Marco Under Water?? / Hurricane Ian-impacted reservations ? [MERGED]

[TravelTime]

Does anyone know how Marco Island did on the island in general? If infrastructure is majorly damaged around Crystal Shores, then it might not be a good idea to go in general.

 

[dioxide45]

Does anyone know how Marco Island did on the island in general? If infrastructure is majorly damaged around Crystal Shores, then it might not be a good idea to go in general.

From what I read, the two Publix grocery stores on the island are open as well as the Winn-Dixie grocery and pharmacy. As of the time I read the article, no gas stations were open yet. So it seems that some of the island has power, or the grocery stores are running on generator power.

 

[Zagrid094]

According to the most recent outage map reported by Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) that services Marco Island, power has been restored to almost half the island. Several photos were posted on a Marco Island Facebook page including one showing that power is back on at Crystal Shores. These photos were taken yesterday evening. See below.

Unfortunately, some areas of the island suffered more damage than others. Here is a tweet posted on the Naples Daily News reporting that the Snook Inn was severely damaged during the storm.

 

[LMD]

I just got back from Marco about 30 minutes ago. We had some family condos to check on over near Sunrise Bay. There is definitely a lot of clean up that has to go on but you can drive around the island and one of the gas stations is open (the one over by Anglers Cove) I did not ride over by the beach but will be back down there in the next few days and will check it out.

 

[ilene13]

I live in Lakewood Ranch which is just East of Sarasota. The storm was awful- 18 hours of 150+ mile an hour winds. Thank goodness for hurricane shutters and whole house generators- we have both. The shutters were very necessary but we never lost power. I have friends a mile away who still do not have power or internet. There is a lot of landscaping damage throughout the area. The grocery stores have NOT gotten deliveries so if you are coming down here don't count on grocery shopping and cooking. Also many gas stations are out of gas. In addition I 75 is closed from exit 193-exit 179 due to the flooding of the Myakka River. I just received notice that a levee has burst on that river and since I live in Manatee County they said that we will not be effected.
Not to be nasty but I am sorry if your vacation plans have been ruined by Ian, but 100's of thousands of lives have been disrupted here. Right now with a shortage of gas and food we don't need visitors complaining that their plans have to be altered. We consider ourselves to be the lucky ones but many have lost their homes and livelihood.

 

[DanCali]

Unfortunately, some areas of the island suffered more damage than others. Here is a tweet posted on the Naples Daily News reporting that the Snook Inn was severely damaged during the storm.

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Unfortunately, many of the older buildings get totally destroyed in a natural disaster like this.

Building codes post Hurricane Andrew (1992) are a lot stricter and more hurricane resistant. I may be wrong, but it seems like Snook Inn predates that.

Here is how much that can matter - from when Cat 4 hurricane Michael hit the FL Panhandle in 2018.

Source: Editorial: Toughen Florida's building code (tampabay.com)
(the article argues that South Florida building codes should be applied to the Panhandle, which is somewhat less strict in their codes).

 

[TravelTime]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/09/30/hurricane-ian-damage-photos-videos/

Caption says: In Marco Island alone, more than 5,000 buildings were affected by the flood.

I would not have imagined that Marco Island was big enough to have 5,000 buildings.

 

[munthank]

Okay that is good. So if we cancel then we could use the points for Spring Break 2024. But that would be risky if we need to cancel so close to expiration. Now I can see why people say it is good to bank points into a future use year if you get extra time to use them.

Problem right now is if we cancel Crystal Shores, it is hard to book anything for June 2023 since all the good locations would tend to be gone by now for 7-10 nights. I guess wait and see is best. I was looking at the Marco Island Facebook page and it looks like they might be up and running this year. Roads are still open and the flooding would affect 1st floor mainly.

@dioxide45 You are a MVC expert. Do you know if the first floor at Crystal Shores has any units? Is the garage underground?

No Unuts on ground floor. Parking garage is under building. One pool is below level of building. Have to take elevator to get there.

 

[dioxide45]

No Unuts on ground floor. Parking garage is under building. One pool is below level of building. Have to take elevator to get there.

Two pools are technically on the lower level. There is the Grotto Pool and the Lower Cascade Pool.

 

[rapmarks]

My cousin passed on that the condos right next to snook inn had water intrusion on first floor but only those closer to the river

 

[dioxide45]

Here is NOAA Hurricane Ian Imagery showing Crystal Shores. As suspected, it looks like water from the Gulf made its way into the lower pools but the upper pool is still blue. Given the color of the water in the Lower Cascades and Grotto Pools, it doesn't look like it was fully inundated. Looking at nearby homes and other resorts and their pools, it looks like this part of the island may have been spared significant surge.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I just got back from Marco about 30 minutes ago. We had some family condos to check on over near Sunrise Bay. There is definitely a lot of clean up that has to go on but you can drive around the island and one of the gas stations is open (the one over by Anglers Cove) I did not ride over by the beach but will be back down there in the next few days and will check it out.

@LMD, thanks for the update.

 

[TravelTime]

I read in an article I posted that there were 5000+ buildings damages in Marco Island. Does this make sense? Are there that many buildings in Marco Island? I assume they meant homes and other structures. If this is the case, how badly was Marco Island damaged?

 

[LMD]

My friend’s physical therapy practice is on the bottom floor of the yellow building. She said it was “bone dry” inside

 

[LMD]

 

[gln60]

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Thanks for the pics…That’s the J.W. Marriot…correct?

 

[LMD]

Thanks for the pics…That’s the J.W. Marriot…correct?

