KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

When you arrive to your charming, updated, super clean room at Kona Kai -- two water bottles plus a small assortment of fruit await you in the room fridge.

I took the smallest kayak out and covered about 90 minutes of coastline.

During your arrival tour of the lush, tranquil grounds -- you are advised that a resident crocodile lives in mangroves not far from the property.

But they are solitary creatures and present no real danger.

The protected cover is created by a sunset pier.

It has covered areas to sit under. 

It also has plenty of clean, well-maintained lounge chairs.

Kona Kai is managed by https://hphospitality.com/portfolio

 

 

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

While the room -- really a cottage with a shared wall -- was first class, the grounds are what make Kona Kai Resort.

A lush tropical garden runs from the road to the sea.

Wisely, the tennis/pickleball court and parking are by the road, creating a sound buffer.

The grounds are nothing short of a tropical oasis.

Everything is immaculate -- no trash, overgrown trees, etc.

There are nearly a dozen areas to sit under a table and enjoy a meal, snack, or beverage.

It gets even better.

There is a protected cove where you can use free kayaks and paddle boards.

Paddles, life jackets are in a storage space that also holds tennis-pickleball supplies.

It also has a station for filtered water and ice -- so you can go easy on the environment while saving money on bottled water.

https://visitfloridakeys.com

 

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

To celebrate my birthday at Kona Kai Resort, I left Miami around 9 a.m. and had a great seafood lunch at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen in Key Largo.

I arrived before noon. Check in is officially at 4 pm. and check out at 11 a.m.

I was upgraded to a room that was already freshened up. It was not only an upgrade, but also ready 4+ hours early!

The room had a super comfy bed, sizeable fridge, ceiling fan, air conditioning, sitting area with a large sofa, outlets by the bed, modern bathroom and walk-in shower.

Luxury soap, shampoo, conditioner, hand cream etc. were plentiful.

At night, the room and property were super quiet.

https://mrsmacskitchen.com

 

KONA KAI KEY LARGO RESORT

PERFECT TRANQUIL UPPER FLORIDA KEYS HIDEAWAY

RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH OUTSTANDING AMENITIES

Kona Kai Key Largo Resort -- where have you been all my life?

For a quarter century, I have lived less than 60 miles from this low key, flawless retreat.

I've driven past it maybe 100 times.

It was not until an impromptu visit for my birthday that I turned off the Overseas Highway and into the paradise.

In the off season, I got a deal -- about $160 including taxes and resort fee (parking is free) on a weekday in October.

I understand the price can soar to more than double that in the high season.

Shannon, the manager helped me book and assured me I could use the amenities if I arrived early -- even if my room was not quite ready.

https://www.konakairesort.com

 

 

FROM DEI TO ROI

REBRANDING THE ENDLESS BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN 

IN AN ERA OF POLITICAL PUSHBACK

Proud to be speaking at Universal Design Summit 8, by Starkloff Disability Institute.

The global event brings 200+ architects, engineers, interior designers, OTs, disability advocates together for 3 days of keynotes, breakouts, tours of St. Louis sites that put Universal Design into practice.

Join my session this month: “From DEI to ROI: Rebranding the endless benefits of universal design in an era of political pushback."

Let’s design spaces that work better for everybody. Get your #UDS8 tickets: https://starkloff.org/uds8

PARIS’ METRO SHOULD BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

THE WEALTHY CITY MUST DEDICATE MONEY TO RETROFITTING THE OLD BUT ESSENTIAL SYSTEM

Like most visitors, I love using the Paris Metro system.

Locals don’t just love it – they depend on transit to get to work, school, healthcare and much more.

I encourage city leaders to increase wheelchair access for tenfold.

I’m tired of the worn out excuse that buses are accessible, so the subway does not need to be.

It can easily take an hour by bus to cover a distance that only takes 10 or 12 minutes by Metro.

That is not equality.

You would think in a city where the mayor and a significant number of mayors of the 20 arrondissements are socialists, they would wisely invest billions in tourism revenues to solve the social problem of grossly unequal mobility for wheelchair users and others with disabilities.

CARELESS AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR AT THIS PARIS LEGEND CAUSED ME TO FLEE WHEN THE SHOW WAS JUST BEGINNING

I HAVE BEEN TO HUNDREDS OF JAZZ CLUBS AND CONCERT VENUES – THIS IS THE FIRST THAT REWARDED MY ADMISSION PAYMENT BY THREATENING MY LIFE

Caveau de la Huchette.

Shame on you for endangering my life and hundreds of others.

You had dozens of people sitting on the stairs.

There was no escape.

I have visited more than 500 international venues and never seen something that dangerous.