Escape to Paradise: Banana Bay's Marathon Marathon (FL) Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Banana Bay's Marathon Marathon (FL) Getaway - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the (slightly sandy) beans on my recent "Escape to Paradise" at the Banana Bay Resort in Marathon, Florida. This wasn’t just a vacation; it was a… well, an experience. And I’m here to tell you all about it, warts and all, because let’s be honest, perfection is boring.
First off, let’s be clear: Marathon. It's not Miami, folks. Picture low-key vibes, sunsets that could make a grown man weep (me, twice), and an overwhelming feeling of… almost getting away. That almost-ness, that little imperfection that made this trip… real.
The Nitty-Gritty: Accessibility, Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, Gotta Be Prepared)
Right, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first. Accessibility: They say they’re accessible. They try. There’s an elevator (thank goodness!) and they tout "facilities for disabled guests." But honestly? Navigation felt a bit like an obstacle course at times. Some ramps felt a little… steep. Nothing egregious, but definitely not "effortless."
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, this is where Banana Bay shines. Pre-pandemic, I’d maybe glossed over this stuff. Now? Obsessed. And kudos to them, they're taking it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection? Absolutely. Room sanitization opt-out available? Nice touch (for the overly paranoid like myself). I actually felt… safe. The staff wore masks religiously (a definite plus), and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. I’m talking strategically placed hand sanitizer dispensers like little, germ-fighting sentinels. I saw staff sanitizing the railings (I may or may not have watched them for a solid five minutes). They even had individually wrapped food options – which made me feel slightly less guilty about grabbing a second croissant.
Rooms: My Cozy, Slightly Quirky Sanctuary
So, the room! My little slice of paradise (emphasis on "little"). It had air conditioning (essential!), blackout curtains (thank you, sleep gods!), and a coffee/tea maker (morning savior!). The decor? Let’s call it… retro-chic? Think flowery patterns mingling with sea-themed details (I’m pretty sure there were tiny starfish scattered about). I found the free Wi-Fi in all rooms (yes, and it worked!) a huge win, especially since I'm addicted to online shopping, I also had to have my little workspace (laptop workspace) for a bit. There was even a safety/security feature in the form of a in-room safe box. The wake-up service was, ahem, a bit overzealous the first morning, waking me up an hour early, but hey, at least I didn't miss sunrise.
And the bed? Ah, the bed! With extra long bed… heaven! The bathrobes were soft, the hot water was plentiful, and the toiletries smelled… tropical! (Okay, maybe I judged a book by its cover on that one, but I loved it). My room was surprisingly soundproof, even when that guy next door was belting out some truly questionable karaoke (more on THAT later). A big thumbs up on the non-smoking rooms.
Internet Access, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Wi-Fi, & Tech Blues
Okay, here’s the truth bomb: I’m an internet addict. I need my fix. And while the Wi-Fi was free and generally reliable, the Internet itself felt a little… slower than I'm used to. Trying to stream a movie one night felt like watching dial-up. They do offer Internet access – LAN, but who uses that anymore? And the thought of "Internet services" was a little vague. I feel like they could beef up the speed/quality a bit. It wasn't the worst thing in the world – but it did cause some minor digital withdrawal symptoms.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where the Good Times Rolled (and Sometimes Missed the Mark)
Alright, let’s talk food! The Banana Bay is, well, a banana for the food lovers, with Restaurants, and a Poolside bar. I'm a sucker for a good breakfast buffet (Breakfast [buffet]!) and Banana Bay did not disappoint. The Western breakfast, plus the occasional Asian breakfast, was pretty good although I heard the Asian cuisine in restaurants was pretty authentic, I'll have to try that next time. Okay, the buffet in restaurant was amazing. Lots of variety, the Coffee/tea in restaurant were available and I never ran out! The Snack bar was very popular. The Happy hour was… well, happy! The Poolside bar was a lifesaver when you're sunburnt, craving a mojito, and don't want to move. The desserts in restaurant were so good. The A la carte in restaurant, wasn't really my style, so I just stuck to the buffet.
Honestly, though, the room service? 24-hour room service? Lifesaver. Especially after one particularly raucous night (more on that later!). However, that's where the problems started. One day I ordered some soup in restaurant and it never arrived. I had to call back, and they were apologetic, but still annoying.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Serenity (Or, My Attempt At It)
Okay, the "Escape to Paradise" part. This is where Banana Bay really shines. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was divine. Crystal clear, with a pool with view that made you want to weep with joy. I spent hours floating, reading, and occasionally judging the other guests (that’s just me being honest).
