Marco Island Vacation and What I Wore
I just returned from a week at Marco Island and thought I would give you some tips on where to eat, stay, and wear while you’re visiting Marco Island for your next vacation. I am fortunate that my father has a condo on the island which we have visited every year except during COVID. This visit was a working visit and I also had the opportunity to meet up with some wonderful women I have developed a long-distance relationship with because of Instagram. Sammy was my copilot on this vacation. Normally I would fly down to Florida but it was spring break and car rentals were so expensive!
So Sammy and I hopped in our car and drove down to Marco Island. March is a very popular month in Florida because of spring break and people wanting to finally go on vacation again. I couldn’t believe how bad the traffic was coming and going to Florida!! It took me thirteen hours to drive home!
Meeting Female Bloggers on my Marco Island Vacation
As you know there are many women who are female bloggers and influencers over 50. We share a common platform on Instagram but it’s so wonderful when you have the opportunity to meet in person. There are many wonderful bloggers living in Florida and hopefully, I will get to meet them one day.
Luckily I stopped in Gainesville, Florida (halfway point), and had lunch with my friend, Rosemary Davis another blogger. Stopping midway and eating outside really freshened me up. It was so much fun meeting Rosemary in person! We had followed each other’s blogs and Instagram accounts and finally met in person! We met up at BJ’s Restaurant in Gainesville. Right off I-75 which was a perfect place to stop and eat!
I also had the opportunity to meet up for lunch at D’Amicos the Continental in Naples with other women I have become friends with on social media. A special treat was that a woman I follow on Instagram from Scotland (Morag is sitting next to me) was staying in the Napoles area when I was staying on Marco Island. Having lunch with these wonderful women was like being with dear longtime friends.
Where to Stay on Marco Island
Marco Island, being an island within an island, has a coast, the Everglades and mangroves, and lots of Gulf Coast beaches!
Hotels on the Beach
You have so many options for selecting a place to stay while on the island. From vacation rentals to staying in a hotel. As Marriott Bonvoy members, we always stay at a Marriott property when on vacation. You just need to find a hotel that fits within your budget. We save money by using points when we travel.
J W Marriott
When we stay on Marco Island we use the Spa at the JW hotel. I love being pampered while on vacation!
Other Hotels that I would Recommend on the Beach
Marriott Crystal Shores- Marriott Vacation Club
The Surf Club of Marco Island- Hilton Grand Vacations
Eagle’s Nest Beach resort- Hilton Grand Vacations
My Favorite Restaurants on Marco Island
Sammy and I have eaten at many wonderful restaurants on Marco Island. However, because it was a popular week I made dinner reservations to be safe. Many of the restaurants don’t take reservations. I made all my reservations on Open Table.
This is a wonderful and very popular place to eat on Marco Island. This waterside dining overlooks the Marco River. Sadly no reservations so plan accordingly. My brothers and my sister-in-law enjoyed eating at the Snook Inn with me last summer. Delicious food and they have a salad bar too.
Another favorite place of my family is Doreen’s Cup of Joe. If you love breakfast, Marco Island has many good options but my favorite is Doreen’s! Joe is her husband who owns the restaurant next door!
Restaurants at the Esplanade
The esplanade is a wonderful place to find 3 wonderful seafood restaurants and for people watching.
The coastal Italian-style village consisting of upscale retailers, small specialty stores, fine dining and luxury waterfront residences on Marco Island, Florida is truly a destination location.
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House–Open Table
Sammy and I ate at Deep Lagoon twice because of the one-hour wait time for CJ”s on the Bay. Deep Lagoon was excellent the first night because we had a wonderful waitress. On the second visit, the waiter was slow and he didn’t get my order right. I also saw that he had screwed up another table (wrong order) but the food was very good. Sometimes the servers can ruin your experience but we enjoyed our dinners.
Key Lime Martini
Tropical Mahi Mahi– Delicious!
Sammy had coconut and fried shrimp on both nights we ate there.
La Tavola– Open Table
This restaurant is close to the grand hotels on the island. You will see many people walking to the restaurants near the hotels and condominiums at the tip of the island.
This was a delicious dinner but served too fast for my liking. The food is great but they turn tables quickly. We had cocktails served with our salads and the main course was served while we were enjoying our salad. I had asked the waiter to slow down the service when the salads came out with our drinks. No Sammy has a nonalcoholic cocktail (Cranberry and soda) to my Cosmo.
If you want slow service tell your waiter when you are seated. if not, you’ll love this restaurant!
