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LITTLE PALM ISLAND, Fla. — Little Palm Island is a haven for the wealthy, and sometimes, the famous. Movie stars, one presumes, but general manager Emmanuel Gardinier won't say who.

Sports-star guests, he says, are too numerous to name, although Tiger Woods is tops among them. Politicians he confirms: John McCain was there with his wife and a staff member in March before a campaign stop in West Palm Beach.

"They slept for 12 hours, and then they were off," he says.

But press him about movie stars and he is polite but vague.

"We get more of the celebrities from the quieter side of the tabloids," he admits. "No Britney Spears."

Not that anyone suspected Spears would enjoy an island in the Keys that is accessible only by boat, where Key deer, not paparazzi, are found in the bushes. The thatched bungalows do not have TVs — what, no E!?—- cell phones are discouraged, and children under age 16 are simply not allowed.

"If they want to see and be seen," Gardinier says in a lilting French accent, "they don't come here."

He, like the resort he manages, exudes a certain above-it-all cool attitude without being snooty. He knows what a good gig he's got: "I drive my boat to work from my house," he says. "It's not such a bad commute."

Rates vary by date, and packages are available, some for as little as $750 a night. For information, check online at www.littlepalmisland.com.

Lunch guests aren't allowed to peek in the cottages, but we made an appointment with Gardinier in advance.

The bungalow he showed us felt very South Seas. It was cool and dark, set among lush greenery, with rattan furnishings and a high bed in a bedroom separated from the living room by the bath.

We thought it was lovely and not too dated at all, but Gardinier said it would all be redone soon, updated to let in more light and to keep the décor up-to-date.

So what makes Little Palm so special? Location, location, location. Sure, there are lots of lovely views in the Keys, but how many are free of any distractions at all.

Nothing next door, nothing nearby, no bridges in the distance. No noise from the Overseas Highway. No buzzing of busy boat traffic. Nothing but sand and sea and sunset and a few guests with enough island to spread out on.

And decks where you can sip champagne while watching an afternoon rainstorm dance upon the water, as we did during lunch.

And comfy lounge chairs on out-of-the-way docks where you can soak up the sun afterward. And countless cozy spots to rest by the lagoon-style pool, or in the sand, or among the trees, or in a hammock, or near the Zen garden or beneath a whirring fan.

All of that together, on an island that seems much farther away than 3 1/2 hours from West Palm Beach, is probably worth the money, if you've got it.

Louis Pou calls his approach to fine dining Modern Tropical Cuisine. Translation: lots of seafood and tropical fruit presented in an artful way.

Guests might order an appetizer of yellowtail snapper ceviche with passion fruit and coconut gelee and a main course of roasted pork tenderloin with corn, black bean, sweet plantain and bacon hash served with a mango mojo. Mmm.