Then, the coup de grâce: the spa. I was lured in by the siren song of a Body scrub. I figured, "Hey, why not exfoliate all the stress of the real world away?" And I had some real relaxing time. The sauna and steamroom were pure bliss, I spent some time in the Spa/sauna. I spent more time there than I planned. I was also very happy to see there was a Gym/fitness.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Ones That Don't)
Okay, here’s a random assortment of stuff. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please. Concierge? Helpful, but not always readily available. Cash withdrawal? Convenient. Gift/souvenir shop? Mostly filled with overpriced trinkets. Dry cleaning? Surprisingly useful.
The Facilities for disabled guests are, as mentioned, a work in progress. The Elevator was a gift from the gods. The doorman was nice. And the luggage storage was helpful.
For the Kids: Babysitting & Family Focus
While I don't personally need Babysitting service, the Family/child friendly environment. There were kids everywhere, happily splashing in the pool, eating ice cream, and generally being adorable. Banana Bay seemed to have plenty of Kids facilities and the Kids meal option.
Getting Around: Airports & Taxis & Cars, Oh My!
I definitely used the Airport transfer service which was a great experience. I loved the Car park [free of charge]. They had the Car park [on-site] which was good. I did make my own car rental arrangements as well. They have Taxi service, which I didn't use. They also had the Car power charging station, a nice bonus!
The Quirky Anecdotes, The Messy Bits: My Marathon Mishaps
Okay, time to get personal. First, the karaoke. Remember that guy next door? Well, one night, he unleashed his inner rockstar (or, more accurately, his inner… tone-deaf caterwauler) with a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” that was, shall we say, memorable. The walls of my room seemed to vibrate. I considered leaving a strongly worded note, but ultimately decided to embrace the chaos. It was truly a unique experience.
Then there was the incident with the sunscreen. Let's just say I spent an afternoon in the Spa getting an impromptu aloe treatment after misjudging the strength of the Florida sun. Lesson learned: apply liberally, even on cloudy days.
And finally, the proposal spot. There were a couple of couples, very happy to have their moment. I was very happy for them. I'm not going to lie, I felt a little wistful. But hey, maybe next time, I'll bring my own special someone.
Final Verdict: Should You Escape to Paradise?
Look, Banana Bay isn't perfect. It has its quirks, its imperfections, its moments where the "paradise" label feels a little… aspirational
Escape to Tulsa: Luxurious La Quinta Stay Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Marathon, Florida adventure at Banana Bay Resort & Marina. This isn't going to be a pristine, perfectly-timed itinerary. Think more… controlled chaos with a splash of sunshine and a whole lotta rum. Consider this my travel journal vomited onto the screen (in a good way!).
Day 1: Arrival, A Rum Punch Revelation, and the Great Conch Hunt
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Marathon! (Miami Airport, Rent a car). Okay, first things first, the drive. Florida, even at its most glorious, is still Florida, meaning you're gonna run into a guy in a pickup truck with a MAGA flag, a woman doing her makeup at 80mph, and a gaggle of snowbirds who think 30mph is the speed limit. Deep breaths. We're aiming for chill vibes. This is where the adventure begins.
- 3:30 PM: Banana Bay - OMG, the View! Check-in. This place is actually pretty! Pastel cottages, palm trees swaying, boats bobbing… Instant serenity, right? Wrong. My luggage is MIA. I’m already sweating, and I’m pretty sure I heard a mosquito plotting my demise.
- 4:00 PM: The Rum Punch Crisis Averted Thank god for the resort bar! I'm talking to myself. It’s always good to have a good conversation. A big ol' rum punch is absolutely necessary. The bartender, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen a thousand sunburned tourists. "Tough day, huh?" he chuckled. "Gotta lubricate the situation." He wasn't wrong. The rum punch was perfection, a sweet, fruity, and potent reminder that I was OFFICIALLY ON VACATION.
