The Architectural Allure & Refined Offerings of Bungalows Key Largo.
Hidden away on a pristine stretch of Florida’s coastline, Bungalows Key Largo isn’t just another luxury retreat—it’s a transportive experience that feels worlds away from the mainland. This adults-only, all-inclusive resort offers more than just peace and privacy. It invites guests into a carefully curated world where thoughtful design, inspired culinary offerings, and subtle nods to literary legend Ernest Hemingway converge to create a truly unforgettable escape.
Where Architecture Tells a Story
At the heart of Bungalows Key Largo is a unique architectural vision—one shaped by owner Jerry Johnson’s decades-long devotion to luxury hospitality. Having previously owned the acclaimed Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Johnson brought an almost curator-like eye to his 12-acre sanctuary in Key Largo. Drawing inspiration from iconic destinations such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, he has created a retreat that feels both timeless and distinct.
The resort is intentionally laid out to encourage both solitude and sociability. Private bungalows—either tucked into lush tropical gardens or overlooking the calm turquoise waters—are designed as individual sanctuaries. With pitched roofs, spacious verandas, and breezy, open-plan interiors, each unit is a celebration of indoor-outdoor living. Yet, what truly distinguishes the resort’s design is how the landscape and architecture work in perfect harmony.
Hundreds of towering palms and dense layers of tropical flora form natural pathways that lead guests from their bungalows to shared spaces like the pools, restaurants, and beachside lounges. This organic layout doesn’t just look stunning—it creates privacy without walls and seclusion without isolation. Walking through the resort is more like wandering through a living tropical garden than navigating a traditional hotel property.
A Living Homage to Ernest Hemingway
The literary presence of Ernest Hemingway is infused into Bungalows Key Largo in ways that are elegant, respectful, and never kitschy. At the resort’s Hemingway Bar, Johnson went so far as to commission artisans to recreate the iconic Art Deco tilework found in Hemingway’s Key West home. The result is a sophisticated space that feels more like a favorite author’s private study than a themed attraction.
Black-and-white photographs, antique books, and vintage nautical memorabilia pay tribute to Papa without overdoing it. Sip a perfectly balanced daiquiri, and you can almost hear the tap of Hemingway’s typewriter in the background. This is less a tourist homage and more a heartfelt salute to a man whose spirit of adventure resonates with the Keys themselves.
Bogie & Bacall’s: A Culinary Voyage
Just steps away from the bar lies Bogie & Bacall’s, the resort’s signature dining venue and a masterclass in storytelling through design. Drawing from the romance of classic cinema and Hemingway’s beloved destinations—from Paris to Havana—the restaurant avoids clichés in favor of a refined, immersive aesthetic. Warm wood, brass fixtures, and a moody palette give the space a cinematic charm without slipping into nostalgia.
The food, meanwhile, is quietly extraordinary. The menu celebrates local seafood, seasonal produce, and precise culinary techniques. Think citrus-cured crudo from the day’s catch, garden-fresh herbs grown onsite, and a wine list that highlights character over name recognition. It’s a dining experience designed not just to nourish but to linger in memory.
All-Inclusive, Reimagined
While “all-inclusive” often conjures images of wristbands and buffet lines, Bungalows Key Largo turns that concept on its head. Here, the all-inclusive model is about eliminating friction. There’s no check-signing after every meal, no endless scheduling or restrictions. Instead, the resort offers seamless access to everything from mixology classes and paddleboarding to yoga sessions and open-air dining, allowing guests to move freely between relaxation and recreation.
Even the tiki bar boats—floating cocktail lounges complete with palm-thatched roofs—play into the resort’s playful side, adding a sense of whimsy without sacrificing sophistication.
Space, Silence, and the Art of Restraint
With far fewer rooms than other resorts of its size, Bungalows Key Largo is intentionally underbooked. This emphasis on space and quietude gives the entire property an air of exclusivity that doesn’t rely on opulence or over-the-top amenities. It’s luxury through restraint, where every element—from the positioning of a hammock to the scent of the flowering trees—feels intentional.
What results is a kind of barefoot elegance. There’s no loud music poolside, no dress codes or velvet ropes. Just a sense of ease, privacy, and quiet luxury that makes it easy to forget you’re only an hour from the bustle of Miami.
A Destination with Soul
