Opinions, please. Clearwater or Marco Island?

[Disx5]

Thanks for helping me with this. We (me, dh, two teenage girls and toddler) would like to spend a few days on the gulf before WDW.

We go to WDW and New England beaches (COLD) a lot - we'd like to try the gulf for the warm water and nice sand.

Here's the thing - I need to go over July 4th and I need to use Hilton points. I am looking at Clearwater Hilton and Marco Island Hilton. I would love Longboat Key but that hilton is closing in July for a year-long renovation so I'm thinking it's probably not that great right now.

I like the shorter drive from Clearwater to Orlando. I don't mind busy beaches (we've also done July 4th at WDW, so we are used to crowds).

I am just wondering if Clearwater would be WAAAY too busy and kind of yucky as it is so built up and city-ish. Would Marco Island be better even though it's twice as far away?

Has anyone stayed at either hotel and can help me out - I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much!

 

[PWammy]

I stayed at the Clearwater Hilton for a week long work conference and it was horrible; BUT that was over 10 years ago. We joked that it was really the Hotel Milton and Hilton bought it and just turned the M into an H. I hope it has been refurbbed b/c it was pretty old and rundown.

 

[Enjoying Life]

I would go to Marco Island. The beach there is so soft. It's like baby powder. Never stayed at the Hilton (always stay at the Marriott) but it looks nice.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, I have not been to Marco Island (YET!!) but last summer I drove from Venice to Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers VERY easy and pleasant drive. The beaches are BEAUTIFUL!! (I am a New Englander too and they make our beaches look awful) I can only imagine that Marco Island is BEAUTIFUL also. I have also driven from WDW to Venice (about 1 1/2 hours) and again a VERY easy drive. Joan

 

[gcoolie]

We have stayed at the Hilton on Marco several times over the years and are always pleased. The beach is very nice and the hotel is good (especially using points). We drove to Universal from there last summer and the drive didn't seem bad. We took a jetski tour with Captain Ron. Highly recommended if you have the time and money while you are there. There are some reviews on trip advisor.

We stayed at Indian Rocks beach one time which is about 30 minutes down the road from Clearwater. We did an excursion that left out of Clearwater one day and from the glimpse we got of it, I can say I would not have enjoyed a beach that crowded and commercial.

 

[sahm1000]

I don't know anything about the hotels on either beach but I do know the beaches. WIthout a doubt I would pick Marco Island! No contest!

The best way I would explain it is...if you lived in Clearwater, the beach there would be fine for that...but you would still want to vacation in Marco Island.

 

[jump00]

We visit Clearwater Beach often and love it. Although we get our chais and umbrella from the Hilton (excellent service) we haven't stayed their. We love the beach and the Hilton does super bar service if you are on their strip of property. Warm water and lots of places to shop (if u want to). Lots of fun. Will go back soon.

Have a great trip!
Jump00