The Spread:

Find the best rate at the: Marco Island Marriott Resort Golf Club & Spa here.

A half-hour south of Naples on the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Marco Island's famous crescent beach makes the ideal sandbox. The sands reach their widest point at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, where kayaking, jet-skiing, sailing, parasailing, and, of course, sandcastle building keep beach lovers busy. Well-appointed, generous-sized rooms and suites, 781 in all, stack up in two tall towers that bracket the central pool area.

Why Families Love It:
Kids happily splash at the new, zero-entry Tiki Pool, a waterscape with fountains, a slide, a waterfall, and rock grottoes. A separate pool gives adults their quiet time, or they can slip off to play golf nearby or indulge in the hotel's Balinese-style spa.

Family water-slide bingo, hermit crab races, and similar activities take place daily around the pool. The Tiki Tribe program keeps kids ages five to 12 occupied from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a cost of $30 for the first child, with reduced fees for additional children in the same family. The Tiki Tribe club room is near a game room, the ping pong tables, and the pizza-ice cream shop, a handy place for families. Also a splash with families, free "dive in" movies take place at the pool every Saturday night starting 30 minutes after sunset.

For evening getaways, parents can take advantage of the resort's in-room nanny service, but there's a three-hour minimum.

Special Activities & Events:
Family boating excursions provide one of the best ways to explore Marco Island's world of watery fun. Opportunities range from Waverunner Eco-Tours to sailing and shelling tours of offshore islands. The region is known for its fishing and the Marriott can hook you up with a tour or charter.