we also are considering Sanibel Island...

Sanibel Island hands down is wayyyy better than marco island/naples IMO.....I've been to all three and find Sanibel island offers the best relaxation of all. Marco island/Naples tends to get crowded. I rented a condo right smack on the beach (which is perfect and pristine all the time) and it was very affordable. I think i paid about $1,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment for 7 days and i went around July which is slow-season for them. I found the apartment through vrbo.com but cant remeber the name of it as it was a few years ago. But you cant go wrong with any condo there as the beach is soo beautiful and relaxing.

Agree that Sanibel/Captiva would be the better choice. Marco Island seems to be mostly hotel after hotel.

We have stayed many places in Sanibel, and enjoy Song of the Seas. On the neighboring Captiva Island, check South Seas Plantation.
http://www.sanibelcollection.com/song_of_the_sea/

http://www.southseas.com/?src=ppc_google_brand_179leadrate(phrase)&s_kwcid=TC|18933|south%20seas%20plantation||S||7246691929

I spent one night on Marco Island several years ago. I wasn't impressed. I didn't love the beach and disliked all the high rises.

Never stayed at Naples, the area looks upscale and expensive.

Have stayed on Sanibel and Captiva a couple of times. No high rises, lots of condo choices, right on the beaches. Not crowded. Lots of restaurants. The only thing we don't like is you really do have to drive everywhere. Too spread out to walk.

Friends of mine just came back from 3 weeks in Naples area. They spent a week at Gulf Breeze Cottages and Motel on Sanibel Island right on the beach. They described it as very retro (old fashioned) but enjoyed it and biking around the island (rented bikes). www.gbreeze.com There seem to be loads of options on the beach on vrbo.com too.

You might want to check out Ft Myers beach. We love it there and really easy to take day trips to Sanibel and Captiva

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions! Sounds like Sanibel is the way to go. After looking at dozens of options on vrbo.com it seems like our best option both in terms of finding a nice place to stay right on the beach & for the type of trip we are looking for. I google mapped the drive to Naples too & it looks like its not too terribly far if we wanted to make it a day trip & could be a pretty drive. Any thoughts? I'm going to check out Ft Myers beach as well.

Thanks again for all the recommendations!!

I will speak up for Marco. The beach has beautiful white sand, is firm and flat. The water is aqua marine and clear. The gulf view from the hotels and condos is stunning. Marco is a family to middle aged crowd. If you are looking for a week to just chill by the beach or on the deck, it's a great place.

Marco has enjoyable, moderate restaurants that are not overly crowded even during season.

The inland water ways around Marco are beautiful for kayaking or a pontoon boat trip.

In the Marco vs Naples comparison my general comments are that Marco is younger, less expensive, more casual, smaller, and the beach is the focus of the destination. Naples is a lot of retirement residential, major golf community, five star hotels, fine dining, and a big enough community you have every retail outlet nearby. Both destinations are 20 to 30 minutes apart to enjoy some of both whichever you choose.

When you check on Ft Myers Beach, Google Best Western resort, ft Myers Beach. We did no stay there but pasted it each day walking the beach. We thought it looked really nice and they have one bedroom units with full kitchens. Every unit faces the Gulf and the location is great close to the pier where there are restaurants, wonderful ice cream stores, etc. If you walk the other way down the beach you walk to the end of the island, there even a small park.

I'll try to help with a brief comparison of Naples vs. Marco Island.

Naples
More people, but as a rule, not crowded.
More conveniences, shopping, things to do etc.
Several choices for nightlife, happy hours etc.
Lots of vacation homes and condos on or very close to the beach.
Marco is very isolated, but it's only a 1/2 hr drive to Naples, should you be looking for a change.

Marco Island
Fewer people, definitely not crowded.
More exclusive.
Goods and services are a little more expensive than Naples.
Vacation homes and condos sprinkled throughout the island.
Isolated community, need to cross a bridge to reach the island.
Not far to Naples.
As someone else mentioned, the focus is on the community itself.

Both communities are upscale, with fine resorts, hotels, vacation rentals. Also both are very safe, which is important very important in my opinion.
Weather is the same in both as they are located just a few miles apart.

For more information on accommodation in Naples and Marco Island, check out http://www.naples-florida-sun.com/naples-florida-hotels.html . This reference ought to be helpful for your vacation rental dilemma.

It is a lot farther from the airport to Marco or Sanibel and especially Captiva than it is to Naples.

Captiva is a lousy base for exploring other places because it is at the end of a long two lane highway with a low, strongly enforced speed limit. On the other hand, it would be a good place just to hang out and chill on the beach, esp if you do NOT go to South Seas Plantation.

We spent two weeks on Marco Island two years ago. We rented a condo on the beach and loved spending time just relaxing on the beach. The problem with Marco is that if you want to go anywhere other than the Everglades or Miami you end up driving in the direction of Naples. Naples is a lovely place with a great beach and Pier and a proper town centre which Marco has not.We spent several days in Naples or passing through en-route to other places. We are staying in Naples this year and will probably spend a day at Marco.