Anne

We are thinking of trying the Marriott Marco Island. Have heard it's great with kids (14 and 10). Anyone stayed there or have any other ideas in that area?

Henry

Anne:We've been to Marco many times over the past 15yrs.We usually rent a condo on the beach for the week.You may want to compare this to a hotel rental.Marco is a quiet family/retiree resort.The kids should enjoy the great beach.There is charter fishing and Everglades Nat'l Park is a nice daytrip.Enjoy.

xxx

This is a very nice Marriott, lots of families in the spring break season. Several pools, a huge beach.

grogargh

*** WARNING ***

I just got back yesterday from Marco Island (9/29/02) and had booked the Marriot.

To make a long story short - STAY AWAY. My reasons:

1) The resort is under construction!!
2) Some took a dump in the pool!! Its was outrageous. The had to suspend usage of the pool for rest of the day.

I went back to my room got my stuff and check out... I went to the Hilton a few properties down... the Ocean Beach resort looked nice too. I liked the Hilton a lot.

-Grog

sean

Mariott is very nice! If you are thinking of staying for a week look into a condo. We have stayed at the South Seas Condos tower 4 and have enjoyed it very much. It is much quieter down that end of the beach but only about a 15 min. walk to the Mariott and it's activities.

xxx

It's interesting to note that it is the hotel's fault that "someone took a dump in the pool", therefore others shouldn't go there. Can you please explain what every other hotel in the world does to prevent such a happening? This is sort of like saying, a car drove through the wall and into the lobby while we were there, so I'd never stay at that hotel again!!

kathy

The Marriott is a very nice hotel, stayed their with a teen on spring break for a week. It was family oriented.

lilmsfoodie

The Marriott is a good hotel with good service. The property is over 30 years old, I should know as I did the original interior there before it was a Marriott. Quinns on the Beach is a good restaurant right on the water and the activities here all relate to nature and the beach. Think of it as an antidote to Disney.

I think that the Audubon Sancutary would be boring for teen and preteens. I'd go more for a boat trip fishing or inland to Lake Trafford where the gators look like stumps in the water. Big fun for kids and no danger really as long as they aren't harrassing them. An Everglades trip might interest them...indian lore, endangered species etc.

Nice beaches on Marco, a great family vacation spot.

lll

Try Sunrise Bay Hotel/condos

Henry

That "dumping incident" sounds like a scene from "Caddyshack".It seems unfair to hold the hotel responsible for something so unimaginable,but still you'll never see me diving in to that pool.I wonder if management is considering some signage?

???

What would it read, Henry? "No pooping in pool", and a picture of a turd with a slash through it for the non-English speaking. Or "August 20, 2002, someone dumped in this pool"--like a historical marker?

beth

We stayed on Marco Island two years ago at the Radisson, and I was jealous of the people staying at the Marriott. The Marriott was the nicest resort in that area. The beach was the widest there, the pools were bigger than the Radisson, and there were tiki huts for the guest at the beach. Marco is a great island, but I think the resturants and shops are better in Naples. We stayed at the La Playa in North Naples over the summer. I would defintely look into that. The whole place has been renovated, and it is close to being as nice as the Ritz ,but it doesn't cost as much. On Marco, The Snook Inn is my favorite resturant.

xxxx

I can't even type, my eyes are tearing up from laughing so hard.

Tim

Stayed in Marriott last week. Almost completely under renovation right now. Unless you get a really good rate (under $100 per night), I think you would feel ripped off. Their was a new hotel across the street that other conventioneers said was faboulous. I think it was the Ocean Beach resort. All suites.

Jackie

I agree with looking into a condo. We stayed at the South Seas Towers. 2/2 with full kitchen and huge balcony with phenomenal view. Probably the same $ or less than the Marriott. Go to vrbo.com.

Jake

Does anyone know when the construction will be done? I am going to the Marriott In Marco in February and curious what the state of it will be.

Susan

To "tell me": Thanks for the great laugh! Is your real name Dave Barry (sp?) Or maybe Ray??

Henry

To ???? : You have some great ideas.I would also include the phone # for So.Florida HAZMAT response team. As a follow-up could this be the work of Bin Laden's boys i.e bio-weapons?

xxx

I am surprised they do not have a "kiddie pool" seperated from this type of thing. That seems it would solve alot of problems. These things happen anywhere. Think of all the kids that more than likely do other things in the pool. You can't escape that when you are on vacation and there are kids in a pool.

abst

I've never been impressed with the hotels on Marco Island. They're not luxury and they're not "beachy" atmosphere, they're just big buildings on a nice beach. There aren't a lot of hotels to pick from on Marco. There are lots of condo rentals but that needs more research. The Marriott get's run down looking because it's filled with families going to the beach and pool all day. It's not a business property so it doesn't look like a typical Marriott...Marco is near Naples which has some nicer properties. I think Marco is more family fun. It's like a big towering Holiday Inn. Spend your time on the beach and drinking and you'll have a blast.