With stunning beaches and a laid-back small-town vibe, Marco Island on Florida’s southwest coast is truly an idyllic antidote to your frenzied lifestyle. Perfect for the adventurous, the island overflows with fantastic water-based activities, including canoeing, kayaking, dolphin watching and boating. 

But, finding the right place to stay in Marco Island can be tricky. That’s why we’ve crafted this detailed and informative where to stay in Marco Island travel guide, designed for anyone visiting it for the 1st time or the 12th time. 

From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly vacation rentals, our recommended places to stay in Marco Island are sure to fit your taste and budget. What’s more, we’re throwing in some tips to make trip planning a breeze. So, let’s get started! 

Quick Tips – Where to Stay in Marco Island?

• Where to stay in Marco Island for your first visit – South Coast
• Best area in Marco Island close to everything – North
• Where to stay in Marco Island for families – East Side

Highlights of Where to Stay in Marco Island

Marco Island Area Guide

Finding the best places to stay in Marco Island can be a little challenging and tricky. Although the options for hotels are limited, it’s packed with vacation rentals, ranging from condo units to upscale apartments. 

But, luckily for you, we can help you figure out the right base for your Marco Island vacation. If it’s your first time visiting the island, we recommend that you stay at the South Coast. Not only is it a convenient area, but it also has a ton of options suited for all budgets. 

Not to mention, it gives you direct access to the beach and an array of restaurants. 

The North area is a superb choice for those who want instant access to everything. From beaches to nearby cities, everything is within easy reach from this area in Marco Island. And, did we mention that it has some amazing attractions too? 

For families, there’s no better place to stay in Marco than the East Side. With an easy-going ambiance and an abundance of parks, this area is the recipe for a fun and relaxing family adventure.

3 Best Areas to Stay in Marco Island

Searching more options? Looking for a base that fits your style and needs? Then, spend some time reading our recommendations. 

Neighborhood#1 – South Coast

Where to Stay in Marco Island for a First Visit

• COOLEST thing to do in the South Coast – Relish the coastline’s soft sands and crystal clear waters
• BEST place to visit in the South Coast – South Marco Beach

Marco Island’s South Coast is a slice of paradise on earth. As a matter of fact, it’s often named as one of Florida’s most gorgeous coastline stretches. With clear azure waters and soft white sands, this neighborhood is a prime location for sunbathing and swimming. 

Furthermore, it’s a terrific spot for beach games, water sports, and shelling. And, did we mention that the views in this area are nothing short of breathtaking and Instagram-worthy? Of course, the area has all the conveniences and amenities you need for a pleasant stay with the family. 

As for the accommodation, you’ll find plenty of cushy and incredible choices near the coastline.

• Head to the Caxambas Park and Marine, and charter a boat ride to the famous Ten Thousand Islands
• Spend a few hours exploring the amenities and features of the Otter Mount Nature Preserve
• Stop by Winterberry Park, and see a couple of local baseball teams playing
• Traveling with a pooch? Guess what? You and your furry friend can have a blast at the pet-friendly and unique Canine Cove Dog Park
• Satisfy your taste buds with a mouth-watering and filling burger at Sunset Grill. Besides its classic pub eats, it’s also a nice and inviting place to relax, cool down and catch a game

Best Budget Hotel in the South Coast

Sea Winds At Marco

You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a beachside retreat in Marco Island. At Sea Winds, you’ll enjoy a private beach area and fabulous sea views, for a rather affordable price. To make things even better, the hotel has a bevy of facilities that will ensure a comfy stay. 

Our favorites include an outdoor swimming pool, a kitchen with a fridge, a sauna, and a hot tub. 

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Editor’s Note: If you’ll be in Marco Island, check out the top things to do in Marco Island during your visit!

Best Mid-range Hotel in the South Coast

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa

The famous hotel chain of Hilton has really pushed the boat out with its South Coast Marco Island branch. The hotel offers a grand resort-style swimming pool, a full-service spa, and on-site water sports rentals, including sailing and kayaking.

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Best Luxury Hotel in the South Coast

Marriott’s Crystal Shores

With direct access to the gorgeous South Marco Beach, this luxury hotel will amaze guests with its awe-inspiring vistas of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll definitely love the resort’s refreshing pools as well as the high-speed complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. 

As for the accommodations, the resort has deluxe 2 and 3-bedroom seaside villas, equipped with spacious bedrooms, living areas and kitchens.

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Neighborhood#2 – North

Best Area in Marco Island Close to Everything

• COOLEST thing to do in the North Side – Venture into the nearby reserves and islands by kayaking
• BEST place to visit in the North Side – Tigertail Beach

If you’re looking for a more raw and authentic experience, stay on the North Side of Marco Island. Home to the famous Tigertail Beach, North Side’s attractions are less developed and more pristine than their southern counterparts. 

