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Palm Island and the Palm Island Resort
Florida's Last True Out Island and Resort
Florida's Nirvana
By: Norm Goldman
Artist: Lily Azerad-Goldman
 Is this heaven or what! The allure of vacationing on an
authentic barrier island with palm trees swaying gently in the soft breeze
off the Gulf of Mexico, osprey, bald eagles, sandpipers, blue herons, tree
frogs, anoles, and leatherback turtles are free to roam without fear of
being run over by an automobile.
Who would not crave for days distancing you from cars,
crowds and the other stresses of civilization?
Where romantic memories will linger forever recalling
the many hours of painting, photography, hiking along two miles of a private
unspoiled and shell -laden beach, fishing, tennis, swimming, biking,
canoeing, star gazing and watching spectacular sunrises and sunsets, or just
lounging lazily in a comfy lawn chair and reading a favorite novel.
A place so exotically remote, that in order to reach
it, you will have to take a 5-6 minute car ferry ride, and once you arrive
at your destination, you are obliged to leave your car in the resort’s
parking area. In fact, once you park, the only means of transportation
within the island will be your feet, bikes or golf carts.
Now you are probably muttering-give me a break, this
sounds too good to be true!
My wife Lily and I were pleasantly surprised when we
discovered probably Florida’s last true out island resort-Palm Island and
the
Palm Island Resort, located along the Intra-coastal Waterway on
Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast, west of Charlotte Harbor, and forty- five
miles south of Sarasota.
The island was not always known as Palm Island, and in
fact it used to be called Knight Island. A name still mentioned on nautical
maps.
In 1979 brothers Gar and Dean Beckstead purchased the
land where the Palm Island Resort is now located and renamed it Palm Island.
Built in stages, today the resort comprises 160
privately owned luxurious vacation villas with one-two-or three bedrooms, as
well as 21 one individual homes.
Featured in each spacious villa are fully equipped
kitchens, living and dining rooms, laundry facilities, and a screened porch
overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
There are five good -sized swimming pools with hydra
spas.
APPRECIATION OF NATURE
Reflecting old Florida style, the villas’ architecture
is a kind of spiritual approach to design. The resort and island living are
harmoniously blended with the awesome natural surroundings.
It is little wonder that the resort deserves the kudos
it has received from the most discriminating environmental groups, including
the Florida Audubon Society, for the attention it has paid to the importance
of environmental preservation. There is a feeling that you are in fact
guests of the flora and fauna and not the other way around.
Between May 1st and Oct 31st strict regulations are in
force concerning the turtle hatching such as not permitting flashlights on
the beach at night.
There is even a gazebo exhibition at the Clubhouse on
the north end of the resort displaying , samples and exhibits of the
island’s native plants, animals and ecosystems.
The resort also offers weekly nature programs featuring
presentations such as a sea turtle program, manatee awareness, and several
more ecological subjects.
It is this appreciation for nature that was the most
powerful balm for our mind, body and spirit and in turn contributing to a
glorious romantic getaway.
WEDDING DESTINATION
When we inquired if the resort is used as a backdrop
for weddings, the reply was a resounding yes!
After checking out the possibilities Lily and I were
very impressed with the many possibilities, and the resort is extremely
flexible pertaining to arrangements and menus.
For smaller affairs, you can rent a six-room villa with
the Gulf of Mexico as your backyard. However, if your party is less than 150
persons, you can set up a beach tent with parquet floors. If you prefer an
indoor celebration, the clubhouse is available for a more intimate affair.
Ceremonies have also taken place on a private dock
overlooking the intra-coastal waterway.
Just think for a moment-how awesome it must be to
exchange vows on your own private island with a simmering beach rimmed by
pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
THE RESORT’S PIRATE IN RESIDENCE
 This is probably one of the few resorts that can boast
of having its own pirate in residence roaming the grounds and bringing
laughter to all of its guests.
Randy “Redbeard the Pirate” Matthews is the resort’s
friendly pirate who is loved by all, particularly the kiddies. In fact, we
were informed that some of the children prefer Redbeard’s entertaining
singing with his scratchy voice than a visit to Disney!
This friendly wild-eyed singer with his huge arms
covered with tattoos and daggers in his leather boots can have everyone
laughing and stomping their feet as soon as he commences his performance.
DINING
If you are not in the mood to eat in, you can try the
resort’s Rum Bay Restaurant, or you can boat over to a Florida legend-Johnny
Leverocks.
Both offer great food with a casually elegant setting.
However, what can be more hopelessly romantic than
dinner by candlelight in an enclosed screened veranda less than a few feet
away from the cool breezes of the Gulf of Mexico watching an awesome sunset.
As I am married to a great chef, there is nothing that
would convince me to substitute restaurant dining for Lily’s cuisine
combined with a good bottle of wine and Palm Island’s romantic elements. As
the French say, “chacun à son gout.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Palm Island Resort
7092 Placida Road
Cape Haze, Florida 33946
TEL: (941) 697-4800
(800) 824-5412 U.S. & CAN.
FAX: (941) 697-0696
pres@palmisland.com
Norm and Lily Azerad-Goldman are a unique husband and
wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic
destinations.
l.goldman@sympatico.ca
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