Attention all snowbirds. While you’re currently looking down at us here in the southernmost part of the U.S. with your scarves and sweaters, mark my words, you will soon begin to yearn for the warmth that sunny little South Florida will provide while it’s in short supply everywhere else in the country. It’s snowbird season in Florida. The best time, weather-wise, to travel over to Northern Cuba (aka Miami) and places like it.
While you’re sorting through your list of possible domestic destinations, I would highly recommend you add the Marco Island Marriott to the pile. In over two decades of living in Miami, despite being urged, I had never been until this year.
If knowing that Marco is rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars on nearly every rating site doesn’t get you there, here are five of my whys.
- The beach. HELLO. Miles of white sand and seashells just waiting to be collected, explored, and enjoyed. It’s pretty hard to get a room WITHOUT a view of the beach at this resort. Waking up and seeing this from our balcony was so dreamy. Have I told you that the beach is my happy place?
- Marco is also extremely family friendly. Big difference from the communal baths around various areas of Miami Beach. The whole town is mostly low key and quiet. Almost all of the restaurants on the island close by 9 or 1o. 36 weeks pregnant me, enjoyed how things slowed down after sunset. There’s also plenty of things to keep your kiddos occupied. Starting with the Tiki Tribe Discovery Day Camp, dolphin tours, beach volleyball, daily poolside otter pops, game room, arts and crafts, froyo, and dolphin watching tours to the dive-in movie every Saturday. If you’re “turtle enough for the turtle club”, turtle nesting season is annually from May-October. During the season it’s always fun to take flashlights down to the beach after dark to see if there are any hatchlings venturing out to sea. It’s also a hop skip from the Everglades for those outdoor adventurers.
- “The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” Being on the West Coast, Marco Island gives you a first-class seat for sunsets (plus a nightly sunset fire dance). It’s not the same as watching it set on the East Coast. There’s nothing like seeing the sun sink into the ocean after painting it all shades of orange, red, and pink. I could sit on the white sandy beach and watch the sun Van Gogh the skies and sea for hours.
- The buffet breakfast at the resort is not only my own personal challenge, but amazingly delicious. However, the best breakfast bite in town is at Doreen’s Cup of Joe just a few minutes from the resort. There are times when I’ve considered driving up just for a Doreen’s breakfast. Enough said.
- Pools, pools, pools. The resort has a couple of amazing pools. They’re clean, refreshingly cool, and large enough so that you’re not rubbing elbows with 30 relaxed strangers (although you’re usually so zen, you’ll neither notice nor care). There’s one that’s tailored to kids with a mini splash pad, waterfall, and waterslide (which Isabella went down 238,423 times in a row). The other, is simple but relaxing and is mostly shallow for ample space to sit and bask in the warm sun and float your worries away. There’s also the added bonus, although common to beach resorts, of being able to order food and drinks poolside (seriously, waiving my arm up and calling for piña coladas and french fries and having them brought to me, is my personal heaven).
If you’re in need of a vacation that doesn’t end with you feeling like you need a vacation, check it out and think of us while you enjoy your poolside Piña Colada!
*This review is not sponsored.
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