you up. Out of the Key West airport it is a very easy, relaxing and beautiful drive. For a short 3 day weekend, Little Palm is a wonderful choice for a short, romantic anniversary trip. Some resort websites oversell their property with flashy pictures, but I can tell you from personal experience LPI's website doesn't even do it justice. Check it out: http://www.littlepalmisland.com

PS - I don't work for them, I just long to return.

Little Palm Island is a great place for a short romantic get away. We spent 3 nights there for my birthday a couple of years ago and I'd go again in a minute. It is unlike staying at a large resort. It is very private. True it doesn't have all the activities some of the larger resorts have but for romance it can't be beat. The rooms are excellent. The food is excellent. It will be an experience you won't forget.

for us to go to the key west airport means a connection at MIA. Still might be too long of a trip for that amount of time. Not sure-- will have to look at the flights. Thanks again for all the info!

Flying into Key West would still reduce your travel time substantially (and much more importantly, your travel stress) over driving from Miami, and also over flying into the Caribbean for just a 3-day trip.

The neat thing about travel, however, is if you are in the right mindset, it doesn't really matter where you go -- just go. Simply getting away with your significant other is therapy itself. So have a great time whatever you decide!!