Marriott Crystal Shores?

[Smooth Air]

Hello,

Thinking of changing things up for our next Florida visit. We usually go to the East coast but we are considering West coast.

How would you compare Marriott Ocean Pointe (where we usually go) with Marriott Crystal Shores on Marco Island where we are considering going?

Any and all comments appreciated.

Smooth Air

 

[UK Fan]

I am excited to see the responses to your inquiry because we are going to Crystal Shores for the first time in a couple of months.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

The resorts and beaches are different. So if your asking for a popularity vote then my vote is for Crystal Shores.

Here is why we like it better:

1. More dedicated beach activities (wave runners, parasail, kayaks, tours, etc.)
2. You don't have to leave the island or use a car for fine dinning.
3. We use the SPA at the Marriott hotel every trip.
4. The movie theatre is across the street.
5. We can bring our boat and dock it at the marina for a reasonable cost.
6. Oceanfront at Crystal Shores is OCEANFRONT. You don't have to look for the ocean between the trees and landscaping or be on a certain floor.
7. Great sunsets
8. Calmer waters in the Gulf than the Atlantic Ocean
9. The city always organizes great events and entertainment throughout the year on the beach.
10. The gym overlooks the Ocean on the 14th floor and has dedicated showers for day use visits.

FT

 

[Mamianka]

Hello,

Thinking of changing things up for our next Florida visit. We usually go to the East coast but we are considering West coast.

How would you compare Marriott Ocean Pointe (where we usually go) with Marriott Crystal Shores on Marco Island where we are considering going?

Any and all comments appreciated.

Smooth Air

We also will be there for our first time, starting Aug. 30. Got it CHEAP on points - 2,000 - compared to what it costs in top season.

M

 

[tlwmkw]

Crystal Shores is beautiful- gets my vote too. The villas are enormous and have a huge balcony with very nice furniture. The wall opens up and slides back so the balcony is really part of your living space. Do get the oceanfront- it is worth the extra points. We were in an end unit (1205) and there was wrap around balcony. Love this resort.

tlwmkw

 

[dioxide45]

Crystal Shores is nice, but not a place I would want to spend a week. Perhaps 4-5 days though. We did enjoy ourselves, but found that the island was lacking. Perhaps with only two days to spend, we didn't have enough time to really explore?

Though the beach is great and the shelling is fantastic. Crystal Shores is a great resort, glad we went, but probably won't rush to go back. Also perhaps because it costs so many DC points and getting an exchange in there through II is very difficult.

 

[suzannesimon]

I have never been to Crystal Shores, but have been to Marco Island. I just think the Gulf is a much more beautiful and clean body of water. You can actually pretend you're in the Caribbean.

 

[Smooth Air]

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds wonderful!

Does Crystal Shores provide chairs on the beach?

Can you pls recommend a few good restaurants within walking distance of CS?

What is the closest major airport? And, how long a drive is it from the airport to Crystal Shores?

Smooth Air

 

[dansimms]

East coast vs west coast of Florida

I have not stayed at the Marriott on Marco, but have seen enough of east coast and west coast to know I prefer the diversity of the east coast. I also prefer the surf of the east coast. It's great to have both in the program to choose from. I'd rather get a better version of Marco in the Caribbean or where I am right now, Abaco, Bahamas.

 

[ArubaMon]

Congrats on trying a new (and wonderful) part of MVCI. . .we find that to be a big part of the experience. Haven't stayed at Crystal Shores, but we've toured it and have stayed at the Marriott just up the beach. Marco is pretty laid back, without as many ancillary things to do as West Palm Beach, but if you like the beach, you'll be very happy in Marco. Closest major airport is Fort Myers, about an hour north. If better fares warranted it, you're about two hours from Miami/Ft Lauderdale/West Palm. It's been a few years, so I'll let the others comment on restaurants, etc. Enjoy!

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I have not stayed at the Marriott on Marco, but have seen enough of east coast and west coast to know I prefer the diversity of the east coast. I also prefer the surf of the east coast. It's great to have both in the program to choose from. I'd rather get a better version of Marco in the Caribbean or where I am right now, Abaco, Bahamas.

