Where to Stay in Marco Island – 3 TOP Areas for Your Holiday

Planning your next trip to the seaside? Well, you’ll love the pristine beaches on Marco Island, FL! The island has so much to offer, from water sports to shopping, and I’m sure you can’t wait to start packing your bags. But first, you need to figure out where to stay in Marco Island. 

I want to make your decision easier, so I compared all the areas on Marco Island and featured the top 3 spots for your stay there. 

The best place to stay in Marco Island is South Beach, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. You can spend your days here lounging on an amazing beach, dining at great restaurants, and staying at some of the best hotels in Marco Island, Florida. 

In addition to highlighting the 3 top areas of the island, I also handpicked the best hotels in each recommended area. So, whether you’re looking to stay in one of the Marco Island luxury resorts or spend your vacation in budget-friendly accommodation, there’s something for you in this post. 

Whenever you decide to stay, hurry up and book your hotel! This is an extremely popular destination, and good hotels are quick to sell out. 

Let’s hit the road! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Eager to book right now? Have a look at the list below with the best Marco Island hotels, all located on South Beach: 

Here’s a map showing all the areas to stay in Marco Island that I’ll talk about in this post:

1. South Beach – where to stay for the first time

Who’s up for some beach fun? Bring tons of swimsuits, and get ready to sunbathe all day long and chill on the championship golf courses! Situated on the Southern tip of the island, the South Beach area on Marco Island offers direct access to the beach and has a vibrant atmosphere, but best of all, there’s always something to do here! 

Spend your days sunbathing on South Beach (map), or rent a kayak and explore your surroundings. Kayaking is also the ultimate way to see the Ten Thousand Islands, a chain of small islands and islets located South of Marco Island. 

TIP: The Goodland Bridge (map) and the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge (map) are both great places to launch your kayak without paying a fee. You just need to be mindful of the currents, as the tides can become quite strong. 

If you want to get away from the beach for a moment, head to the Otter Mound Preserve (map), a small but very cool nature preserve. There’s a nice walking trail through the preserve and plenty of birds – if you’re a bird watcher, you’ll definitely appreciate it. 

But if you’re looking for a place to have a delicious meal, I highly recommend the Marco Prime Steak & Seafood Restaurant (map), one of the best restaurants on Marco Island. 

Never a dull moment in Florida! And if you’re looking for more fantastic places here, check out Naples (not the one in Italy), a gorgeous town with white sand beaches. Naples is just half an hour’s drive North of Marco Island, and the drive is definitely worth it! However, if you didn’t drive to Marco Island, you’ll need to rent a car to fully experience the island. 

NOTE: For those of you wondering ‘is Marco Island expensive’, I have to tell you that this is quite an expensive destination. So don’t be surprised that the hotel prices are significantly higher than many other US destinations. However, it’s an amazing place for a holiday, so I think paying the extra buck is worth it! 

Other accommodation options in South Beach

Things to do in South Beach

• Spend a day sunbathing on South Beach
• Rent a kayak and explore the Ten Thousand Islands
• Go for a relaxing walk at the Otter Mound Preserve 
• Embark on a guided tour for wildlife sightseeing and shelling
• Enjoy a delicious meal at Marco Prime Steak & Seafood Restaurant
• Do some shopping at the Marco Walk Plaza (map)
• Take a day trip to Naples, Florida

2. Mid Island – best place to stay in Marco Island on a budget

Looking for an affordable place on the island where you don’t have to pay a fortune to stay at the best hotels? Well, this area is perfect for you! Located just a 10-min drive North of South Beach, the Mid Island area is more laid-back but still offers plenty of ways to fill your time. 

Naturally, the further along you move from the beautiful beaches, the prices will drop. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean it will take you forever to get to the beach. Depending on where you’re located, it’ll probably take you 20-30 minutes to reach the shores. So, I highly recommend renting a car if you decide to stay on this part of the island. 

While staying here, you should check out Marco Beach (map), a great place to do some shelling – and don’t be surprised if you spot some manta rays. 

NOTE: Mid Island is home to another gorgeous beach – Residents’ Beach (map) – but unfortunately for visitors, this is a private beach that’s only available to the island’s residents. However, if you rent an Airbnb near the beach, you might be allowed access – although there’s no guarantee. 

What’s also great about Mid Marco Island (besides the cheap hotels) is that you’ll have other things to do besides lying on the beach. You can visit the Marco Island Historical Museum to learn more about the region’s history and take a relaxing walk in Mackle Park (map). 

Another super popular activity to try on Marco Island is golfing, and one of the top spots to do it is The Island Country Club (map). Besides a world-class golf course, the club also boasts an amazing restaurant, so you can easily spend an entire day here. 

