We stayed at the Azul del Mar for one night in early February (we wished to stay longer but the Azul was fully booked). We decided to stay at the Azul because we generally like small, romantic, quiet retreats. The Azul did not disapoint. Dominic is a gracious host and the hotel is as peaceful and romantic as the Keys get. The rooms are a little pricey but its well worth it.

The rooms were very modern, clean and well appointed. The kitchen had everything you could possibly need (silverware, plates, wine glasses, etc.) and included a refrigerator, dishwasher and coffee maker.

Three things you should know before staying at the Azul (these really aren't complaints just things to be aware of). The rooms are not stocked with any food or drink. If you arrive late like we did you should stop at a grocery store before arriving (grocery stores close at 10:00 p.m.). Also, there is no service so you have to eat out or cook in. This limits the romantic feel somewhat if room service is your cup of tea. Lastly, the rooms (at least on the ground floor) are not as private as we would have preferred. All rooms have glass doors and the curtains drapped in front of the doors are see-through. We remedied the situation by hanging a beach towel in front of the door.

Despite these minor inconveniences, we enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate to stay at the Azul again if we find ourselves in the upper Keys.

We stayed just two days in Key Largo but being in such a nice place certainly added to our good experience. Our room was lovely, clean and stylish. The grounds are beautiful and you can't beat the sunsets! If we ever come back to Key Largo we certainly will stay here.

We stayed here for a few nights in October before Wilma swept through Florida, and loved the experience here. The rooms have every amenity you can think of, including dishware and even a dishwasher! The rooms are huge, and set up like little suites with a living room area and a separate bedroom area. Direct TV was another great plus.

Our room was very clean overall. We did have a slight problem with ants, but it was promptly attended to by the owner of the hotel, and bugs are just a part of life to be expected in South Florida during that time of year.

The toiletries are all Aveda products, which I thought was fabulous.

The owner of the Azul del Mar is an incredibly interesting person with lots of great stories to tell, and helped us with any question and problem that we had. For the outdoorsy, he rents out kayaks and sailboats at great prices (as the hotel is right on the water), although we were unable to partake in this convience because of the incoming Wilma winds. They've got lots of options for boating there though, and the waterfront view was breathtaking.

This place is perfect for long stays, but also great for shorter visits, and in my opinion, it was a bargain for the price. We'll definitely be returning there for our next visit to Key Largo.

My fiancee and I just returned from a six day Florida vacation. After spending a few days on the Gulf Coast, we ventured to the Miami area to attend the Orange Bowl football game. As a change of pace, we decided on quiet and laid back Key Largo, and stayed at the Azul Del Mar. The Azul is just a few miles into Key Largo, approximately 1 hour from Miami International Airport. I highly recommend this boutique hotel to anyone desiring a truly relaxing vacation to South Florida. Our only regret regarding our stay at the Azul del Mar was not spending another day or two to take advantage of the splendor of this place. Owner Dominic Marsden was very friendly and accomodating to us. His recommendations for dining in the Keys were phenomenal. Each morning, we were greeted by complementary breakfast pastries and yogurt along with a nice selection of teas. Dominic also provided complementary internet access, free movies, kayaking, and books, as well as the ability to easily arrange snorkeling and tours of the Everglades. The grounds of the Azul del Mar are well manicured, well-lighted, and private. Probably the neatest aspect of the Azul were the two barbeque grills on the grounds where one can grill their own dinner such as the fresh fish from Key Largo, and enjoy a romantic dinner without venturing from the grounds. In short, I strongly recommend the Azul del Mar for any couple desiring a break from the fast pace work world and from the expense and hassle of larger hotels and resorts.