Seafood Linguine
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
What I wore on my Marco Island Vacation
I only packed a few clothes for eating out. The rest of the time I was either walking in the morning with Sammy or sitting by the pool. It was hot and very windy when we were there.
J.Jill
I wore this J.Jill outfit out for dinner on the first night we arrived in Marco at Pinchers and again for lunch at the Snook Inn.
This outfit is so comfortable and perfect for wearing in Florida.
Peach
Sammy and I made sure that we were getting our steps in on this trip. Every morning we would walk a couple of miles right after breakfast. I wore this Sylvie tank top with my neon green golf skort for my daily outfit. I really like the knotted hemline on this racerback tank top. This color is called dusk but it also comes in canyon clay which I may have to gey because I really like this tank top! It’s constructed with 4-way stretch and moisture-wicking properties perfect for your next sweat session or simply indulging in all-day comfort.
I brought along a knit ruana to wear over my maxi dress when we went out to dinner at the Deep sea Lagoon. It’s very chilly in the restaurants so I always wear layers. The ruana is made of a soft knit terry that can be dressed up or down with ease. Simply toss it on with your favorite leggings for around town, or dress it up for a statement-making look perfect for events or a night out.
This must-have maxi dress is on sale and perfect for everything from beaches to BBQs, or that long-awaited getaway.
Wearing: Ruana | Maxi Dress
Saint and Sofia
I love wide-leg pants for summer. I have them in linen and in cotton. I opted to wear this zebra print tee-shirt with these wide-legged pants from Saint Sofia for dinner twice. You may not be able to see it but there is mint green in the tee-shirt.
Miraclesuit Swimwear
I have worn Miraclesuits for the last 20 years and they are one of the best-made swimsuits on the market. When they reached out to me this year to be a brand ambassador, I didn’t hesitate. They design slimming swimsuits that truly stand behind their motto:
Look 10 Lbs Lighter in 10 Seconds
Miraclesuit offers a most distinct fit for your unique shape, combining comfortable control fabric that withstands any day in or out of the water. The only swimsuit that makes you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds, Miraclesuit swimwear delivers fit, form, and function to show off your beautiful curves – and your confidence. Instantly create definition while accentuating your entire shape, get proper support where needed, and trim your all-over silhouette. Amen to that!!
Miraclesuit was kind enough to send me as many swimsuits that I wanted to share with you. So I selected three swimsuits from their latest collection. But as you can see I have some sunburn marks along my bathing suit lines from the Casablanca Bandini top that I wore first. I need to learn to edit photos so that you cant see my problems!
Isn’t this a beautiful one-piece swimsuit? I fell in love with the colors and knew I wanted to wear this in Florida. Someone had commented on Instagram that I had a small waist but it’s because of how this swimsuit was designed that it made me look narrow in the waist. I’ll take any and all compliments at 65! I am not a skinny Minnie anymore so I will only wear swimsuits that flatter my body shape. I am completely fine wearing one-piece swimsuits, tankinis, and yes, swim dresses that make me look fabulous in public.
More Caliente Swimsuits
Casablanca Bandini Top and Bottoms
I selected a scarf-style bandini top for my tankini. This tankini top also comes with removable straps. I like the length of the top as it covers more than I was expecting.
The Little Black Swimdress You will love
I really wanted to wear a swimdress for so many reasons. Swimdresses are usually worn by older women or women of a certain size. This swimdress is so beautiful and it changed my opinion of swimdresses forever. The attention-grabbing detail of the Miraclesuit Up and Coming Solid Marais Swimsuit, will capture every eye as its twisted knot center at the bust casually enhances while a deep v-neckline embraces all things glamorous. The loose-fitting overlay minimizes the waist, controls the tummy, and slenderizes your shape.
Thank you to Miraclesuit, Peach, and Saint and Sofia for giving me all these wonderful clothes for my trip to Florida. As always, all opinions are my own.
I hope you enjoyed my little Marco Island vacation.
Did you get away this spring?
I am going to put Marco Island on my vacation in Florida list! It was great getting together for a chat. Please stop by whenever you pass through. Now, I will be looking into the Miracle Suit! All three are winning styles.
Rosemary
I am so happy that I got to see you twice. It makes our friendship so special.
Sammy loved meeting you!
I think you would really love any Miraclessuit swimsuit.
They are so flattering!
You look fabulous in all your styles and it sounds like a really wonderful vacation!
Sammy and I had a wonderful time together on our vacation!
We’re going to do it more often!