Escape to Marco Island
As a busy business woman, it’s hard to find the time to get away, pause emails and put the phone down. Wearing many hats can be a challenge when you want to take a vacation. However, statistics show that vacation is good for your health and productivity so I make it a priority to find time to escape and get away.
There are many destinations that I love and frequent, but was fortunate to visit a place I had never been this summer thanks to my now fiancee’. After months of being at home during quarantine we were ready to venture out, but wanted to find somewhere safe and secluded. Florida was the only state that was open at the time and there was plenty of sunshine and beaches, which we needed. Miami was too crowded for our speed, but in Southwest Florida there is a little island that is the perfect spot.
Marco Island, is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico right off Southwest Florida, linked to the mainland by bridges south of the city of Naples. There are many resort hotels, beaches, marinas and golf courses, as well as a network of inland waterways. This was perfect for our getaway. White sand beaches and endless sunshine.
We rented a car so we could venture around the island a bit and visit Naples, which is about 30 minutes from Marco Island. We spent most of our time on the beach, but could get around as we pleased. We traveled in late August, which is one of the warmest months of the year, but there were less people as the snowbirds are gone and we pretty much had the island to ourselves. It’s quite humid in Florida, but felt wonderful coming from the dry Mojave desert of Las Vegas. Plus the humidity always gives me that dewy glow.
There are several resorts in Marco Island to choose from. We wanted luxury, but also comfort and space so opted for the Marco Beach Ocean Resort which provided a one bedroom suite which was perfect for the two of us. As a beachfront property we had access to our own private beach club with chairs and umbrellas and beachside service. Seeing all of the stripped umbrellas and chairs lined up reminded me of being in the South of France.
They have a couple nice restaurants to choose from, but we did most of our dining by the beach during the day and ventured out in the evening to check out the local fare. The Marco Beach Ocean Resort has the best skinny mojitos around and perfect for lounging under the your umbrella. The water is warm and clear on Marco. You can even see some fish and a plethora of sea shells. Each morning we would take a walk down the beach front and would stop at sand dollar island and go shelling for sand dollars. I found many which was a real treat.
Dining on Marco Island is a lot of fun, with everything from local fish shacks to upscale surf and turf restaurants. The general vibe is relaxed, a lot like Hawaii which I enjoyed for a casual but delicious meal. There is plenty of seafood to be had and we had a lot. I had the most delicious fish sandwich at a place called the Snook Inn. We sat outside by the water and listened to live music and danced the night away.
We ventured into Naples to visit friends and check out the multi million dollar homes along the beach. It’s lovely and there is great shopping and dining in the downtown area. We had dinner at the Turtle Club which is the only restaurant that sits right on the beach. To my surprise this was the spot my fiancee’ proposed, as the sun was setting on the water. A truly magical moment together and perfect place to get engaged. There is a very intimate vibe & they served us champagne and a lovely lobster dinner. It was a romantic night with lots of congratulations and love.
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Marco Island and plan to visit frequently. Getting engaged was the cherry on top of a perfect vacation I will always remember. There are other resorts on the island including the JW Marriott , The Hilton Resort & Spa and of course many Airbnb options. If you are looking to relax and unwind Marco Island is the place to be. It’s laid back, relaxed and not over crowded. You can stay on resort or visit places in town. I highly recommend Marco Island for a beach vacation you wont soon forget.