Yes it is the JW

 

[Superchief]

We had two reservations for Oct. 1. A 2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom. I talked to someone in "executive office" when I called the hotel phone line who told me they hope to open Monday or Tuesday and that I should change my points reservation to Monday, which I was able to do. Just a few minutes ago I got an email canceling the 2 bedroom reservation but not the 3 bedroom one. Maybe it's just a matter of time.

Please update us regarding whether you are able to check in tomorrow and the status of the resort. Thanks.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Please update us regarding whether you are able to check in tomorrow and the status of the resort. Thanks.

According to the hub the resort is still closed.
They give phone numbers to call for more info-

Resort Status | Marriott’s Crystal Shores | Marriott Vacation Club

View property and destination updates for Marriott’s Crystal Shores in Marco Island, Florida. Learn more about the current status of resort amenities and services.

hub.vacationclub.com

Southwest Florida airport (RSW) is due to open Wednesday (10/5))

There is a post on the Crystal Shores Facebook page saying callers are being told they are closed through Friday.

 

[Superchief]

According to the hub the resort is still closed.
They give phone numbers to call for more info-

Resort Status | Marriott’s Crystal Shores | Marriott Vacation Club

View property and destination updates for Marriott’s Crystal Shores in Marco Island, Florida. Learn more about the current status of resort amenities and services.

hub.vacationclub.com

Southwest Florida airport is due to open Wednesday.

I don't think they've updated the hub page in a few days. I've read other sources that power is restored in the area and I checked a few restaurants and they are open. Tomorrow was the check in date that KarenP was given, so I'm interested in whether it still occurs.

 

[TravelTime]

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What is the Marriott Crystal Shores like? Can you take photos in that area when you return?

 

[Superchief]

RSW Airport Update
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS READY TO OPEN
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2022) – Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida, will be opening on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, for limited commercial flight operations. There will be some changes we would like everyone to be aware of before coming to the airport.

• The initial hours of operation for security checkpoints at RSW will be between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. with flights operating between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Due to impacts from Hurricane Ian, please use caution and leave extra time to get to the airport. The roadways at RSW are open.
• Some of the many amenities you have come to expect at RSW may not be available when we first open. Concessions will have limited food and beverage and other items may be in short supply.
• Although restrooms will be open, we will not have drinking water available in the terminal until the boil water notice in our area has been lifted.
• For any questions about specific flights, please go to your airline directly as they will have the most up-to-date information.
• When you get to the airport, check to see what gate your airline will be using. Some airlines will be operating from different concourses than usual.
• The long- and short-term parking lots are open; however, shuttle buses may take a little longer.
• Rental car agencies will have limited operations. Please contact your agency for the most current information. If you are using an off-airport rental car agency or hotel shuttle, please contact them directly.
• Airport Plaza gas station and the 7-Eleven convenience store are open, but may have limited supplies.
• The airport is not a public shelter. We ask that only people traveling come to the airport.

We will continue to post operational updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the airport’s website, flylcpa.com. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and patience during this difficult time. Our #1 priority is your safety and we needed to make sure everything at RSW was ready to serve our travelers and the community.

 

[Superchief]

It's rather disappointing that MVC hasn't updated the hub page with the current status and expected reopening date. The hub still shows power being out in the area, which is no longer true. I checked the Google maps and all roads in the area are open. Many restaurants nearby are also open, with the exception of Da Vinci's (temporarily closed). Any update would reduce the number of people trying to call the resort or owner services. It would be very helpful if they posted an update regarding the current resort status, what needs to be done to reopen, and whether it will likely be closed for an extended period of time. Time and inventory are running out if alternative point reservations will be needed, so timely updates would help all of us. They should provide a daily status report on the hubsite.

 

[Fasttr]

It's rather disappointing that MVC hasn't updated the hub page with the current status and expected reopening date. The hub still shows power being out in the area, which is no longer true. I checked the Google maps and all roads in the area are open. Many restaurants nearby are also open, with the exception of Da Vinci's (temporarily closed). Any update would reduce the number of people trying to call the resort or owner services. It would be very helpful if they posted an update regarding the current resort status, what needs to be done to reopen, and whether it will likely be closed for an extended period of time. Time and inventory are running out if alternative point reservations will be needed, so timely updates would help all of us. They should provide a daily status report on the hubsite.

MVC is certainly consistently lacking in the area of timely communications.

 

[dioxide45]

It's rather disappointing that MVC hasn't updated the hub page with the current status and expected reopening date. The hub still shows power being out in the area, which is no longer true. I checked the Google maps and all roads in the area are open. Many restaurants nearby are also open, with the exception of Da Vinci's (temporarily closed). Any update would reduce the number of people trying to call the resort or owner services. It would be very helpful if they posted an update regarding the current resort status, what needs to be done to reopen, and whether it will likely be closed for an extended period of time. Time and inventory are running out if alternative point reservations will be needed, so timely updates would help all of us. They should provide a daily status report on the hubsite.

Marriott's HUB website just plain sucks. Not only does it not have updated information, it is also clunky to use and the resort list doesn't load as you start to type in a resort name. Here is what it says about Sheraton Vistana Villages in Orlando. The Key West pool isn't supposed to be closed until January but the dates for that pool closure overlap with the St Augustine Pool being closed.
From Sept. 5–13, 2022, the St. Augustine Pool will be closed for refurbishment. All other resort pools and amenities are expected to remain open during this time.

The Key West Pool will be closed for refurbishment from Sep. 5, 2022, through Oct. 13, 2022. All other resort pools and amenities are expected to remain open during this time