For adventure junkies, this area in Marco Island overflows with exciting activities and sights. There are even tons of marinas where you can kayak or boat your way to the other regions of South Florida. 

It’s a pretty convenient area too, with easy access to markets, restaurants, and boutique stores. When it comes to accommodation, you’ll find a healthy mix of budget-friendly hotels and cool Airbnbs here.

• Relax or indulge in a variety of activities at one of Marco Island’s most secluded beaches, Sand Dollar Island
• Go on a kayaking or boat trip to Keewaydin Island or Rookery Bay National Reserve 
• Rent a bike at Island Bike Shop and explore the island. Alternatively, you may join the shop’s guided bike tours of this region in South Florida
• Play a round of golf at Hideaway Beach Golf Course
• Grab some fresh local produce and tasty culinary goodies at Marco Island Farmers Market on Wednesdays
• Get some retail therapy by going on a shopping area at Esplanade Shoppes plaza. There are also tons of upmarket restaurants that will delight your taste buds at this plaza

Best Budget Hotel in the North

Riverside Club

Right if we’re being brutally honest, North Marco Island doesn’t really have a super budget friendly hotel and it is much more catered towards those looking for a modern and luxurious holiday. However, Riverside Club has very reasonable prices for what it offers including an outdoor pool and beautiful patios overlooking the sea.

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Best Mid-Range Hotel in the North

The Boathouse

The Boathouse is one of the most extraordinary hotels in Marco Island. Nestled in the northern tip of the island, this hotel lets you spot a bunch of manatees and dolphins from the comforts of their private dock. 

There’s also an outdoor pool with an eye-catching sun terrace. To top it all off, the hotel is fairly secluded and serene.

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Best Luxury Hotel in North

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel

If you’re looking for a lavish 5-star hotel in the North of Marco Island, then this is the ultimate place to stay for you. A beautiful resort-style hotel with grand finishings, it is a great place to stay for those looking to splash the cash on Marco Island. The hotel has luxurious facilities along with a prime location nearby, plenty of amazing cafes, restaurants, and bars.

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Neighborhood#3 – East Side

Where to Stay in Marco Island for Families

• COOLEST thing to do in the East Side – Take a day trip to Naples or Goodland 
• BEST place to visit in the East Side – Winterberry Park 

Truthfully, there’s no bay or beach in Marco Island’s East Side. But, guess what? It’s home to dozens of charming waterways and canals. And, don’t worry about the beaches because there are so many of them within easy reach from Marco Island’s East Side.

Surrounded by several keys and islands, this area also has eye-catching scenery. With plenty of nearby parks, this area is more suitable for families with younger kids. 

Accommodation-wise, you won’t find a lot of hotels on the East Side. On the bright side, it houses numerous luxurious waterfront vacation rentals. Amazingly, some of them have their own boat docks.

• Spend an afternoon at Frank E. Mackle Community Park, where you and your kiddos can play sand volleyball, basketball, bocce, and shuffleboard. There’s also a splash pad, a pirate-themed playground and a small lake in this verdant family-friendly park
• Discover the island’s fascinating and intriguing history with a visit to Marco Island Historical Museum. For everyone’s favorite price of zero dollars, you can explore this museum and admire a ton of exceptional and educational exhibits
• Play a round of golf at the verdant Island Country Club
• Shop til you drop, and hunt for great shopping finds at Marco Town Center Mall
• Enjoy a picnic, and soak up the relaxing atmosphere of the overlooked Leigh Plummer Park

Best Budget Hotel in the East Side

Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites

An incredible and budget friendly historic Victorian-style hotel, Olde Marco Island Inn and suites features an on-site restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and selection of authentically designed rooms.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in the East Side

Marco Island Lakeside Inn

With spacious suites and villas, this budget-friendly hotel is truly a terrific choice for families and groups. Rooms are easy on the eye too, thanks to traditional designs and light-colored furnishings. The amenities are superb, and the location is exceptional. 

From the hotel, you can easily reach Marco Town Center Mall in less than 10 minutes on foot.

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Best Luxury Accommodation in the East Side

Canal Hideaway

Unfortunately, the East Side isn’t home to any luxurious hotels. You’ll have to head to one of the other neighborhoods for that. However, what it does have is incredibly luxurious holiday homes, including the Canal Hideaway. With a beautiful indoor swimming pool, a bright design, and a private dock area, you will really be living your lavish life here.

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Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Marco Island

Don’t let Marco Island’s size deceive you! Sure, it’s a bit small, compared to the other places to visit in Florida. But, it’s filled with adventures and diversions that will keep you occupied for days.

From a therapeutic day at the beach to salty and sunny boat rides, the possibilities for leisure and adventure in Marco Island are seemingly endless. Hopefully, these tips and recommendations will help you experience an epic vacation on this island. 

Is there something that you’d want to share with us? Please let us know via the comment section below!

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