Eagles Nest Beach Resort

Eagles Nest Beach Resort is on Marco Island. This resort is the 3^rd resort I am visiting on this amazing beach vacation on the West Coast of Florida. Today I will be transferring from another Hilton Grand Vacations Resort to the Eagle’s Nest location.

Video by USA Open House

Day One Arrival at Eagles Nest Beach Resort

As I did just a few days ago when I transferred to the Hilton brand of resorts on this vacation. Today I have planned out my morning and afternoon to fill the time between checkout at 10 AM at the first resort and check-in at 4 PM here.

My mind used to feel like you should only pack your bags when going home from a vacation. But now I can say I am really enjoying moving from one resort to another. It almost feels like I am on a cruise, going from port to port.

Check out these reviews for this resort for yourself.

We really enjoyed this resort. They have had activities for all ages and the staff are very friendly. Basketball, pool volleyball, we were able to play tennis with their rackets since we didn’t have ours. Indoor workout center, areas in the resort to sit and relax, and play chess, or checkers. Kids’ area for ping-pong and pool table.
2 hot tub areas outside. I would highly recommend this place. We definitely will come back!

Have been visiting Eagles Nest annually in the spring and fall for more than thirty years. It is always a welcome site, a well-kept facility, and well-managed property. And more important now, many good friends and neighbors. The kids and grandkids truly love visiting and look forward to all opportunities to be there.

Eagle’s Nest Beach Resort was one of the nicest resorts I’ve ever stayed at, and my favorite resort on Marco Island thus far. I stayed with my family through Hilton Grand Vacations and I couldn’t have been more impressed. The room was beautiful and very clean. The room came with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a full kitchen, laundry, and a beautiful enclosed balcony. The balcony overlooked the pool, and it had a nice view of the Gulf of Mexico. The balcony was awesome for stormy nights. The resort also has its own beach which you can use. The pool itself was very nice and also had two hot tubs. There was also a snack stand. The resort offers were just amazing and I hope to go back soon.

Excellent amenities inside the very spacious suite! I felt very at home in this wonderful tropical oasis! Planned activities for all ages, poolside food menu was great! Being able to rent chairs/ umbrellas at the beach was a major plus! Plenty of parking on both sides of the tennis courts. And just a few blocks/ few minutes down the street were some great restaurants & ice cream shops! We certainly plan to stay here again on our next big family vacation!

Today as I spent some time before it was checked in time. I walked on the beaches of Marco Island. Even when you are coming here from another island nearby, Marco seems to be better for shelling.

Shelling is one of the best things to do on Marco island. The beaches of Marco island are famous for having some of the best shelling and attract shell seekers from all over the. world what else to do in this beautiful place.

Once I had searched and found a few of the perfect shells, it was time to get something to eat.

I stopped for lunch at Quins on the beach. I had fish tacos that were made with fresh Mahi Mahi and were awesome. When washed down with a few margaritas, they were even better. Next thing you know, it is time to check in at the resort.

My room was huge at 960 sq ft for a 1 bedroom. That is something I do appreciate. When you have been blessed to stay at many resorts, you find that size does matter, and the more room you have in a villa, the more at ease you feel. Literally, being able to stretch one’s legs is wonderful.

Villa Amenities

Then the resort itself offers all of these options.

Resort Amenities

Day Two Jet Ski

The first thing I can recommend doing is renting a jet ski or a boat and a take ride on Marker canals, of Marco island, has a hundred miles of man-made canals. On a jet ski, you can enjoy the beautiful houses that are located along the canals. You might even spot manatees, sea otters, alligators, crocodiles, storks, brown and white pelicans, herons, egrets, and more.

I can tell you one thing that will wake you up on a jet ski trip is seeing an alligator. I do not think I have read any safer in my entire life. Back straight, legs tight on the sides, and the throttle seemed to twist itself. As long as you keep your wits about you and stay moving, you are fine.

Also, don’t be surprised if you are accompanied by dolphins. Local dolphins always seem to have an interest in tourists. Perhaps they consider themselves ambassadors to the sea?

I did not see dolphins on this trip, but I have on several occasions to this area in the past. They seem to love the calmer waters of the western coast of Florida.

After my jet ski experience, I was ready to spend some time just cooling out on the beach. I grabbed a chair and umbrella so I did not burn to a crisp. There was a nice breeze, and the afternoon turned to the early evening before I even thought about going in and changing.

After a hot shower, I realized that my time on the jet ski did earn me a little burn. Not bad, but enough to glow red when I came out of the shower, and during the shower to feel that fire crackle sensation when the water first hit areas of flesh.

Luckily, my burn was not that bad, and the pain stopped almost as fast as it started. I did come out doing my best impression of a lobster in about a year or so. With all the summer sunburns over the years, especially when I was young, I have been very fortunate not to have skin cancer. I think my skin is thanking me for time off during the winters in Virginia.

It was time for an early dinner and a few drinks. Luckily, all around the resort are great restaurants. Just look at Google maps, there are many in the area. Inside tip, if they do not show a dollar sign next to them, do not visit unless you have deep pockets.

I went to Stonewall, and I was impressed not only with the value but the many choices on the menu. I ended up with their chicken parmesan and was a happy man. It was well prepared, and the sauce was a keeper.

In addition to a great dinner menu, they have an attractive breakfast menu so I may have to come back.

Day Three Beach Time

The resorts here on Marco Island are almost the only ways to access the beach. There are just 3 public beach access points on the entire island. Here the residents who do not have a property on the beach can pay a fee and join a resident’s beach access program to get access to several other beach areas in addition to the public access beaches.

What this means for you is that you will experience uncrowded beaches because, for the most part, the only people you see are residents or people like you who are staying at the resorts.

Without TZort, these resorts are hard to get into as well. While John Public can get it, the resorts book and sell fast because most owners here use their vacation spots for themselves and their families.

Marco Island offers a great deal, but nearly private beaches with great ocean access and views are hard to measure for their value. There is nothing like peace of mind and an uncrowded beach.

Visit a Nature Center

Not far from Marco is the Briggs Nature Center in Naples, FL. It is worth the short drive North. Here you can get closer to a wider view of nature that feels a little safer than my Jet Ski trip and is good for all ages. The guides recommend you stay on the elevated walkways and with the gator, I saw on my jet ski, I think it is a great idea.

If you want the best island vacation in Florida, mark this one on your list and make sure you book it through Tzort.