Club Regency – Marco Island, FL

Author: archdent
Date of Trip: January 2003

We traded from our home resort in Orlando to spend a week at the beach with the family. It beats standing in line at theme parks hands down! It was a very relaxing week. We spent our time reading books, playing games, watching movies, and walking on the beach — very stress-free.

Highlights:
Try the parasailing — it is not scary at all! They have several boats that go out during the day. It is just like sitting in a lawn chair. You can see for miles and are able to see Dolphins and other fish swimming below you. It’s OK for children too as long as they aren’t the type that will freak out easily. The Olde Marco Inn Jazz Brunch is excellent. They offer great food and mellow jazz music, but there’s no need to dress up unless you want to. It’s also a very pretty place for photos.

The Boat tour of ten thousand islands, Bird Island, or shelling places are great too. Shop around or ask for recommendations. Sunset is an event on Marco — everyone hits the beach to watch the sunset and walk or sit. Photographers will take photos of you on the beach, so bring a special outfit for the kids (and parents) for a special photo op.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
There are lots of places to rent beach chairs, but it’s much cheaper to bring your own if you can (also an umbrella). There are plenty of places within driving distance to purchase groceries, rent videos, shop (Beall’s outlet). There’s a day spa on the Island. There are also many nice parks in area, but they arewell hidden from tourist areas. Excursions to Evergladesare nice. Horses can also be ridden not too far away. A big outlet mall in South Naples is a short drive awayand easy to find.

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Best Way to Get Around:
It is probably best to bring a car or rent one if you plan on going out. You could walk to nearby hotels and resorts for dinner, drinks and gift shops if you are hearty or wait until sun starts to go down.

Best things nearby: Parasailing, lounge chair and umbrella rentals, wet bikes, sailboats.

Best things about the resort: One of the only low-rise condos on the beach; the 32-unit complex is quaint, family-oriented, and has a very loyal following. There are great gas grills by the pool, with gas lines — not tanks. The units have easy access to the beach. It’s great that there are no long lines or big crowds — it’svery quiet overall. There’s a reserved, covered parking under unit. You can borrow games at office for no charge. Pontoon boat excursions are available through the management office. No lobby or elevators.

Timeshare Resort experience:
Club Regency is like a hidden jewel in the condo canyons of Marco Island. Our two children, 15 and 11, never wanted to leave the complex. They played tennis, went to the pool, met other teens their own ages, and played games. There was a very relaxing, calm, and unpretentious atmosphere. It was the perfect beach vacation place.

You don’t have to go out to eat at all if you don’t want to. Just plan your meals and bring your food, and you never have to go out for dinner or bust your budget. If you want to go out, there are certainly many wonderful places nearby. Many you can go to in shorts and beach shoes. The first week in August was very slow there, but we liked it that way. Small problems with the unit were fixed immediately. Building E is the beachfront building; the rest of the units face the pool. Lanais are screened, which is better for small children.