Marriott's Crystal Shores

“Wow - the sunsets, the villa, the team members and activities, the beach !!!”

Wow - the sunsets, the villa, the team members and activities, the beach !!! - - - - - - - - September, 2024 Visit We visited Marco Island for our 25th anniversary, per a recommendation from friends; we’re glad we went… what a great trip. Part of the reason we picked Marco Island is because the… more

Wow - the sunsets, the villa, the team members and activities, the beach !!! - - - - - - - - September, 2024 Visit We visited Marco Island for our 25th anniversary, per a recommendation from friends; we’re glad we went… what a great trip. Part of the reason we picked Marco Island is because there is a Marriott Vacation Club property there - Marriott’s Crystal Shores. This was a great pick by my wonderful wife! At the Marriott, we enjoyed: - fantastic sunsets - relaxing, in the room and by the pool and at the beach - making food in our room and enjoying it on the balcony - coffee on the balcony each morning - fun at the pool - bocci, golf, trivia, socializing and more - beach / ocean time - in-room laundry - a nice bottle of wine, a welcome / anniversary gift from John, the General Manager - thank you! Away from the Marriott, we enjoyed: - anniversary dinner at 844 Gulf & Prime restaurant, about 7 minutes across Marco Island - taking an airboat ride with Corey Billie (about 15 minutes away on the Tamiami Trail (TAmpa to MIAMI)) - visiting the smallest post office in the US, on Ochopee, FL (near Everglades City), located on the Tamiami Trail - dinner at Del Mar, in Naples - - - The Property Marriott’s Crystal Shores is located on the southwest corner of Marco Island, at the intersection of Winterberry & Collier. The property is in the water; there is a short boardwalk, from the lower pool, across the dunes, to the sand / beach / ocean. Most Marriott Vacation clubs are more like apartment complexes - villas in buildings usually shorter than six stories tall; Crystal Shores and some other locations are taller high rises / towers. I was curious what I would think about being in a (semi-) high rise… the tower did not matter, and in fact, us staying on the 7th of 14 floors was great as it provided wonderful sunset views! One tower was built in 2008 or so; Marriott purchased it in 2014 or 2015, and then added the other two buildings; the rooms have been renovated since 2022 or so - they are nice (below). One section of the exterior is decorated with palm leaves; the entrance has two waterfalls, one from the lobby level to the sidewalk level; another from above the lobby level to where you park for check-in. There are: - 3 swimming pools - 3 hot tubs - a water lily pond - ping pong / table tennis, pool, shuffleboard - a bar for pizza and drinks - a restaurant with beach views with a full food and drink menu - activities by the pool through the day, including: water basketball (small balls shot into 5 gallon buckets), nerf water golf, bocci, trivia, karaoke, and more - - - The room We stayed in a two bedroom villa - 1 king bedroom with bath, and a TV - 1 two-queen bedroom with bath, and a TV - Full kitchen - stove, microwave, refrigerator, dish washer; island - Living room with TV - Balcony with Hurricane doors; and table and four chairs for eating; and two chaise lounges for relaxing… or waking up with coffee - Laundry / washer/dryer in the room - - - Nearby groceries all are driving distance - The Publix, on Barfield - recommended as this is the closest grocery and the store with the largest overall selection, and with the most gluten-free (GF) items (including the Blue Diamond crackers made from rice flower and almonds - highly recommended!); to get there, drive straight away from Crystal Shores, on Winterberry, turn left on Barfield and it will be on your right - another Publix, located on Collier, toward the Collier bridge onto Marco Island - the Winn Dixie is open the latest, located in Collier, toward the Collier bridge onto Marco Island - - - Parking Most parking is in a two-level underground garage, with some uncovered parking also offered - - - Orange lighting The orange lighting seen in the photos, along the hallways leading to the rooms is the real color; presumably used to provide light for us without confusing the sea turtles during their hatching season - it’s quite a nice effect at night. - - - Thank you, Tamela, GM John, the Concierges, and the rest of the Crystal Shores team, for helping us plan and have a great trip! ----- ----- -----

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