[For more on our vacation, click here.] 


Kona Kai - The Movie(s)!

August 2007: You may not realize it, but all the photos on our website have been taken by staff or guests of the hotel. We have never hired a professional photographer to light scenes and take shots because we want you to see on the internet what you will see when you arrive and not what you would see as the result of a high quality photo shoot. We regularly post photos on the left hand side of this page, our Kona Kai blog. Over the years, as the popularity of digital cameras has grown, the number of photos guests send us has also grown, so we try and pick a representative cross section to post to our Latest Photo Gallery. Today, however, many of you ask for "movies," thus some of the links posted here during the last year.

Thanks to the internet, you can now have many more movies - uncensored by us. One of the most popular sites for these movies is, you guessed it, "You Tube." Here is a link to a video put up by a guest who shows you what you will see as you walk down the short path to our waterfront, something so many of you ask about via e-mail or the phone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl3rup5_zFE. 

Of course, searching “You Tube,” will bring you more Kona Kai videos; including a few of our Assistant General Manager, Tracey, feeding the tarpon at Robbie's and diving the local reefs. Other videos will show you a road trip all the way to Key West; fishing off our sunset pier; laying around our "cool," uncrowded, pool and much, much more. Hopefully they will always accurately reflect Kona Kai Resort & Gallery, as well as the Florida Keys; and, hopefully they will further entice you to decide to spend your Florida Keys vacation with us here at Kona Kai Resort. Please let us know otherwise.  

If you're a fan of The Florida Keys and James Michener. . . .

August 2007: Then you might want to pick up a copy of this, never before published, short novel by Michener. Matecumbe features many of the hallmarks of Michener's best work, including detailed descriptions of place. However, the plot is much more intimate than that found in most of his large-scale, epic novels. Focusing on the parallel lives of a woman and her mother, both divorced, Michener spent his creative energy on character development and allegorical storytelling. Random House, his publisher, wasn't pleased, and wanted the mega-best-selling author to concentrate on producing "heavyweight" books like Hawaii and Centennial.  So, Matecumbe sat in a drawer until, eventually, Michener gifted it, including the copyright, to Keys local, Joe Avenick, his friend and former ghostwriter. Avenick played a key role in the research and writing of Chesapeake and introduced Michener to Melissa DeMaio, a local Keys businesswoman. Biographers and critics agree that Michener's personality and his characters in Matecumbe were both affected by his relationship with DeMaio. As perhaps his most encompassing autobiographical novel, Matecumbe provides what may be tantalizing glimpses into Michener's life. The publication of Matecumbe, in this, the centennial year, of the author's birth, is a boon for both Michener and Florida Keys fans.  We have copies here at the front desk of Kona Kai, should you be staying with us or simply passing by.

Bobbi Cook - Kona Kai’s new Reservations Manager:

August 2007: Please welcome Ms. Bobbi Cook to the Kona Kai staff. Bobbi comes to us from the other side of paradise: Greene, Maine. Greene is known for the record amounts of snow it receives each winter; we’ll have to wait a bit to see if Bobbi misses those Maine snowfalls. With degree's in environmental sciences and teaching, Bobbi hopes to pursue yet another degree in Oceanography here in Florida.

Bobbi discovered The Keys a few years ago at the urging of her best friends who came down to paradise seven years ago and have never left. Like most, Bobbi fell in love, first with The Keys, next with Richard and, most recently, with Kona Kai. Bobbi decided to make The Keys her home in early 2007 and joined the Kona Kai staff in May. In her free time she likes to go fishing with her boyfriend, a backcountry guide, who fishes out of World Wide Sportsman; you can be sure he will be high on Bobbi’s recommendation list.

Beginning this September, Bobbi will be helping you with your reservation requests and welcoming you upon check-in, along with Assistant General Manager Tracey Weaver, as well as Ronnie and I. Please welcome Bobbi and please 'cut her some slack,' because it takes a while to get the hang of the reservation desk.

