When you see a place like this -- where ex-presidents go to unwind and the poolside cabanas have plasma TVs -- you generally expect to whittle away your life's fortune. But if you can resist temptation from the tiki-hut spa, you may actually get out of here with some savings left over.FLY: NYC to FLL $125
RENT: A car to get you to Islamorada and back via the Overseas Highway, a two-hour drive but a destination unto itself. An economy ride for four nights through Budget will set you back $96.
STAY: Four nights at the ridiculously pretty Cheeca Lodge & Spa. You really can't beat the fabulosity of their pool. Why hide in the cabanas? The rooms are lush too, with marble soaking tubs and pillow-top mattresses, but that only helps if you manage to drag yourself off these cool mini-docks. The best part? They know how to run a special. Most upscale hotels think package pricing means throwing in a bottle of champagne, doubling the room rate, and calling it the "Romance Package." Here, you can stay three nights at $219 and get the fourth night free. So classic!
DO: The $39 resort fee (per night) includes free use of the resorts kayaks and bicycles. You have to fork it over either way, so take advantage.
EAT: The on-site Atlantic's Edge restuarant is closed during summer low season, but the seafood's better (and cheaper) at local fave Bentley's, anyway. You can even BYO fish. Or if you love rodizio like I love rodizio, go to Braza Lena for salsichao and filet mignon wrapped in bacon.
TOTAL: $995. Okay...excluding food. But I'm not apologizing.
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