Marco Island
Nov 25th, 2012, 11:33 AM
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Marco Island
Looking to vacation for 4 nights in mid January on Marco island. I have never been and so I'm looking for advice to figure out if this is where I want to spend my time. First of all, temperature. Looking to catch some rays at the pool or beach. Will it be warm enough? Looking at the Marriott. Is this a nice hotel for $400 a night and close to shops and restaurants? Finally, is there a nice beach at this hotel, and calm clear water? Would I be better off going to AZ for warmer temps? Or is there a more luxurious place to o in FL vs Marco island and that Marriott? Thanks!
Nov 25th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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Marco Island is essentially a retirement residential community development on an island with a number of hotels. I don't know what you are looking for specifically, but if it's a lot of activity, nice restaurants, and nice shops -- then Marco really isn't it. Nearby Naples is more of a resort community and has more of those things last mentioned. I normally wouldn't think of calling Marco Island "luxurious", but perhaps I would Naples or somewhere like Palm Beach (but that's going to be a bit colder in winter). On the other hand if you are just looking to hang around a big resort hotel and lounge in their pool and on their beach, then yes, that can be a good one (although I suspect most people in January will be there as part of sizeable conventions).
There is no guarantee of weather. Yes, it probably will be warm enough in the water (if you come from a colder climate), but there is never much guarantee if the weather is in the upper 70s or even into the 80s or if a cold front might come through and you'll mostly have 50s with even lower evening temperatures.
There is no guarantee of weather. Yes, it probably will be warm enough in the water (if you come from a colder climate), but there is never much guarantee if the weather is in the upper 70s or even into the 80s or if a cold front might come through and you'll mostly have 50s with even lower evening temperatures.
Nov 25th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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A Ritz Carlton (Naples in the west, Key Biscayne in the east, for example) might be more luxurious. They are certain to be closer to air transportation. Marco is a way from the Ft Myers airport (RSW).
The water in Marco is calm and clear, the beaches are white, though not wide in that part of the island if I recall correctly.
Will it be warm enough? January is not as warm as February which is not as warm as March, but you should expect 70ish temperatures and you are pretty certain to be well below the frost belt. You should be able to sunbathe plenty. Year round residents would probably not go in the water in January or February, but it is usually warmer than Cape Cod or other New England beaches in the summer.
The water in Marco is calm and clear, the beaches are white, though not wide in that part of the island if I recall correctly.
Will it be warm enough? January is not as warm as February which is not as warm as March, but you should expect 70ish temperatures and you are pretty certain to be well below the frost belt. You should be able to sunbathe plenty. Year round residents would probably not go in the water in January or February, but it is usually warmer than Cape Cod or other New England beaches in the summer.
Jan 15th, 2015, 03:30 PM
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In Marco Island you should check out the Key West Express! You can take it down for a day trip or overnight directly to Key West. It only takes about 3 hours each way. It is docked at the Rose Marina on Marco Island which you will want to visit too.
Jan 16th, 2015, 02:28 AM
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ahh Neo..when is the last time you've been to Marco? Do you have any idea the average price of real estate there? The Marriot is very nice and the Spa is great. Even better and more luxurious is Marco Beach Ocean Resort, which has I believe one of the best bars and dining in S. Florida. Sale E Pepe is well worth the drive from Miami, I'd put that up against any Miami restaurant in terms of service and food. Marco and Naples are so close it really is one. there are many many great restaurants to choose from. I only recently started going there since friends moved to Marco....to say I was impressed with the area would be an understatement. It has exploded in growth the last 10 years. You are lucky if you can find a 100' lot for under a million in Marco these days...and with all that money has come excellent dining. But not just upscale dining, it is truly amazing the number of new smaller restaurants and breakfast places that have opened by northerners who have migrated here. The grocery stores are also amazing, more along the lines of Epicure and Milan in Miami but nicer! If I were to go to the West coast of Florida this is without a doubt my top choice.
Jan 16th, 2015, 02:49 AM
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Our son got married on Marco and we had a great time while there. In season, the prices are, well, "in season"!!
There were cute places to eat on the water away from the high rises. Good fishing.
And our kids go every year and did the Key West boat ride which was a LOT of fun apparently.
There were cute places to eat on the water away from the high rises. Good fishing.
And our kids go every year and did the Key West boat ride which was a LOT of fun apparently.
Jan 16th, 2015, 04:09 AM
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Umm, Dave, he was writing about Marco in 2012 as was I above.
It's still a long way from the airport.
We are renting a house there for a week in March. I'll let you know whether I agree with you on the rest after that.
It's still a long way from the airport.
We are renting a house there for a week in March. I'll let you know whether I agree with you on the rest after that.
Jan 16th, 2015, 04:23 AM
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Dave, did you miss that this is a more than two year old post?
But sure Marco real estate has gone up -- still a bargain though compared to Naples!
You say "not JUST upscale dining". Huh? Yes, there are many more strip malls, franchises, and cheap restaurants. Please list the new "fine dining" restaurants in Marco. Names please! My Marco friends are happy living there, but all of them admit "for really good or trendy dining, we MUST drive to Naples".
What's the name of the groceries (plural?) that are like Epicure or Milan? I would like to check those out.
But sure Marco real estate has gone up -- still a bargain though compared to Naples!
You say "not JUST upscale dining". Huh? Yes, there are many more strip malls, franchises, and cheap restaurants. Please list the new "fine dining" restaurants in Marco. Names please! My Marco friends are happy living there, but all of them admit "for really good or trendy dining, we MUST drive to Naples".
What's the name of the groceries (plural?) that are like Epicure or Milan? I would like to check those out.
Jan 17th, 2015, 09:10 AM
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Good grief Neo....no need to get petty and start picking on spelling. I come to Fodors now and then after long hours of work often early in the morning when I cant sleep. No need for your pettiness about strip malls, it serves the average folk who can afford those establishments. Im sure you can do your own research since you seem to have so many friends in the area. You clearly don't know what is going on in Marco, the real estate market there for upscale homes has far outpaced Naples in recent years, the square foot cost is nearly double that of Naples. I know this because I've been looking for property the past year. Obviously Naples has more restaurants given it is a larger area and not a tiny Island....I was simply saying it is a NICE place to visit, has a couple of excellent resources and ample upscale places to dine including the Naples area.
Jan 17th, 2015, 09:46 AM
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Neo...here: Like I mentioned...things have changed on Marco http://www.zillow.com/marco-island-fl/home-values/ its really gong cracy. Next time your out that way you should take a drive through the new developments, absolutely stunning homes.