If you still have some time to spend on your holiday and are wondering what to do, the best thing to do is explore Everglades National Park! It’s just a 40-min drive from Marco Island to Everglades City (map), the park’s entrance, and you’ll get to explore a truly unique ecosystem! 

Other accommodation options in Mid Island

Things to do in Mid Island 

• Do some shelling on Marco Beach
• Visit the Marco Island Historical Museum
• Go on a relaxing stroll in Mackle Park
• Grab some breakfast at the Red Rooster (map) or Doreen’s Cup of Joe (map)
• Book a tee time at The Island Country Club
• Attend the Marco Island Farmers Market (map)
• Explore the Everglades National Park

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3. North End – where to stay in Marco Island for relaxation

The Northern Tip of Marco Island is super tranquil and perfect for those who like going off the beaten path. It’s also known as the Olde San Marco, and it’s great for people who want to avoid crowds and noise at all costs. Although the area is quieter, it’s still close to the hustle and bustle of South Beach – just a 15-min drive North. 

Although you’ll be a bit further away from the main attractions, you’ll still have access to some amazing spots, like Tigertail Beach (map). According to many, this is the best beach in Marco Island, with its white sands and the tidal lagoon, which is the perfect spot for paddleboarding and kayaking. 

Besides trying different water sports on the beach, I’m sure you’ll want to experience more of what the North End offers. The best place to start is the dining scene – there are many amazing outdoor dining options here – I’d single out the Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill (map) and the Snook Inn (map). 

Another thing you’ll notice about this part of the island is that it hosts several marinas catering to fishing charters and the ferry! From the Rose Marina (map), you can take the Key West Express ferry from Marco Island to Key West or book your fishing charter with Marco Island Charters and try your hand at fishing. 

Now let’s check out the best hotels on this part of Marco Island: 

Other accommodation options in North End

Things to do in North End 

• Go for a swim on Tigertail Beach
• Join a jet ski eco tour of the Ten Thousand Islands
• Have dinner at Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill or the Snook Inn
• Get some ice cream and candy from Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour (map)
• Take the Key West Express ferry to Key West
• Book a fishing charter with Marco Island Charters and go out on the water
• Explore the nearby Isles of Capri (map)

👑 Luxury price:	US$650
💵 Mid-range:	US$500
🛏️ Budget:	US$250
📍 Best area:	South Beach
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	JW Marriott Marco Island
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Marco Beach Ocean Suites
👛 Best budget hotel:	Marco Island Retreat

BONUS: Best Marco Island resorts

Marco Island is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation with all the amenities you can imagine – and there’s no better spot to do that than a resort! Even though I’ve already recommended some resorts for a couple of the areas discussed in the post, I wanted to feature a few more. 

On the list below, you’ll find the best resorts on Marco Island, listed from most to least expensive: 

• Marriott’s Crystal Shores – this top-rated resort provides direct access to South Marco Beach, as well as 3 swimming pools and 2 restaurants. You can rent 2- or 3-bedroom villas, ideal if you’re traveling with kids. 
• The Surf Club of Marco – one of the best beach resorts near Tigertail Beach, offering spacious 2-bedroom suites with balconies, a pool, fitness center, and barbecue facilities. 
• Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa – a family-friendly resort that provides beach access, a pool, and a poolside bar, plus a library. Other facilities include a 24-hour fitness center and a spa center offering a variety of treatments. 
• Club Regency of Marco Island – this resort is a great place to stay for couples and families, providing easy access to the beach, a pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a variety of watersports. 
• Sunrise Bay Resort – if you want to enjoy all resort amenities without breaking the bank, this place is just right for you. Rent a comfortable condominium and get access to a pool, a hot tub, a fishing dock, and even a pontoon boat. 

FAQs about lodging in Marco Island

Final words on the top places to stay in Marco Island

We’ve now reached the end of my guide on where to stay in Marco Island, and you probably have a good idea of where to spend your upcoming vacation. 

I know that the list of Marco Island hotels and resorts is quite long, so here are my top 2 favorite options, both located on South Beach: 

• JW Marriott Marco Island – this upscale resort features an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and 11 restaurants
• Marco Beach Ocean Suites – a comfortable aparthotel situated directly on the beach, with a private beach area and on-site parking

Don’t forget to book your Marco Island hotels in advance! They sell out super fast, and you don’t want to miss out on the best deals!

If you have any more questions about where to stay on this stunning island, leave me a comment below, and I’ll get back to you ASAP! 

Have a wonderful trip,

Victoria

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