Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa Completes $187 Million Renovation, Largest Marriott Capital Investment

Marco Island, FL (PRWeb) January, 2007 -- Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa is in the homestretch of a $187 million renovation, the largest capital investment of any Marriott property. Spanning three years, the massive nine-figure project encompasses virtually every inch of the world class beach-front resort.

Many aspects of the monumental makeover of the Marco Island hotel were done with the leisure market in mind, which comprises nearly 50 percent of the resort's guests. Highlights of the $187 million investment include the creation of the 24,000-square-foot Spa at Marco Island, a total overhaul of the Quinn's and Tiki Pools and a complete redesign of The Rookery at Marco golf course, including the brand new Clubhouse.

"The astounding enhancements made to the property have raised the bar on each and every aspect of the resort and the guest experience," said Rick Medwedeff, general manager. "The $187 million upgrades have solidified Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa as the perfect oasis for a luxurious retreat and a fabulous Florida beach vacation whether traveling as a duo or with the entire family in tow."

Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa epitomizes the culture and history of Marco Island and is the perfect island within an island escape.

"Marco Island itself is infused with Balinese flavor and the hotel was originally designed with this theme in mind," said Medwedeff. "The resort has been revamped to elaborate on this theme and to make use of the Balinese sense of harmony, balance and hospitality, offering a sanctuary of relaxation, rejuvenation, discovery and play."

With staggering investments of $90 million in 2004, $20 million in 2005 and the final $77 million in 2006, the monumental makeover at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa began with the addition of a 24,000-square-foot, Balinese-influenced spa. The Spa at Marco Island features 24 luxurious treatment rooms and six seaside terraces. The lush oasis offers guests the opportunity to relax and indulge at a premier Florida Gulf Coast spa resort with a range of services from massage and facial treatments to nail care services and Bali Baths.

Adding to the resort experience, the hotel's two pools received overhauls. The Quinn's Pool was transformed into a free-form fantasy pool boasting two Jacuzzis and was relocated closer to the beach to offer guests a superior view of the Gulf of Mexico. Six private cabanas now circle the edge offering guests additional privacy while fully-equipped with plasma televisions and butler service. The Tiki Pool was also revamped with majestic waterfalls added. With these extensive renovations, the overall outdoor function space has increased by over 30 percent with ample room for tropical-themed parties on the Sunset Terrace. Using this space, the resort will host a weekly fire and water feature, a tribute to its Balinese history.

Offering a private golf experience, The Rookery at Marco was redesigned by the acclaimed Robert Cupp, Jr. The 18-hole course, outfitted with GPS-enabled golf carts which give golfers exact yardage and an overview of the hole, also features the Nick Faldo Golf School and the $8 million Clubhouse. As an Audubon-endorsed golf course, The Rookery at Marco is committed to conserving the ecosystem of Marco Island, focusing on birds, sea turtles and their natural habitats on the island.

For enhanced Marco Island restaurant dining options, Kurrents restaurant added two private VIP dining rooms, while Quinn's on the Beach and Tropiks restaurants were updated with new menu options and improved interiors. The South Tower was outfitted with 400 Pazzi's, an indoor/outdoor brick-oven pizzeria featuring café-style seating overlooking the Gulf of Mexico while the new Café San Marco, offering a menu of light refreshments, is located in the lobby. In addition, the brand new Clubhouse at The Rookery at Marco features the chic Rookery Steakhouse.

A new sense of arrival was created with enhancements made to the entrance including a million-dollar waterfall and lobby decor including granite, rich marble and dark wood furnishings. The entire resort received elegant lighting throughout. The renovation also included the introduction of upscale retail outlets including a ladies' boutique, men's clothier, a surf-to-sand shop and a gourmet-to-go store.

With the social and wedding market in mind, the three-year redesign also included a transformation of the resort's function space, increasing it to a total of 225,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art Palms Ballroom, measuring close to 10,000 square feet, was the featured addition, and the Capri and Island Ballrooms were also refurbished. From intimate gatherings to lavish receptions and Florida beach weddings for 2,000 guests, the Naples meeting hotel facilities can easily be transformed into the ideal setting for a variety of indoor and outdoor functions.

Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa's expansive renovation even extended outside the resort with the Collier Boulevard "Beautification Project" to widen streets and sidewalks, place telephone and power lines underground and line the median with palm trees and flora to mirror the resort's return to its Balinese roots.

Nestled on three miles of pristine southwest Florida white sand beaches, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club and Spa is the perfect island within an island escape. Caressed by tropical breezes and inspired by a Balinese sense of harmony, balance and hospitality, this is simply, paradise found. From the magnificent new Quinn's Pool, surrounded by lush landscaping and outdoor dining and meeting spaces, to our elegant spa, private resort Rookery Golf Course, and our luxurious rooms and lanai suites that overlook the dazzling Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island Marriott is the sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, discovery and play. Our attentive concierge service, choice of shopping, dining and recreational activities makes this Marco Island hotel the choice for memorable business meetings or unforgettable family vacations. For reservations and more information, call 800-GET-HERE, or visit http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MRKFL.

* Rates are based on availability and do not include tax or service charge.

###