Marco Island and/or Naples???

[Antonia]

We are trying to decide on where to stay for our 20th anniversary. Has anyone stayed on Marco Island - these are our two choices there - possibly the Marco Island Hilton or the Olde Marco Inn & Suites. Anyone ever stayed at these?

Our other thought is Naples and thinking of a resort called LaPlaya. It is right on the gulf I think. Anyone ever stayed there?

Any other thoughts or suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

 

[FLeisure]

I'd go for Marco. We've stayed at the Hilton in the past. The hotel is fine but the restaurant very disappointing. Many very very good restaurants in the area to make up for it !

Naples is OK but Marco is far nicer.

 

[sammi]

Again, a vote for Marco Island!

We loved it there and we stayed at The Charter Club Of Marco Island which was gorgeous with our suite facing the ocean.

As FLeisure said there are some great restaurants to try too!

 

[Antonia]

How is the water at Marco - is it clear and clean???

 

[FLeisure]

Depends on what you expect I suppose ! If you are looking for water that is clear like the Bahamas or the Caribbean then your going to be disappointed. The water all around Florida is pretty warm but I wouldn't say that it was particularly clean or clear compared to other parts of the World.

On the Gulf Coast it tends to be a little greenish and cloudy. On the East Coast then it is darker and again cloudy. The water is absolutely fine to go into and everyone will enjoy themselves. If you hire a boat for a few hours from one of the marina's at Marco Island you can actually see dolphins and mantatee's.

 

[Kae]

I pick Naples. LaPlaya is a wonderful place, my sister loves it I have not been over there yet. I found Marco to be boring a weekend would be ok.

I have been going to Naples for 25 years & I am leaving to go back Monday. My family has a condo on the gulf so I guess my view is a little one sided.

Kae

 

[Antonia]

Kae - thanks for your reply. I think we are going to do LaPlaya. We may drive by Marco just to check it out for another trip. Your reply has made me feel a lot better about LaPlaya.

 

[Kae]

Make sure you go to Downtown -Olde Naples Great Shops & eat at Yabba or Tommy Bahamas. Also go to the Shops on Gulfshore Blvd-Ventian Shops?-Isn't that awful our place is right across the street & I can't think of the correct name-Ben & Jerry's is there

I think is is relaxing & romantic in Naples.

Kae

 

[Leia Organa Solo]

I used to live in Naples and have family on Marco so frequently go there. I would recommend going to Marco. If you want to go to Naples that bad it's only about a half hour drive from Marco.

You would probably enjoy Marco moreso than Naples.

Good Luck and May the Force be with you.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Marco Island is beautiful and perfect if all you want to do is sun yourself and play in the water.

Naples will offer you much more to do. The Registry is incredible and a beautiful place to stay.

Splitting your stay between the two places may be a viable option for you.

Have fun where ever you decide to visit.

 

[NHDisneyKid]

My family has had homes in Naples for about 20 years now, so I feel like it's a home-away-from-home for me. We'll actually be down there in two weeks

Anyway, I have to agree with people who made the comment that Marco can be a bit boring. There is a lot of shopping and sunning, some golf, and we take the boat from Marco down to Key West sometimes (about a 4 hour trip each way)...but other than that, not much to do. It kind of reminds me of a big Sanibel Island with WAY more traffic and congestion.

I LOVE Naples...I'm from New Hampshire, so maybe just being in the warm makes me happy, but Naples is a great place. There is tons to do, including beautiful resorts right on the Gulf. There's also countless golf courses...

On the shopping front, I agree, go to Olde Naples, down 5th ave, the Pier is always fun to take a walk down...I like Tin City too. Never really buy anything there, but it's a fun place to stroll through the shops. Tommy Bahamas is a great place to eat and the pub at the Inn on 5th is a lot of fun too!! Oh I'm getting excited for my trip now, lol!

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time whichever location you choose, but Naples gets my vote. You can always drive out to Marco one day, it only takes about 20-25 minutes or so

 

[Antonia]

Thanks for all these replies. I really want our 20th anniversary to be special and I am always the planner.

 

[maepartner]

I just moved from Marco to Naples, so if you have any specific questions, i may be able to help Mary

 

[S. C.]

We went to Marco for a few hours last july, tried to stay there but they were booked so we stayed in naples. GS wanted to go looking for shells, didn't think I would enjoy shelling but we all enjoyed it. we found enough shells to over half fill a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[floridafam]

We are going to be at LaPlaya from May 11-17, this year.

We originally had planned to go to VB but we decided we needed something different.

Every time I have called LaPlaya, everyone has been so gracious.

We will be staying in an oceanfront lanai room. This room is in the 4 story beach tower and not in the big tower. We wanted to be able to walk right out to the beach.

Everyone there has been very helpful. I am treating my DH to a massage at the spa because he will be doing a triathlon in Panama City Beach before we go to Naples.

The website says the resort underwent a major renovation just last year.

The rooms look gorgious and they have pool cabanas that look wonderful.

I'll probably post a trip report when we return if you are interested.

Also, if you book LaPlaya online they give you a $25 resort credit each night.