We’re going to miss her . . .
and we know many of you will too.

July 28, 2007: Moose was with us here at Kona Kai for well over a decade, barking her welcome and keeping you company on the beach. She passed away on July 28th, after having been ill for the last year. Having come from a local animal shelter, Moose led a charmed life here at Kona Kai and was a very happy and friendly dog, who gave so many much joy and much love to us and many of our guests. When we traveled, Moose always traveled with us; thus, she saw much of the world. Kona Kai won’t be less special without her, but it sure will be a bit lonely at times.

Hurricane Season – It arrives every year:

June 2007: You are now undoubtedly, once again, hearing the hurricane predictions and forecasts through the news media. Of course, those of use who live in South Florida are accustomed to all the ‘noise and hullabaloo.’ However, if you’re planning your vacation, you might have a question or two.

First, know that on June 1st our “Hurricane Cancellation policy” will go into effect. That policy is, simply, “from June 1st through October 31st, once a NOAA Hurricane Warning is put into effect for Key Largo, you can postpone or cancel your vacation at Kona Kai with absolutely no fees or penalties. *

Monroe county evacuation plans are carefully thought-out and any threatening hurricane puts those plans into action to assure your safety; hotels are notified by EMS in advance of any approaching storm. Over the years very few folks have had to leave Kona Kai due to hurricane threats, but when it is necessary we will make sure you are safely on your way long before any hurricane makes landfall in Key Largo.

Most importantly, don’t let all the media hype keep you from enjoying our warm sunny days and wonderful summer sunsets. Remember, the media loves hurricane predictions, but the fact is that, on average, less than one storm a year becomes a serious threat to the Florida Keys.
* [This is the only exception to our 2007 cancellation policy. You must confirm any cancellation with our reservation desk and receive a cancellation number.]

“20 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE THEY DIE. . . .” May 2007: While Kona Kai Resort is not one of those places (although some of our guests say it should be), FLORIDA’S EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK is listed as one of those 20 places; along with Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands, the Galapagos Islands, Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, and Indonesia’s Borneo rain forest and Coral Triangle.

According to the article, Conde Nast’s 20 threatened treasures are threatened by climate change, careless development, pollution, or neglect and all 20 are at risk of disappearing in our lifetime. Florida’s Everglades are “the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States” according to the article and are threatened by “Florida’s development boom which continues to pave over and deny the Everglades its lifeblood – water.” The article points out that while Congress passed a Comprehensive Restoration Plan in 2000, many of the funds have yet to materialize and political and scientific squabbles are also stalling recovery.

Conde Nast suggests the best time to visit the Everglades is November to mid-May and the recommended places to stay are Everglades City’s Ivey House or Key Largo’s Kona Kai Resort, which they write, “enchants.” 

To see all of Everglades National Park, stay with us and first take our daily guided Everglades tour and watch the sun set over the mangrove Everglades islands. Then, on another afternoon we’ll send you to the best of the land based Everglades sites. On a third day we’ll send you on a snorkel trip into another threatened natural wonder, Pennekamp National Marine Sanctuary, America’s only living coral reef.  Give us a few more days and we’ll send you to two talked about manmade sites – Key West and South Beach – so plan a week and you won’t regret it!      

However, if all this sounds like a bit too much for your next vacation, try out our other recommended vacation schedule, a “far niente vacation,” discussed below.      

IL DOLCE FAR NIENTE!
April 2007:  Those of you who know Kona Kai Resort know Ronnie and I sometimes escape the resort for our other favorite place, the Cote d’Azur.  We don’t go for the beaches, but for the food and a bit of “il dolce far niente” … the sweetness of doing nothing! We just sit back and let life happen when we’re vacationing over there and we can tell you, it is a wonderful, relaxing and rejuvenating  experience; one that we had almost all but forgotten.

In the mid 1800 and early 1900’s  far niente  and dolce far niente was a favorite title used by impressionist artists fond of painting all sorts of people relaxing, or literally, “doing nothing.”  The painting here is one done exactly 100 years ago by American artist, John Singer Sargent and is currently part of Brooklyn Museum exhibit, – “ Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism” which will travel to Sarasota this summer.

