Kiaresh M.
Yelp
The Florida Keys is synonym with "laid back" and "relaxing". Even though it is only minutes away from Miami, when you get there, you might as well be a thousand miles away in a secluded part of the world. This us where time stops and the breeze sweeps your worries away. There are many places along the keys that you can stop and enjoy this tranquility, from Key West to Key Largo, and every now and then you come across a place you had never been before, which is what happened on Saturday.
On Saturday, for the first time, I went to Gilbert's Resort. For some reason I had never ventured there before. Maybe I was always too eager to get to Isla Morada and the Tiki Bar. But now I know I don't have to go that far. Gilbert's has Tiki bars, cold drinks, good food and friendly service. And when there is a live band playing, there simply is no reason to go elsewhere. On Saturday, the band Exit Left was playing, and they are my favorite local band. I try to follow them wherever they go.
I hear that the parking can be limited, and when it gets full, there are police officers who tell you to turn around, but I was there early enough to not face that situation. I considered staying over night in one of their rooms, but the price was higher than I would want to pay, especially given that I live 30 minutes away.
But overall, if you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere with the mix of sand and sun, you don't need to go further south thanGilbert's.