Are you staying at the Abaco Club on Winding Bay?

FT

 

[Mamianka]

Crystal Shores is nice, but not a place I would want to spend a week. Perhaps 4-5 days though. We did enjoy ourselves, but found that the island was lacking. Perhaps with only two days to spend, we didn't have enough time to really explore?

Though the beach is great and the shelling is fantastic. Crystal Shores is a great resort, glad we went, but probably won't rush to go back. Also perhaps because it costs so many DC points and getting an exchange in there through II is very difficult.

You know, we have that same feeling about a few places - we get antsy after 4-5 days if there is nothing stimulating (for us . . ) to do. We have tried supporting local classical music - but we are spoiled rotten; we are professionals in classical music, and live near NYC - but honestly, we are not really snobs. MOST FUN we have had lately was at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, AZ - what hoot! and a great player, besides. My husband is a little more jade d- he still says "What is the difference between Florida and yogurt? Only one of them has live culture . . "

 

[dansimms]

Abaco Winding Bay

Yes. This is our second vacation at Abaco Club at Winding Bay. Gorgeous property! We will head to Elbow Cay for our last 2 days to change this up a bit. the marina area at Marsch Harbour is a very pleasant surprise. We will definitely come back again in the future. Some talk here about becoming part of another luxury fractional ownership program, since it is no longer a Ritz run property. For the second time, it is unusually quiet here. Front desk says that 8 owners are in residence this week and it looks it. the cabanas here are the perfect romantic getaway for a couple . When you go through Nassau to connect to Abaco, take advantage of the far shorter customs line and save 20 minutes since you are making a domestic transfer within the Bahamas. Service and people are great here. No culture shock. A very warm and genuine class of people here and about on this natural island.

 

[normab]

We like both resorts, but there is a different feel. Ocean Pointe is very spread out, Crystal Shores is on a smaller footprint. OP seems more casual resort while CS has a high end resort feel. There are no free chairs on the beach. When we were there the ocean had lots of fine sand suspended, the water was not clear.

The CS units are more modern and have huge verandahs. We have always had problems needing maintenance at OP, it is just so big we think they can't keep up. CS was perfect. And the attitude of the workers was very Ritz Carlton-ish. Reminds me more of Oceana Palms....

We liked the CS easy walk to the beach and the small footprint, although the pools probably will get really crowded in high season when they complete construction. And we love the restaurants right across the street! We were 2 adults traveling, and noted there was a nice slide for the kids in one of the pools.

Two points I would make. If I were going with young children, I would probably prefer OP, because of the sprawling property, but that's me. And if I were going to CS in high season, I would plan on staying on the island because traffic is pretty dense.

 

[Smooth Air]

So @ CS do you have to rent beach chairs from the beach concession guys the way that you do @ Ocean Pointe?

I was hoping that CS wld be like Oceana Palms where they provide beach chairs.

We hate those old wooden chairs that we rent from the beach concession guys @ Ocean Pointe. They are uncomfortable and difficult to move around.
Recently we paid $100 for 3 days for 2 beach chairs and umbrella at Ocean Pointe and the guy kept stopping by to ask if we had paid. It was pretty annoying. "Yes, we paid you on Day 1". "Let me see...do I have you on my list? I remember you but do I have you on my list?" etc. etc.

 

[dioxide45]

So @ CS do you have to rent beach chairs from the beach concession guys the way that you do @ Ocean Pointe?

I was hoping that CS wld be like Oceana Palms where they provide beach chairs.

We hate those old wooden chairs that we rent from the beach concession guys @ Ocean Pointe. They are uncomfortable and difficult to move around.
Last time we paid $100 for 3 days for 2 chairs and umbrella and the guy kept stopping by to ask if we had paid. It was pretty annoying. "Yes, we paid you on Day 1". "Let me see...do I have you on my list? I remember you but do I have you on my list?" etc. etc.

It is my understanding that there are beach chairs and umbrellas to rent. One used to be able to charge them to their villa at CS, but that may have changed.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Its $90 rental for the week. You can still charge it to room.

