By Larry Olmsted

An unusually destructive hurricane – even for the worst possible Category 5 – 2017’s Irma was considered the most powerful storm ever for the open Atlantic region and the worst to hit the U.S. since Katrina twelve years earlier. In addition to catastrophic destruction across the northern Caribbean, it was devastating in the Florida Keys.

As a result, it has taken two and a half years for one of the nation’s most iconic luxury resorts to reopen. But as of March 1, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is back and welcoming guests. That’s big news for luxury travelers.

The 5 1/2-acre island is accessible solely by private boat, seaplane or its own ferry, a 15-minute ride that departs from the resort’s reception office on Little Torch Key, located at Mile Marker 29 in the Florida Keys  … continue reading

Award-winning travel journalist Larry Olmsted is the author of “Real Food, Fake Food.” He is a Contributing Editor to US Airways Magazine and Cigar Aficionado Magazine and “The Great Life” columnist for Forbes.com.