Latest news with #Brightwild
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
The Key West stay that changed my mind about the Florida Keys
I'm not a Keys hater—I'm just not a Keys lover. Given the chance to travel anywhere in Florida, I'll always choose the west coast with its miles of sandy beaches and sprawling resorts. Key West is, well, the opposite. Accommodations are usually boutique-y, and going for a swim in the ocean means getting on a boat. Thanks, but no thanks—unless you're taking me to Lunara Bay. I quickly changed my tune about Keys life after a weekend in this new oceanfront development near Stock Island, just minutes from Key West proper. Bookable on Airbnb, the luxury homes are massive—upscale, newly built conch houses with state-of-the-art appliances, modern furnishings, and space for you and your closest friends. The spate of homes can host anywhere from eight to 20 guests—if you can believe it—ranging from four to eight bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. Plus, each home has its own private dock, saltwater pool and outdoor sitting area complete with a grill, sound system, wet bar and fire pit. Truly, a dream rental. We stayed in the Joyrise House, a three-story, 6-bedroom/6-bath beauty that looked straight out of a Crate & Barrel catalog. I can say this confidently after flipping over every vase and checking under every chair, rug, dresser and cushion for the maker—yes, I wanted inspo for my own home. I was that impressed. The chef in our group was equally dazzled by the Viking gas range, matching Viking fridge, and icemaker. Let's just say both of us considered extending our stay… permanently. More than an Airbnb Guests of Lunara Bay are assigned a Guest Experience Manager (GEM), basically a personal concierge to see to your every need before, during and after your stay. Our GEM checked in pre-arrival for a grocery list to stock our fridge, sent restaurant and sightseeing recs, and curated a thoughtful Key West itinerary. We texted throughout our stay, and our GEM always responded quickly. When we scrambled to meet our 10am checkout (honestly, the only downside), we left behind valuables, which housekeeping secured and our GEM safely shipped back. Brightwild operates Lunara Bay (and several other properties) plus an excursion arm with sandbar trips, snorkeling and blissfully chill booze cruises—which we took and loved. I half-expected a rowdy Duval Street crowd on the water, but our mid-afternoon ride was smooth and laid-back. After cruising for about an hour, we found our sandbar and spent another 90 minutes wading in shallow waters before heading back. The pontoon boat was pristine (yes, even the bathroom!) and beer, wine and a sandwich lunch were included. A definite upgrade from my past Keys experiences. Embrace Key West at Lunara Bay Key West is only as fun as your company, and Lunara Bay gives you the space to bring all your favorite people. As a home base, it's close enough for sightseeing, meals or a big night out on Duval Street—without racking up ridiculous Uber fares. Ensuite bathrooms make every room feel like a mini hotel, complete with Salt & Stone and Grown Alchemist body products. The spacious living room and outdoor space give everyone a place to hang out and daydream about life in a mansion this size. For now, we'll plan our next getaway.
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Travel + Leisure
23-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
These New Waterfront Villas in Floria's Key West Have Private Pools, Personalized Concierge Service, and Some of the Best Views in Town
Lunara Bay is a collection of 26 waterfront homes in Key West, Florida, which feature four to eight bedrooms, private swimming pools, and ample outdoor spaces for entertaining. The sprawling residences boast curated art, custom millwork, spa-inspired bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and an outdoor grill; some villas also have private docks and firepits. Each home is serviced by a concierge who can assist in planning excursions and tours, booking restaurant reservations, or arranging private chef-prepared dinners. Key West visitors have a new way to experience the destination, famous for its vast coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and rainbow-hued conch houses. Lunara Bay, a collection of 26 luxury waterfront estates, opens for stays starting July 1. The new four- to eight-bedroom private villas—the island's largest waterfront accommodations—are managed by travel platform Brightwild, which specializes in blending the comforts of a home with the service and design details of a five-star resort. 'When we started Brightwild, our mission was simple: connect people in real life,' Billy Spottswood, CEO of Brightwild, tells Travel + Leisure. 'We believed that travel, when done right, could bring people closer—not just to new places, but to each other. With Lunara Bay, we set out to bring that mission to life and went all in." Each family-friendly residence features a swimming pool surrounded by a lush lawn (and a fence, making it both child- and pet-friendly), spa-inspired bathrooms with rainfall showers, a gourmet kitchen equipped with a Viking range, and an outdoor grill. Many of the homes also have private docks and firepits. Each villa is designed with curated art, custom millwork, and ample outdoor spaces to entertain—or to fully lean into vacation mode with a book on a poolside lounger. Many of the villas have private docks. To make the most of a Lunara Bay stay, visitors can also work with a dedicated GEM or Guest Experience Manager—essentially a concierge who can come up with bespoke itineraries, plan excursions like guided fishing trips or family sandbar outings, and book coveted reservations to some of Key West's buzziest restaurants. These pros can also help ensure a smoother on-site stay for guests by pre-stocking their kitchen or arranging a private chef-prepared dinner. 'Our team of GEMS will be your guide and connection to the local culture,' Spottswood says. 'They will help guests plan the extraordinary, but we also know that unforgettable trips are shaped by the moments in between—the spontaneous ones, the shared laughter, the small joys that can't be planned but can be made possible." Nightly rates at Lunara Bay start from $1,200, and you can book your stay at
