Ciao Bella
GETAWAYS • The Keys
Before Isla Bella Beach Resort came on the scene in 2019, Marathon — the key floating just above the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, signaling Key West as only about an hour’s drive away — was mostly overlooked as an overnight destination. Recently, on my way back to Miami after a stay in Key West, I checked in and was happy to discover the perfect escapist buffer before returning to the mainland.
There’s really nothing else quite like Isla Bella in the Keys, although it comes from the same developer behind The Marker and Parrot Key in Key West, and Oceans Edge on Stock Island. It’s the expansiveness of the 24-acre, village-like grounds, and the white stucco buildings that feel more suited to Greece than the Keys that set it apart as a destination unto itself.
The rocky, mangrove-fringed shoreline opens up to a sandy beach with cushy blue-and-white-striped lounge chairs and umbrellas, while a pier and observation deck are designed specifically to take in sunset and sunrise views. The main pool, a form in overlapping concentric circles, feels as though it was made by raindrops, while four additional rectangular pools line the grounds to ensure every room is never more than a few steps from a cool plunge. There are also multiple restaurants, a marina, putting green, and a freestanding marketplace, spa, and gym.
With plenty of spacious one- and two-bedroom suites, as well as traditional guestrooms, each with ocean views and private outdoor space, it’s particularly comfortable for family vacations or extended stays.
Take this as an opportunity to explore the idyllic Bahia Honda State Park, just a few miles south, where remnants of the Historic Overseas Railroad extend above the cove at Calusa Beach. From the park, you can also embark on snorkel trips to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, a protected section of the Florida Straits coral reef — the third largest in the world — where preservation and restoration efforts are ongoing. Chances are, you’ll spy rainbow parrotfish, yellowtail snapper, damselfish, and maybe even a loggerhead sea turtle. On the drive back to Isla Bella, tuck into Lazy Days South for prime dockside dining and incredible sunset views, paired with peel-and-eat shrimp and frosty beers. –Shayne Benowitz
→ Isla Bella Beach Resort (Marathon) • 1 Knights Key Blvd, MM 47.