- 5:00 PM: Conch Quest Initiation and a Near-Disaster I'm on a mission. CONCH. I’ve heard it’s the local delicacy. I venture out on the resort's docks, armed with a guidebook and a serious case of the “hangry.” The guidebook says, "Look for the conch shells." Okay, Captain Obvious, I GOT THIS. Then I tripped over a dock piling and almost face-planted into the ocean. Luckily, I grabbed a rope – a testament to my impressive reflexes (or maybe just dumb luck). That’s gonna be my first anecdote about the trip.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset Sizzle The sunset? Unreal. The sky bled orange, pink, and purple. I found a bench overlooking the water, completely lost in the moment. Okay, maybe this "chill vibes" thing is actually working. And maybe, just maybe, I saw a conch shell! (It was, in fact, a rock, but the thought counts, right?)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Resort - The Fried Grouper Dilemma. The restaurant at the resort is lovely. However, the menu presented a serious conundrum: fried grouper or blackened grouper. The waitress, a woman with a smile that could melt glaciers, caught on to my indecision. "Honey," she said, "just get the fried. You can worry about your health when you're back home." This woman gets me. Fried grouper it was. DELICIOUS. I ordered a second rum punch because, well, because vacation.
Day 2: Snorkeling, Sunshine, and the Tale of the Stubborn Seagull
9:00 AM: Snorkel Time! I rented snorkel gear from the resort, which seemed simple enough. Until I tried to actually, you know, snorkel. My mask fogged up, I swallowed half the ocean, and I felt like I was drowning in three feet of water. My inner monologue, which is usually pretty judgmental, was, “Seriously? You can’t even snorkel?” BUT! I finally got the hang of it, and HOLY MOLY! Coral reefs, colorful fish, the whole shebang!
11:00 AM: The Seagull Encounter I was lounging on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, when a HUGE seagull decided MY french fries were his. This wasn't a gentle swooping and snatching. This was an attack. It was like a scene from a horror movie. I yelped, flailed, and somehow managed to save half my fries. The seagull, however, was not amused and circled me for a solid five minutes. It was the most intense battle of wills I've ever experienced. (I won, by the way. Victory feels so sweet… and salty.)
12:30 PM: Grabbing fuel Lunch at a waterfront cafe. I need to make notes about the specific spots. I am getting bad.
2:00 PM: Turtle Hospital (and Tears!) Seriously, if you don't cry visiting the Turtle Hospital, you're a robot. These amazing people nurse injured sea turtles back to health. Seeing these gentle giants up close, hearing their stories… yeah, I definitely teared up. It's a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of the ocean. I felt a strong connection to the place.
4:00 PM: Back to Banana Bay Bliss! More rum punch and a good book. I might have fallen asleep on the beach. Don't tell anyone.
Day 3: Fury of the water.
7:00 AM: Fishing Trip…or Fishing Fiasco? I booked a half-day fishing trip. I'm not much of a fisherman, but hey – new experiences, right? The boat was nice, the captain (a grizzled veteran with a permanent squint) was knowledgeable, and the ocean? Stunning. We, however, did not catch any fish. Not a single one. I blame the weather. The captain blamed my lack of fishing prowess. Either way, it was still a blast, and I witnessed the most beautiful sunrise. The salty sea wind brought out the best in me.
12:00 PM: Marathon Griddle This is the most popular. I am waiting.
2:00 PM: Departure. The worst part of any trip. Leaving. Saying goodbye to the sunshine, the rum punch, the friendly people. But it was okay. Because I was bringing a whole bunch of memories with me. I’m ready to come back.
3:00 PM: Flying home.
There you have it. My Marathon, Florida adventure. It's not perfect, it's not glamorous, but it sure as hell was memorable. And isn't that what travel's all about?
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Escape to Paradise: Banana Bay's Marathon Marathon (FL) Getaway - FAQ! (And Let's Get Real)
Okay, So...What *IS* the Marathon Marathon, Anyway? And Why Banana Bay?
Alright, alright, settle down. The Marathon Marathon (I'm pretty sure they call it that... or maybe "Marathon Marathon Weekend"?) is basically a running event in the Florida Keys, where you run a freaking marathon. Sounds fun, right? (Insert nervous laughter here). It's scenic, I'll give it that. You’re supposed to be running *alongside* the ocean. Supposed to see some epic sunrises. My *friend* Brenda ran it last year (Brenda, bless her heart... and her complete lack of chill). She said it was breathtaking. Said the sunrise was 'divine'. I’m just hoping I don't trip over a conch shell. (Seriously, Brenda, how did *you* do it?).
