U
IS FOR UNDERWATER HOTEL
Jules’ Undersea Lodge, named after
the French author Jules Verne, may
not be 20,000 leagues under the sea
but you’ll still have to scuba dive 21 feet through
a mangrove lagoon to reach its entrance. Unlike
other underwater hotels, of which there are
a few, this Key Largo lodge isn’t just for the
super-wealthy. Instead it’s quirkily utilitarian –
compact, amusingly dated, somewhat tatty and
–
let’s seal the deal – all bookings come with a
free delivery pizza. Your diver/driver probably
deserves a tip.
jul.com
V
IS FOR VERSACE MANSION
On the morning of July 15, 1997 – following his daily visit to News Café
–
famed fashion designer Gianni Versace was shot and killed by Andrew
Cunanan on the steps of his three-storey Italianate mansion, located at
1114
Ocean Drive. Nearly two decades after the tragedy, the infamous site is still
the third most photographed home in all of America (topped only by the White
House and Graceland). For those with money to burn and the desire to move
beyond the front gates, the property now operates as The Villa By Barton G, a
super-exclusive boutique hotel, restaurant and event space.
thevillabybartong.com
S
IS FOR STAR ISLAND
Star Island, a residential enclave located on a
manmade island in Biscayne Bay, stays true to
its name. This highly exclusive neighbourhood –
which has a population of fewer than 100 – is for A-listers
only (think: Gloria Estefan; Sean P Diddy Combs; Shaquille
O’Neal), and is the perfect illustration of the over-the-top
opulence for which Miami is infamous.
T
IS FOR THEME PARKS
Florida is the theme park
capital of the world, where
ticket takers at Orlando’s
three major parks – Walt Disney
World, Universal Studios and Sea
World – punch more than 50 million
admission cards each year. Disney’s
Magic Kingdom, which welcomes
more than 17 million visitors alone,
trumps them all. But while Mickey
and friends have called Orlando
home for over 40 years, Mickey is
not its oldest – nor its most famous
–
resident. God is here, too, at The
Holy Land Experience, a Christian-
themed park which opened in
2001
and depicts the architecture
of Jerusalem in the 1st century.
The park’s 40 exhibits include an
interactive recreation of the Last
Supper and a replica of the Garden
Tomb where Jesus’s body was laid
to rest.
disneyworld.disney.go.com
seaworld.com
universalorlando.com
holylandexperience.com
