Marco Island--Help! Patrick?
 

We are staying in Marco over Valentines Day. What can I expect for temps? Really hoping the weather cooperates. We are at the Beach Ocean Resort (first time staying here). Is Sale & Pepe worth the $$? We are probably more interested in ambience rather than high-end food, but would spend the money if it got rave reviews. (I KNOW Naples is the place for that). We are trying to keep this relaxed and easy. Might even just do room service for V-Day. Its such a zoo out there. Does anyone know if the Snook still has its Chickee Bar? I had read somewhere here that it was lost in a hurricane. Crazy Flamingo still fun/good for lunch? Does anyone know if the Hilton still does the 2 hour excursion via Waverunner into the islands? That was a long time ago but very fun.... Taras? Arturos? We are only there for 3 nights, but we DO have to eat, so all input would be much appreciated. Thanks...

I've not tried sale y pepe but I can highly recommend the Island Cafe on Marco, on north collier blvd. It's an authentic french restaurant and the food and service are excellent. There are always a lot of repeat customers. I think it would be perfect for valentine's day. I also believe Arturo's is very good, but haven't tried it yet.
And yes, you can do the 2 hour waverunner tours from the Hilton.
Have a great time!

Thanks so much. I'm not familiar with your recommendation, so that is GREAT to find a new restaurant. Thank you... I'm glad about that Hilton thing too. Now if it will just stay WARM........ I appreciate your help

Well, I'm certainly not Patrick, but here's what I have :) - I used to spend a lot of time on Marco for over 20 years when my mom lived there, but not for last 4 years - I hope Snook still has it's Chickee Bar, but you can check on www.snookinn.com, and they have info including a web cam I believe. I also like the web page www.marco-island-florida.com for updates on dining, activities, etc (although I am sure Patricks recs will be much more knowledeable, it might be a start).

We used to enjoy the Snook, the small restaurants on Goodland, the Blue Heron on Isle of Capri (but that was when Denny and Eckie owned it, so I would be interested to see what is thought of it now) and Bavarian Inne (for veal, spatzle, stroganoff, and the best apple streudel ever) but that was when Conrad Mayerhoff owned it - I am not sure, but I think his wife runs it now and he runs Conrads Steaks, but things could have certainly changed in the past 4 years or so, last I was there a year ago Arturo's was still good.

Weather in early Feb for us was always iffy and we'd be lucky if we got a day to actually sit at the beach w/out a sweatshirt on. It was mostly light pants, short sleeve shirt, light sweater or sweatshirt.

One thing we used to enjoy was canoe/kayak or more remote island beach trip for walking/shelling out of the Briggs Nature Conservation spot - our favorite was a canoe out to the ABC Islands right off the main bridge where all the birds come to roost late afternoon/early eve just before sunset and the site of them all coming in over a 20 minute period was incredible. The whole thing took about 2 hours.

They also had a journey that took you out to an uninhabitated island and you could roam around and walk the empty beaches which was always nice.

I''m sure all their info is either on that Marco Isl page or on the general www.conservancy.org page.

I don't know if Hilton waverunner is listed there but it might be on the hotels web page.

Have fun - I miss Marco - when we first started going there , one hotel on the stretch, the single story Voyager - and only one blinking light !! Yikes things have changed, but I love that island. Enjoy

The Marriott also has wave runner tours out to the islands. Their high end restaurant was surprisingly good and included live jazz.

GettinBye,

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