Il Dolce far niente is an art form not only for impressionist painters but also for those who vacation for relaxation and rejuvenation. It takes time, the right location, patience and practice; but, once learned, it is a most incredible means of vacationing. Many of our returning guests come to Kona Kai because it is the perfect place for a far niente vacation.

So come to Kona Kai and we'll help you r ediscover the joy of doing nothing. In a world filled with so much to do, what’s wrong with scheduling a week or two doing absolutely nothing?  And, while doing nothing might take a little planning, all you need do is make your reservation – we’ll take care of the rest. So, imagine doing nothing  - imagine Kona Kai, where reservations are not only suggested – they’re cherished!

[For more on a doing nothing vacation, click here.] 

A Million Miles from Civilization?
March 25 , 2007: Every year one or two major magazines do a write-up on the Florida Keys and oftentimes Kona Kai Resort & Gallery is one of the featured places to stay. Over the years Kona Kai has had more write-ups than any other hotel of it's size.  Quite a compliment and quite a recommendation.  This year Florida Travel and Life had something nice to say in March and now in it's April edition, Coastal Living Magazine selected three places to recommend, Kona Kai Resort being one of them - and only one that is adults only - one of the many reasons that when staying at Kona Kai Resort you will feel like you are a million miles from civilization.  Here's what Coastal Living had to say:

    "As the highway jumps from Florida's mainland to the string of islands known as "the Keys," travelers immediately sense a difference. Giant red-and-white dive flags signal Key Largo's place as the sport-diving capital of the world. Souvenir shops peddle shells, coconuts, and kitschy nautical collectibles. And funky (not in a good way) motels line both sides of the thoroughfare. Rest assured that amid this clatter of sensory overload, oases do exist. You just have to know where to find them.

    At mile marker 97.8, a canopy of trees envelops the oval sign marking the entrance to Kona Kai Resort and Gallery. This green welcome mat hints at what's ahead: a lush, 2-acre tropical garden with palms, fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and even an orchid house. All of this foliage creates an intimate setting for the resorts 11 guest rooms and suites. Bright and spacious, the accommodations feature spalike decor—ceramic tile floors, light-wood furniture, original artwork, and, in several rooms, oversize showers with glass-block walls. But the appeal of Kona Kai extends beyond its walls and gardens to the small details that indulge guests' every whim. Parched? Grab a bottle of water and a mango from the poolside refrigerator. Feeling up for adventure? Take a spin in one of the kayaks or paddleboats tied up at the dock. Pining for culture? Tour the resorts New York–quality art gallery. The sunsets are complimentary, too. When the sun begins to edge toward the horizon, guests make their way to the beach and pier for the nightly Keys ritual. As orange hues spread across the sky and sea, tranquil, tropical Kona Kai seems a million miles from civilization."

    Here's a link should you want to see the other places they recommend:
http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/lodginganddining
/article/0,14587,1594163,00.html



Key Largo gets its' own Whaling Wall: See it Live, Now!
February 12, 2007: Marine life artist Wyland, who has painted 94 huge murals around the world to promote ocean conservation, today completed what he says is his final U.S. wall painting; this one in the Florida Keys. A panoramic 7,500-square-foot representation of the living coral reef that rests off the Keys, the mural wraps around a four-story, four-sided building in the median of the Overseas Highway that bisects Key Largo, just a over a mile north of Kona Kai Resort & Gallery. "It's the gateway to the Florida Keys," says Wyland. "The idea is to welcome people with a depiction of the sun, taking them above and below the surface to see the tremendous abundance of marine life and color." Wyland, who began painting the murals dubbed "Whaling Walls" in 1981, intends to paint his last mural, projected to be more than two miles long, in Beijing prior to the 2008 summer Olympics.

