Gateway to the awesome land of Ten Thousand Islands on the southern most-tip of Florida’s West Coast sits beautiful and pristine Marco Island only ninety miles west of Miami and 157 miles south of Tampa.  

The Calusa Indians, possibly descendants of the Mayans built large shell mounds for burial, temples and protection from the hurricanes.  They built docks, piers, canoes,  and constructed beams and planks for their houses.

The Seminole Tribe replaced them in the 1700s after the Calusa were wiped out by disease.

In 1876 William D. Collier, son of W. T. one of the first settlers, opened a 20 room hotel known as today’s Old Marco Inn.  Baron G. Collier (no relation) bought most of the of the island but development was postponed until 1962 because of the Great Depression.

Brothers, Elliot, Robert, and Frank Mackle, Jr. bought the 6 mile long and 4 mile wide piece of land for 7 million dollars and developed a master plan for the island.  Known as Florida’s emerald isle, Marco Island may be small but it’s irresistible appeal, beautiful beaches, wonderful dining, world class shopping and relaxing atmosphere make it a wonderful tropical destination.

The recent addition of the Marco Beach Ocean Resort a five star boutique hotel, costing over $40 million adds an aura of Italian Renaissance with it’s hand-painted murals, antique furnishings and marble floors.  Guests enjoy the fitness facilities, personal fitness training, sauna, steam rooms as well as an array of body therapies, massages, and facials.

The resort pampers it’s guests with spacious surroundings.  Nothing is to be spared in providing an ultra-luxury retreat.  When you consider the resort’s meticulous service, you understand why it is a member of the Preferred Hotels and Resort Worldwide organization.

One of the world’s finest and most distinguished hotels in the region, The Marco Beach Resort offers 87 luxurious one-bedroom and 14 elegant two-bedroom suites.  Each unit is equipped with kitchens, marble showers with separate bathtubs with floor to ceiling glass doors, cordless phones, multiple phone lines, and rich wood furnishings.

Many suites with spacious balconies command panoramic views of the blue green water of the Gulf of Mexico.  On the fifth floor sunbathers gather around the beachfront swimming pool set within a rooftop garden with a tropically landscaped sun deck.  Slather yourself with sunscreen, squeeze into a swimsuit and relax.

As beachside and poolside bars dispense cooling refreshments, the popular Toulouse Lounge enables guests to relax while admiring the reproductions of the French painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.  Turn-of-the century Paris provides the backdrop as guests enjoy cocktails.

Contemplate what’s for dinner as you watch the waves roll in from the Gulf.  Formal dining is offered to transport guests to the ancient hills of Tuscany to the savory regions of Southern Italy.  It is truly a culinary extravagance, a romantic atmosphere, and an Italian accent on the dining experience.  Guests call it “la dolce vita.”

A concierge is on duty 24 hours a day, and maid service is provided twice daily with turn down service.  The resort also serves as an ideal jumping-off point for various excursions.

Drive down Bald Eagle Drive, rent a catamaran or be more daring and go parasailing, or jet skiing.  Seven golf courses await you.  You may decide to try your hand at backcountry fishing or embark n an exploration of the uninhabited barrier island.  Discover exotic sea shells or a Native American artifact.

Briggs Nature Center offers an elevated boardwalk for wildlife viewing, and a butterfly garden.  Visit Naples, and see the Caribbean Garden where you can see all four of Africa’s top predators.  See lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs.  Check out the rarest tiger in America, the Indochinese tiger.

Perhaps you are looking for romance.  Marco Beach Ocean Resort embodies peace and quiet.  They serve as the most potent ingredients for such a special romantic escape.