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By now, it's no secret that Florida has failed the coronavirus test. After locking down when the Northeast did, we re-emerged only to find ourselves as the new epicenter of the US pandemic. Most of us shut right back up like clamshells, and the state remains a struggling hot spot.
However, six months later, Miamians – me among them – are desperate for respite. As it turns out, staying cooped up all the time isn't good for you. "Having a sedentary lifestyle and not doing something for your own mental well-being – all these things can affect your immunity," Summit Health Group primary care physician Dr. Jessica Natale told me.
In other words, it's not a bad idea to safely get out of your house now and then. But that's when taking precautions, not jetting off to Europe, where we're banned anyway. Or even states like New York, where we're on the quarantine list.
Besides, as someone with an autoimmune disease and a dysfunctional immune system, flying doesn't seem like a good idea.
So, day trips and weekend road trips it is. And after interviewing many public health experts and physicians about how to take a safe, socially distanced road trip, as well as how to do so in the Florida Keys specifically, I felt confident I could responsibly leave my house for a staycation within my state, so long as I adhered to certain guidelines. After all, my car is where I can control the situation, keep sanitized, and have as little contact with others as possible.
I decided on Islander Resort for my first trip, located on Islamorada in the upper part of the Florida Keys. It generally appeals to travelers who head to the Keys for that Jimmy Buffett vibe, family groups who want to fish and relax, and South Floridians who like to bring down their own boats (there are 14 boat slips on the property).
In the past, I've seen it get a little boisterous, but it's also been updated since my last visit, and management is aiming for a bit more elegance. I also checked the COVID-19 policies and was reassured that the room would be sanitized, housekeeping would not interrupt our stay, and no one was allowed on property except guests.
Plus, there are no interior elevators or hallways. Each room or suite, equipped with a balcony or screened porch, opens out onto the 1,100-foot coral beach, a pool path, or worst case, a parking lot (my luck). Most are single-story, row-style or fashioned like villas and rooms start at just $189.
Value-wise, Islander Resort was well worth it, and offered the respite I needed, so long as the hotel and my fellow guests were following pandemic procedures. As it turned out, not everyone approached things as conservatively as I did, and the hotel did not fully deliver on all their cleaning promises. But my stay did impart some key wisdom on COVID safety to consider when traveling during the pandemic.
Of course, without a vaccine, there is no firm guarantee with regard to safety. It's crucial to follow guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practice safety measures including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, consider your own level of risk, and whether you're traveling from or to a hotspot, so as not to increase the rate of infection.
In other words, if you're not currently living in Florida, it's probably best to consider this hotel for a visit down the line.
Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by Islander Resort.