A part-time Keys resident, Wyland draws inspiration for his portrayals of marine life from diving the islands' colorful reef - North America's only living contiguous barrier coral reef. Wyland has spent more than twenty-five years using his art to increase awareness about the need to preserve and protect the marine environment.

Here's a link to the Wyland Foundation site where you can a time lapse video of the 12 day mural painting project and more:
http://live1.truelook.com/skyicam/unit2/.

Why Key Largo? What is it about Key Largo that makes so many come back?
February 1st, 2007: For those who are regulars here at Kona Kai, you know we offer a very special and unique respite from the crazy, crowded, non-stop world most of us live in. Kona Kai means tranquility, serenity, beauty, quality, quirkiness, and more. For those of who you who've returned over and over again, Key Largo and Kona Kai is already your refuge from your other world(s); Kona Kai is where you return to relax and rejuvenate.

But, if you’ve never been to Kona Kai Resort & Gallery; to Key Largo; or to the Florida Keys, you might first want to know why you should stay in Key Largo. Of course, you should call and talk with one of our knowledgeable front desk staff, Tracey or Cris, who know why Key Largo is so special and why Key Largo and Kona Kai make the perfect combination relaxation or for exploring all of South Florida. Howevver, to give you a quick preview of why Key Largo, you can start right now by clicking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbIO2NYnTu8.

After you explore the link, give Cris or Tracey a call (1-800-365-7829) to discuss Key Largo, South Florida, and Kona Kai. We take great pride in our knowledgeable, personalized service. Our goal is to make sure your visit to South Florida and The Florida Keys becomes your perfect vacation!

WATCH THE VIDEO:ABC's Good Morning America discovers the beauty of Key Largo!
January 7th 2007 – This morning, ABC’s Good Morning America did a short travel feature on the wonders of Key Largo.  If you were ever wondering why you need to spend a week in Key Largo, then perhaps this piece might have the answers to your questions.

Yes, Ronnie and I are featured in the video. Yet, if you’re [planning on] coming to the Florida Keys, clearly Key Largo is the place to choose for a relaxing and beautiful time. Furthermore, we believe Kona Kai is the place to stay - if you’re looking for quiet comfort. GMA Weekend host Bill Weir said of Key Largo during his in-studio introduction: “Though it's just an hour away from Miami, visitors say it feels like a world away….”

We agree with Bill's assessment and we think you will too. We’re working on getting this clip right here on our website, but until we do: (if you have high speed broadband), click http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/story?id=2775714 and watch the piece on ABC’s GMA site. Then call us, we’ll help you determine if Key Largo and Kona Kai Resort is the right place for your next vacation.

Not Only for NASCAR Fans
July 2006:Like the ad says – there’s no better place to shut down and relax than Key Largo. And race fan or not, people who have stayed with us know that Kona Kai is one of the best places to “shift into neutral and coast.” So, if you’ve got your race tickets but not your place to stay, give us a call. We still have a few choice availabilities for before, during, and after this year's end of season challenge. And remember, you don't need to wait for the NASCAR race because here at Kona Kai you can “shift into neutral and coast” 365 days of the year.

Oh Bismarckia . . .
July 2006:In preparation for summer weather, our Florida Keys Electric Cooperative checks all power lines in advance to make sure that during a windstorm trees are not a potential threat to power lines. It’s the smart way to make sure the power remains on during and after a storm. FKEC’s advance planning has enabled us to almost always have power when other areas of South Florida were without electricity. This year, in an effort of co-operation, Kona Kai worked with FKEC to remove the centerpiece of our roadway landscaping which was getting too tall. Nice thing is, rather than cut down the beautiful Bismarckia Palm that many of you have seen, it was relocated to a spot in Key Largo's Ocean Reef community where a similar palm was blown down during Hurricane Wilma. While we miss this fabulous palm, we’re thrilled FKEC helped find a new home for a rare and valuable tree that had graced our entry for almost a decade. Thank you FKEC for helping us and teaching us about the importance of keeping the powerlines clear.

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