We are trying to plan a family "beach" vacation for April 2002 with 3 children 5, 9 and 12. We want to be able swim, relax, bike, golf etc...we are trying to use Marriott free travel and we are down to Marco Island Marriott or the Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott (newly renovated). Which one is the most family friendly? any feedback would be great! Thank You

Cathy,

I would recommend Ft. Lauderdale. On the Frommer's Florida East coast message board, they have nothing but great reviews. I will be in Maraco Island this June & the Mariott their is rated #2, the Hilton is #1. It dosn't matter which one you go to. I have some restaurant recommendations for both.

Ft Lauderdale:

Marks Las Olas
Casa D' Angelo - Federal Highway
Jackson Steakhouse
California Cafe
Burt & Jacks - Burt Reynolds no longer owns it!
Aruba - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Cage Maxx - Pompano Beach

Marco Island:

Susie's - breakfast
Breakfast Plus!
German restaurant accross from the Hilton
Blackwater Nicks - Pelican Bend - Island of Capri
Sand Bar - Fried Grouper Sandwish
Arturos - Italian
Pelican Bend - Grouper - Island of Capri
Cafe De Marco - Seafood
Goodlands - Little Bar - Our Pick - Snapper!
Goodlands - Stan's - next door to Little Bar - Sunday afternoon's!
Snook Inn - Friday & Saturdays!
Joey's - Italian
Kretch's - Seafood
Voyager - Marriott
Konrads - Bavarion Inn - accross from the Hilton
Bubbalini's - Pizza

i really like the marriott harbour beach hotel in lauderdale. the pool area is very nice and so is the beach there. the hotel is very pretty and well-maintained. great sunday brunch as well. as far as it being kid friendly i'm not sure. we stayed there without ours.

While the sand and the beach may be better at Marco (and less surf -which may be a positive or a negative, depending on how you look at it), there is a whole lot more to do and see in Ft. Lauderdale, than there is in Marco.
I personally think either is family friendly, although the Marco Marriott can be "convention central" if there is a convention at the time you are there.

Hands down - Marco, absolutely beautiful.

Thanks for all of the above messages they were all helpful. Patrick, I have read some past postings about Marco and know you weren't crazy about it. I have also heard that they host many conventions at the Marco Marriott and that would be a drawback. Though I know that Marco is lovely I think we will be better off in Ft. Lauderdale as we will have more activity and dining options.The intercoastal sounds like fun on the water taxi's and I have read great reviews on the Harbor Beach Marriott in Ft. Lauderdale. Thanks!

Hello.Cathy
Going to Ft,Lau with Family you would want to stay in a villa with full kichen washer dryer 2Bedroom sleeps 8
Where Marriott Beach Place Towers look up www.MarriottVacationclub.com
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Vicky Berry
1 888 800 4352ext6151