Banana Bay? Good question because let me tell you, I was questioning its appeal until well into the *entire trip.* It's a resort, supposedly, right on the water. The promise of post-race margaritas is what hooked me, I'll be honest. And the marketing photos? Pure paradise. Think turquoise water, swaying palms, and me, looking effortlessly graceful after conquering 26.2 miles. (*Spoiler alert: the real me probably looks like a slightly-less-decomposed zombie who just ate a giant vat of sugar.*)
What's Included in the "Getaway"? Is it Actually Worth the Money? (Be Honest!)
Alright, the deal. The "Getaway" package likely includes the race entry (duh!), accommodations at Banana Bay Resort, and maybe a welcome packet with, like, a t-shirt (fingers crossed it's not the scratchy kind). Potentially, it includes some pre-race carb-loading meal, post-race recovery goodies, and hopefully transportation to the race. Read the fine print – *seriously, READ IT*.
Worth the money? Ugh. That’s a tricky one. Let me put it this way… if your budget is tighter than a marathoner's hamstring on mile 20, you might balk. It's not exactly cheap. But... and it’s a BIG BUT… you're getting a *whole experience*. The race itself is a bucket-list thing, the Florida Keys are stunning, and a break is a break, really. It is the entire vibe, you know? The sun, the water, the desperate attempt to look like you're enjoying yourself while your legs are screaming at you… Priceless, I guess. Or, you know, several hundred dollars. I guess it's all relative.
Honestly, the resort reviews were mixed though, and I was *very* worried. I did a lot of research... way too much. I worried about the cleanliness of the rooms, the quality of the food, but, despite everything, I did still book it. This is my life, you know?
How Hard is the Marathon Course? Is it Really Scenic or Mostly Just Asphalt?
Okay, listen up. This isn't a pancake-flat course, and you're not going to be running on a conveyor belt, I'm afraid. The Keys have bridges, people! So, expect some inclines, and you know, the weather could be a wild card. Hot and humid is the expectation. Prepare for that. Train in the heat! (I'm talking to myself here, by the way. My training plan mostly involves me staring wistfully at my running shoes.)
Scenic? Yes, *mostly*. You'll definitely see water. You'll get to run over seven mile bridge! Imagine the pictures, and people will see it. You'll likely see the ocean. And, let's be honest, when your lungs are burning and your legs feel like lead, you'd be happy looking at a blank wall. So "scenic" is relative.
What About the Banana Bay Resort? Any Tips or Complaints?
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. Let's just say expect the unexpected. I've read reviews, and they're all over the place. Some people rave. Some people rant. It feels like a gamble. I got a standard room, and the most important thing to me was the cleanliness. I will be completely honest. I am a bit of a clean-freak. After hours of research, I decided that that was probably going to be my determining factor.
They *promise* a pool, direct beach access, and a bar/restaurant on site. These are all important. The photos look lovely, but you know how photos can be. My advice? Pack plenty of bug spray. Don't expect perfection. And lower those expectations. You're there to run a marathon, not judge a hotel. (But bring some wipes. Just in case.)
My biggest gripe? The breakfast. I will talk about this. Breakfast is the most important meal of a marathon day, right? The reviews said it could be inconsistent. I am terrified. I've got some snacks as backup, but honestly, I'm going to need fuel. I am a morning person, breakfast is important in general. The thought of a bad breakfast on race day fills me with dread.
What Should I Pack for the Marathon and the Getaway? Besides Running Shoes?
Okay, so besides the obvious (running shoes x3, running clothes, race bib), here's the real deal:
- Sunscreen: You're in Florida, people. You will get burned. Unless you are the very rare and precious being that has been born with an inherent immunity to the sun.
- Bug Spray: Mosquitoes are practically state symbols.
- Hat and Sunglasses: Essential. Unless you want to squint your way through the race.
- Electrolyte Replacements: Gels, chews, whatever keeps you going. Find what works for you *before* race day. That I can't stress enough.
- Anti-Chafing Balm: Trust me. You'll thank me later. I'M SHOUTING THIS.
- Comfortable Clothes for After the Race: Forget fancy outfits. Think loose, airy clothes. You'll want to peel those sweaty running clothes off as fast as humanly possible.
- Flip-Flops: or sandals for the pool/beach.
- A good book: for those moments when you just want to escape. Because, let's be honest, there will be those moments.
Any Advice for Surviving the Marathon Itself? (Besides "Don't Die")
Okay, here's my (slightly-less-than-expert) advice:
- Pace Yourself: Don't go out like a rocketRest Nest HotelsBanana Bay Resort & Marina Marathon (FL) United States
Banana Bay Resort & Marina Marathon (FL) United States
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