My family and I are planning a trip Dec. 25 - 30, 2003. My kids are 17 and 13.We currently have reservations at Marco Beach Ocean Resort. We enjoy shelling, adventure tours, walking the beach. We love dining at wonderful restaurants and those that are unique to the area. Can anyone advise whether we should stay on Marco Island or perhaps La Playa in Naples instead? Any other ideas about restaurants or activities would be great! Thank you.

I noticed you posted this question 3 times, so you must really want an answer quick. I must preface by saying I have never stayed on Marco Island, only driven through. I was not that impressed. To me it seemed that the hotel/condo buildings were right on top of each other and were consistently more high-rise than you see in Naples. I'm sure there are many people who love Marco Island, but if I had my choice I would definately switch over to LaPlaya in Naples. It is a beautiful resort and Naples has an abundance of wonderful restaurants.

Totally agree with scs! We stayed in Naples for a few weeks last summer and it was great. Beautiful beach, many great restaurants and lots of shopping.

We drove down to Marco one day for lunch, to check it out, only because we had heard so much about it.
The whole place looked shabby and crowded compared to Naples. Even the hotels that were touted as the nicest on Marco Island looked 3-star at best. We were quite happy to return to Naples as fast as we could!

My parents lived in Marco, later moved closer to Naples. I agree- go to Naples. La Playa is lovely. Some great shopping around there- nice restaurants. Go to Wiggin's Pass State park for a beautiful beach experience.(Vanderbilt beach) Small fee, but worth it. Marco Island was once charming- it is overrun with traffic and crowds now. It totally lacks charm.

I'd make one adjustment to what LLinda just said. I don't think Marco was ever "charming". It was desolate swamp, that was drained, dredged and filled to make a huge treeless plain for development. Bit by bit is was built up and fortunately the limited trees and vegetation that was planted has grown some. It is more crowded than it used to be (what isn't), but in my opinion there was never much "charming" about it. It does have a great beach however.

And, therein lies the charm/allure....whatever!

Thanks for the help "Patrick" and all. You are wonderful resources for info in SW Fl!!! I love reading your posts. I now have reservations at the Registry and LaPlaya. Any help on selecting between the two? I am greatful for your help! Thanks again. - Holly

Author: andy
Date: 11/20/2003, 05:28 pm
Message: I personally LOVE Naples...I get very bored on Marco as there is nothing to do at nite and the restaurants that are really better are in Naples, meaning you have a 20 min drive to get to them..


I would stay at the La Playa hands down..unless budget would allow you to stay at the Ritz or Registry...IN NAPLES....SWITCH!!!!

Restaurants in NAPLES are GREAT and in such abundance!!

Well, the Registry is a good 10 to 15 minutes closer to Naples than LaPlaya if that means anything, but I think I'd chose LaPlaya if you're really into the beach.

Thanks Patrick - We have 2 adjoining gulf view rooms at the Registry for about the same cost as one beachfront at LaPlaya. Mom and dad could go for a bit of privacy, although the resort at LaPlaya looks amazing. Is there a difference in service or amenities between the two resorts? We would love any pointers on restaurants. We will be arriving on Christmas day (arriving from cold Omaha!)We have a 6:30 Reservation at Baleen. We love sushi, so Chops is on our list, and have heard good things about Campiellos as well. We will only be staying 5 nights - any help you could give us would be great! We are looking for a shelling excursion and an adventure in the everglades. For this much advice - we should buy you and a friend a drink or two!! Thanks again - Holly

Well, Holly, now the story is a little different. Frankly if you can do two rooms at the Registry for the price of one at LaPlaya, I'd go for the Registry. Actually they also have three restaurants on their own property alone, as opposed to a single option at LaPlaya. I recently posted my not too favorable review of Baleen (great food, really lousy service). I believe the spa is better at LaPlaya than the Registry if that means anything. And of course LaPlaya is right on the beach, as opposed to The Registry being back a bit.

Thanks for the help. i think we will go with the Registry - but i have until 12/11 to decide. Any ideas on the best shelling excursion or everglades adventure? i read on another post that you were involved in Naples theater - what productions will be in the area during our stay? Thanks again to all who regularly post on this board - your advice is better than any guidebook!! - Holly

I am reading this with a great deal of interest, since I am also arriving from Minneapolis, MN, with my two children (ages 17 and 23) on Christmas Day. We are staying at Bonita Beach Condominiums and were looking for brunch/dinner on Christmas Day.

We are also looking for other interesting options during our stay from December 25 to January 3. I have considered a New Years Eve boat cruise out of Ft. Myers. What does anyone know about that? I hope to keep this thread active between now and Christmas. Thanks for the help.

I just saw this thread was brought back up. In regards to theatre during your stay, The Naples Players will be dark over the holidays (we're volunteers, after all!).

But the Naples Dinner Theatre will be doing MAME during that time, including holiday special times, even on Christmas Day, I believe. Toll free 1-877-519-7827

At the Naples Philharmonic there will be a touring production of SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL from Dec. 25 to 30. B.B.King will be performing there on December 29. 1-800-597-1900.

There is more action in Naples and not so much out of the way.
You may want to read an article of mine about Naples and the Marco Beach Ocean Resort.

http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-...island-NG.html