Villas were originally upper-class country homes for the ancient Roman upper class, much like lake shanties were originally vacation homes for retired Norse sea gods. Indulge in age-old luxury with today's Groupon to Palm Island Resort in Cape Haze. Choose between the following options:

• For $165, you get a one-night one-bedroom villa package, which includes all accommodations (a $210 value), a wine-and-cheese basket (a $45 value), half-day kayak or bike rental for up to two people (up to a $20 value), access to all amenities, WiFi Internet (an $8 value), and a golf cart to navigate the resort (a $50 value; up to a $333 total value).
• For $214, you get a one-night two-bedroom villa package, which includes all accommodations (a $285 value), a wine-and-cheese basket (a $45 value), half-day kayak or bike rental for up to four people (up to a $40 value), access to all amenities, WiFi Internet (an $8 value), and a golf cart to navigate the resort (a $50 value; up to a $428 total value).

Nestled on the scenic banks of the Gulf of Mexico, Palm Island's picturesque panoply of Old Florida–style villas dots a 2-mile stretch of pristine sands and wave-lapping shorelines, pampering guests with first-rate service and eye-fetching tropical vistas. A wine-and-cheese basket greets guests as they alight upon one of the resort's three spacious waterfront abodes, including the Beach and Bay villas on Palm Island, and the Mainland villas, which overlook a first-class marina just a foxtrot down the waterway from Palm Island. Warm island décor and a sparkling kitchen round out the sun-soaked interiors, while the island villas' cozy porches and patios offer guests an elegant stage for early-morning odes to rhythmically swooping seagulls.

Hair-tousling sea zephyrs lazily coast along the resort's white-grained beach, accessible only by car ferry and water taxi to ensure that sands are devoid of unsightly tank-treads and body-swallowing dinosaur prints. A mitt-busying slew of local attractions occupy fun-seekers, and sporty guests can indulge in half-day kayak or bicycle rentals to traverse the verdant flora and fauna of the island. A motorized golf cart makes for a leisurely jaunt around the property, granting guests ample time to check email, news, and photos of cats doing human things on the resort's swift WiFi.