Marco Island Hotel on Beach that won't break the bank
 

I'm looking for a hotel right on the beach in Marco Island that is around $200-$250 per night for a few days in Feb. Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott are all over $400. The beach that these hotels are on looks fantastic, so a decent place on it would be great.

Personally, I think you are dreaming as far as beachfront hotels in February goes, but have you tried any of the normal booking sites (Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline)? There aren't, to my knowledge, really any "secret" beachfront hotels in Marco.

I imagine you are dreaming. It is HIGH season through March there. I know, because we had a wedding there on the cusp of the change of season--price drops 50% on April 1.

Try Naples instead. Marco is sooo built up, you can't even see the beach from the road. Naples has the same beach, but I think has more to offer.

Try renting a condo.

http://www.vrbo.com

Depending on when you want to go, the Hilton is coming up $265 many nights in February.

With all due respect, I think this is the first time I've ever seen a suggestion to stay in Naples rather than Marco to SAVE money! First of all within Naples itself there are only two hotels that I know of -- The Edgewater and the Naples Beach Club -- both way over the budget. If you go north of Naples to Vanderbilt Beach there are a couple of more motel like places, but last I checked those may also be out of your budget in February.

There really aren't many other hotels or motels on the beach in Marco -- most buildings are condos, and sometimes you can get pretty good rental rates on VRBO, but most if not all will probably have a one week minimum in February. You might give that a look however.

My mother-in-law owns a place in Naples, so I guess I don't know what resorts cost!

What about Pelican Bay Inn? I think that is what it is called on Vanderbilt Road. It is not on the beach, but just a few blocks off.

Thank you all for you suggestions. I figured I was asking too much for a beach location. I bit the bullet and reserved at the Hilton for a couple of days. The trip is only a beach trip so I guess it's worth it. I'll report back after the trip.