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Marco
Island and the Marco Beach Ocean Resort
By Norm
Goldman
Artist:
Lily Azerad-Goldman
 On the southern most-tip of
Florida’s West Coast, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, sits the mystical
Marco Island.
Gateway to the awesome land of Ten
Thousand Islands, the island is about 4 miles wide, 6 miles long, and a mere
90 miles west of Miami and 157 miles south of Tampa.
History informs us that probably
around 4000 BC the
Calusa Indians, who may have been the descendants of the Mayans, made
their home here.
These Native People had built large
mounds using millions of shells that offered them protection from
hurricanes.
The mounds were also used for
religious temples and burial sites.
 The Calusa were crafty and
intelligent woodworkers, who constructed canoes, beams and planks for their
houses, docks and piers.
Unfortunately, due to disease
brought to the island by the Spanish explorers, the Calusa were wiped out by
the mid 1700s, later replaced by the Seminole.
Until after the Civil War, there was
little population occupying southwest Florida.
In 1870, W.T. Collier brought his
wife and nine children to Marco Island.
His son, William D. “Captain Bill”
Collier, opened a 20-room hotel in 1896 that is today known as Olde Marco
Inn.
In 1922 Barron G. Collier (no
relation to the other Colliers) purchased most of the island.
Unfortunately, the depression took
its toll and development of the island was postponed until 1962.
It was at this time, when brothers
Elliott, Robert and Frank Jr. Mackell developed a master plan for the
island, after purchasing it from the Collier estate for the paltry sum of
seven million dollars.
Not surprising, prior to its
development in the mid-1960s, the population was a mere 550; as the only way
to reach the island was by crossing a narrow, wooden, hand-operated swinging
bridge. A trifle frightening!
Marco Island today has a permanent
population of 15, 000 swelling to 35, 000 during the winter months.
Western entrance to the Everglades,
and only 30 minutes away from world-class shopping, entertainment, fine
dining and the cultural scene of affluent Naples, Marco Island offers plush
accommodations to the discerning visitor.
This is in evidence with the recent
addition to the lodging scene of the luxurious and romantic five star
Marco Beach Ocean Resort.
Reportedly costing $40 million to
creatively build, the hotel’s décor with its marble floors, hand-painted
murals, and antique furnishings, creates an aura reminiscent of the Italian
Renaissance.
Striving to surpass the criteria of
five star establishments, the resort’s philosophy is that nothing is to be
spared in providing an ultra-luxury retreat for their guests.
This is quite obvious when you
consider how the resort quietly pampers its guests with excellent and
meticulous service
As a reward of this striving to
provide that extra touch, the Preferred Hotels and Resort Worldwide
organization has accepted the Marco Beach Ocean Resort as one of their
members.
This exclusive organization
represents the world’s finest and most distinguished independent hotels,
resorts and spas.
In order to qualify, a resort must
pass, among other rigorous requirements, an annual unannounced inspection.
This consists of a 1, 600-line item and a 5, 800 point standards and
practice audit.
The relaxing setting and
breathtaking natural surrounding include 87 luxurious one-bedroom and 14
elegant two-bedroom suites stretching along a shell-strewn beach.
All units are equipped with rich
wood furnishings, equipped kitchens, multiple telephone lines and cordless
phones, luxurious marble showers with separate bathtubs, and
floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
Overlooking the magnificent
sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico are the spacious balconies and garden
terraces.
A concierge is on duty 24 hours a
day, and maid service is provided twice daily.
Guests are invited to enjoy the
fitness facilities, personal fitness training, sauna and steam rooms.
On the fifth floor is a rooftop
garden with a tropically landscaped sun deck, as well as a heated swimming
pool and whirlpool spa.
It is no wonder why guests have
called this paradise!
Dining at the resort is a
transporting experience. The Sale e Pepe transports guests to Italy, the
Toulouse Lounge conjures memories of Paris, and back to reality in America
we have a poolside and the beachside bars.
Perfectly situated on white-sanded
beaches, guests can meander about to their heart’s content.
If you prefer, you may embark on an
exploration of the uninhabited barrier island, where exotic seashells may be
discovered.
You may even be lucky and come
across another important archaeological find, comparable to
Frank Hamilton Cushing's expedition of 1896.
Apparently, this was one of the
richest finds of Native American artefacts in North America uncovering more
than 1000 articles dating back to the Calusa culture.
For those who are more daring, there
is parasailing and jet skiing.
In close proximity to the resort are
7 golf courses where visitors can tee off.
If golfing is not your “cup of tea,”
you may want to try your hand at backcountry fishing among the barrier
isles.
If you are into eco-travel, a short
drive will take you to
Briggs Nature Center that offers an elevated boardwalk for wildlife
viewing and a butterfly garden.
There is also the
Caribbean Gardens, where you can see all four of Africa’s top predators,
lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, and the rarest tigers in
America, the Indo-Chinese tiger.
Cheers to Marco Beach Ocean Resort
exemplifying the ultimate in refinement.
INFORMATION
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
480 South Collier Blvd
Marco Island, FL 34145
Tel: 1-800-260-5089: 1-800-715-8517:
Web Site:
www.marcoresort.com
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