Leaning Palm Resort

We stayed two nights at the end of our trip, and it was exactly what we needed to unwind after the busyness of the rest of it. Ken and Tonya made us feel at home. The views were amazing, and we could use kayaks and paddle boards. The cabins were unique and beautifully made, and they accommodated our vegan and gluten-free diets beautifully.

This is where I’ll picture whenever someone says “vacation,” and I can’t wait to come back for real. It feels completely off the grid and away from any path, but the land is just beautiful. The private beach is amazing, with plenty of places to sit in the sun or shade and listen to the waves. The owners have made everything feel just right. Meals are delicious and gourmet, with food preferences accommodated, including vegan and gluten-free diets with advance notice. You can share breakfast, lunch, and dinner with friends or eat by yourself, then have dessert by the campfire a few yards from shore. Afterward, there’s your own private bungalow, with electricity and modern but tastefully eclectic beach-style bathrooms. It’s private, yet still open and breezy, with the sound of the ocean to fall asleep to.

We’ve stayed here twice now, and we’ll be back. The guide on the snorkeling and manatee outings was awesome, and the lunches were great too. Even our often-picky daughter loved them. We highly recommend the stay and the trip. It’s just what we want from this kind of getaway: quiet, calm, and relaxing, without crowds, though there may be a few other people who appreciate the great food and excellent service you don’t really expect this far off the grid. The attention to detail matches high-end name resorts, but in our opinion the people are nicer.

One thing to be ready for: during the wet season, sand flies and mosquitoes come out, so bring plenty of bug repellent. Beyond that, have fun and enjoy. My wife and I booked scuba diving, cave hiking and swimming in the ATM, plus rappelling and ziplining through the resort. Having them arrange all our outings made the trip easy and much more relaxing, and I highly recommend trying some of the local adventures. It’s a private beach getaway tucked away from everything, with outstanding food and friendly staff. Absolutely amazing experience.