Travel Far Paradise Found

Paradise Found

Bungalows Key Largo is a close-tohome escape that feels world’s away

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

The Florida Keys are having a moment. Maybe it's the island atmosphere and stunning water or the ease of getting there in the face of passport renewal delays and ever-changing travel restrictions for farther-flung destinations. Regardless, a belated celebration for my mom’s birthday made a visit to the adults-only, all-inclusive Bungalows Key Largo the perfect excuse for a mother-daughter getaway. A scenic hour-long drive from the Miami airport brought us to the resort, tucked behind an unassuming gate on Florida’s northernmost Key. We checked in, and a uniformed porter whisked us away in a cute golf cart, trimmed in the resort’s signature teal and white stripes. Each of the 135 rooms are free-standing miniresidences, and our bungalow made a charming impression with its bougainvillea-perfumed private veranda and Adirondack chairs. The breezy coastal design marries old Florida elements with modern conveniences. Ours featured a pillowtopped king bed, indoor sitting area and a private outdoor garden with a shower and deep kiddie-pool-sized soaking tub. Each room includes a pair of custom turquoise bicycles. Though the property is easily navigated on foot, the bikes were a fun way to explore. Eager to soak up as much sun-induced vitamin D as possible during our three days, we found a spot on the small sand beach by the main pool. The resort has 1,000 feet of shoreline, but regular visitors to the Florida Keys know that the coastline is rocky. No matter: There are steps into the warm, clear waters, perfect for cooling off.

We’d heard that the best vantage point for the most spectacular sunset viewing was aboard the resort’s 55foot catamaran, Lady B. We joined a handful of other guests as a captain and two skippers hoisted the sails. As we sipped glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and snacked on tacos, we sailed around the crystalline waters, relishing the salt-scented breeze. It felt like nature knew what we were after because as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky exploded

The resort gets its name from the 135 free-standing bungalows. Hemingway's Bar is the best spot for a craft cocktail, made by eager-to-please mixologists. Above: The author (right) with her mom, Debra, pause for a wind-blown photo on the resort's catamaran. Left: Spectacular sunsets from the pool deck are a nightly highlight at this Key Largo resort.

NEED TO KNOW

Fee-ling good: Inclusive rates vary by season and start at $1,189 per night, based on double occupancy. Here’s a tip: The resort is inclusive, but the staff still works for tips. So expect to sign a bill for gratuity after every meal, drink or excursion. It can feel like a nuisance, but the level of service is elevated from a typical all-inclusive experience. Checking in, checking out: If your flight schedule means you’ll be arriving early or departing late, you can organize access to the resort’s amenities for an additional $300 fee.

in an ever-changing array of yellow, pink, orange, red and violet. Our charmed evening was confirmed as our captain pointed out what looked like a star next to the moon. It is the same rare phenomenon referenced in the Grateful Dead song “Terrapin Station,” which says, “The spiral light of Venus...from the northwest corner of a brand-new crescent moon.” We felt lucky to see it firsthand.

The undisputed highlight of the resort’s dining scene is Bogie and Bacall’s, inspired by the 1948 film Key Largo. We started with craft cocktails at the Hemingway Bar (my Guavalajara was made with silver tequila, Ancho Reyes chili liqueur and guava puree) before settling in for a multi-course, a la carte fine dining experience that included bone marrow with wild mushrooms, impossibly rich French onion soup, petite filet mignon au poivre and an elevated interpretation of a classic Key lime pie.

Longing for a Caribbean destination without the hassles of international travel might have been what drew us here initially, but we soon realized the truth: Bungalows Key Largo is a worthy destination in its own right. n

BUNGALOWS KEY LARGO

866.801.0195 bungalowskeylargo.com @bungalowskeylargo

Take Stock

Above: Drawbar, The Bellyard's stylish lobby bar and eatery, invites guests to settle in. Above: The Bellyard anchors The Interlock, a new mixed-use development at the corner of 14th Street and Howell Mill. Below: Cooks & Soldiers' Basque cheesecake is a not-too-sweet masterpiece. PLAN YOUR VISIT

The Bellyard at The Interlock 404.806.8333 bellyardhotel.com @bellyardhotel

Cooks & Soldiers 404.996.2623 cooksandsoldiers.com @cooksatl

Puttshack 404.738.7888 puttshack.com @puttshack

St. Germain Bakery 404.825.3850 stgermainatl.com @stgermainbakery

Midtown’s Bellyard Hotel offers everything you need for a staycation, all without moving your car

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

" We need to plan a girls’ night out,” said the text from my newly acquired

“bonus” sister (my mom got married last year) who lives north of town.

Instead of a brief catch-up over dinner, I decided to plan a staycation at the stylish Bellyard Hotel. Opened this summer, the 161-room, Marriottmanaged hotel (as part of their

Tribute Portfolio) is the centerpiece of The Interlock development at the corner of 14th Street and Howell

Mill in Midtown. Once we valet parked my car, everything we wanted to do was just a few steps away. We settled into our room overlooking the Atlanta skyline and had fun picking out familiar buildings, from Buckhead’s towers to downtown’s state capitol building and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After a shower upon arrival using the super-fragrant Grown Alchemist bath amenities, I felt instantly refreshed.

We struck out to explore, marveling at how the hotel’s clever design manages to walk the line between industrial and cozy. Case in point: the main floor features white oak flooring, plush sofas, woven rugs and towering industrial-style ceilings. It’s hard to miss the lobby’s life-sized bull sculpture, a clever nod to the hotel’s name and the area’s history with nearby stockyards. We discovered a courtyard, complete with leafy trees, inviting seating areas and a colorful, two-story mural painted by local artist Lacey Longino.

With happy hour upon us, we migrated over to Drawbar, the centerpiece of the boutique hotel’s lobby. The all-day eatery-turned-lounge was bustling with a mix of our fellow hotel guests, local revelers and a postworkday office set. We snagged seats at the bar and ordered pictureperfect cocktails and $4 frites with “fat boy” sauce, a heady mixture of ketchup, pickle relish, mayo and, the piece de resistance: bacon fat. Next time, I’ll plan to enjoy the breeze on the outdoor terrace overlooking 14th Street, adorned with a host of verdant plants and comfy seating.

Next, we walked across the street for dinner at Cooks & Soldiers, where chef John Castellucci, who owns the restaurant along with his siblings, is newly back at the helm of the kitchen. He artfully navigates the cuisine of the Basque region of Spain and France with a menu of sharable small plates. Our meal included a crudo of translucent yellowtail, accented with mild Guindilla peppers, bright radish and crisp fennel, and sourdough toast smothered with black truffle goat cheese creme fraiche and local mushrooms.

After dinner, we made our way back to The Interlock for a reservation at Puttshack, the tech-infused indoor mini-golf experience. Instead of the manual scorekeeping of yesteryear, our putters and balls came with sensors, so the system kept track of each time we hit our ball. We played through one of the location’s three courses, complete with moving hazards and flashing neon lights, to indulge in a little friendly competition for the highest score.

Instead of lingering over the drinks and snacks we saw other guests enjoying, we headed back to our seventh-floor room for a little latenight TV on the big screen before drifting off. My sister is a busy mom, so she was extra-grateful for the restful sleep, partially made possible by black-out shades to block the skyline’s nighttime brightness.

The next morning, sustenance at the artisan St. Germain Bakery was just an elevator ride away. Fueled by strong lattes and flaky croissants, we hopped in the car to head back to our respective houses, marveling at how we’d felt right at home during our whole stay. n

Putt putt gets a high-tech upgrade at Puttshack. Rooms at The Bellyard are just the right blend of industrial-chic and cozy.