FT

 

[Smooth Air]

Do you mean $90 for 6 days (the week) at Crystal Shores? If so, I wonder why Ocean Pointe beach chair rentals are so much more. As I said upthread, recently we paid $100 for 3 days @ Ocean Pointe (end of February, 2014)

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Do you mean $90 for 6 days (the week) at Crystal Shores? If so, I wonder why Ocean Pointe beach chair rentals are so much more. As I said upthread, recently we paid $100 for 3 days @ Ocean Pointe (end of February, 2014)

Yes, for the 7 days.

FT

 

[Smooth Air]

Thanks!
Are they comfortable beach chairs?

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Thanks!
Are they comfortable beach chairs?

They are standard beach chairs. We live in Florida so we bring our own.

One thing to make note of, is that they pick the chairs up around 5pm. We hate that but understand why they do it, that is why we bring our own so that we can sit some days until 8pm and watch the sunset well into the evening.

If this is important to you, then I would recommend going across the street and getting some cheap chairs for the week.

FT

 

[Smooth Air]

Thanks, FT!

Are the rental beach chairs @ CS the old, uncomfortable wooden ones like the ones @ Ocean Pointe?

We also hate it when the concession guys whisk the rental chairs away @ 5:00PM...best part of the day!

Good idea to buy beach chairs but don't they tend to be uncomfortable? And, it is a pain to lug them back & forth every day. We have done that @ Ocean Pointe. Then we just give them to the rec centre when we leave.

Smooth Air

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Thanks, FT!

Are the rental beach chairs @ CS the old, uncomfortable wooden ones like the ones @ Ocean Pointe?

We also hate it when the concession guys whisk the rental chairs away @ 5:00PM...best part of the day!

Good idea to buy beach chairs but don't they tend to be uncomfortable? And, it is a pain to lug them back & forth every day. We have done that @ Ocean Pointe. Then we just give them to the rec centre when we leave.

Smooth Air

Smooth Air,

They are not old or made of wood. They are those vinyl strapped ones. They are OK for me but I don't sit around on them more than a couple of hours a day. We move around a lot from the Pools to the beach to the restaurants, and back to the pools all day.

If you want to call the beach hut directly and ask about the chair rentals, tours, etc., here is their direct number on the beach:

Marco Island Water Sports at Crystal Shores: (239) 394-4344

We bring those light ones that are made specifically to be carried around the beach. No real problem bringing them down after 5pm.

FT

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks, FT!

Are the rental beach chairs @ CS the old, uncomfortable wooden ones like the ones @ Ocean Pointe?

We also hate it when the concession guys whisk the rental chairs away @ 5:00PM...best part of the day!

Good idea to buy beach chairs but don't they tend to be uncomfortable? And, it is a pain to lug them back & forth every day. We have done that @ Ocean Pointe. Then we just give them to the rec centre when we leave.

Smooth Air

We have never rented the ones at Ocean Pointe, mainly because they look so uncomfortable. When we go to Ocean Pionte, we usually don't hang out at the beach because of this. We tend to stick to the pools. Though the opposite was true when we were at Oceana Palms. the free strap loungers at the beach were great. I wish Ocean Pointe would implement something similar.

 

[Smooth Air]

Dioxide,
Yes, I totally agree and wish Ocean Pointe wld provide beach chairs the way they do @ Oceana Palms and other resorts such as Marriott Aruba Ocean Club. It's wonderful having comfortable chairs on the beach for use as long as you want to stay there!

The pools @ Ocean Pointe were extremely crowded when we were there end of Feb/14. We had trouble getting a chair b/c of all the "chair hogs" who throw their stuff on the chairs & wander away leaving the chairs unattended for hours. This was the case @ all 3 pools: Sailfish, Cobia and Kingfish. There was one couple at the Cobia pool who occupied 3 lounge chairs by the pool, 2 small side tables & one large table and 4 arm chairs in the same general area....all day, every day. Seven chairs, 2 small tables and a large table for 2 people....that's just inconsiderate and rude. They spent most of their time @ the table but left books, towels and newspapers on the pool loungers.

Smooth Air