Marco Island Escape

After a long cold winter I am sooo ready for some sun, fun and a last minute beach getaway! Perfect timing for this amazing travel opp that came my way with JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. With their new SPA by JW and wellness program introduced last year, it seemed like the perfect fit! I could get some much-needed R&R, along with outdoor fitness activities for adventure seeker like me!

SO, I packed my bags and hopped on a short flight from NYC to this amazing lux destination. After checking into our AMAZE room with a view of the ocean and a welcome basket filled with fresh picked flowers and fruits from the resort’s garden, I was welcomed with an express massage to get right into vacation mode. It was just what I needed to recharge and leave my busy NYC brain behind.

All of the spa’s treatments are organized by these four distinct states: renew, calm, invigorate, and indulge, with express and full-length treatments available. Whether you want to relax after a long trip, or indulge in a well-deserved retreat, you can personalize your own spa experience to suit you! I especially loved booking a 90-minute massage mid-trip to help soothe my sore muscles and also to help to calm my mind that is so used to being in go-mode. After the treatment I took a dip in the adult-exclusive spa pool for some quiet time followed by a delish and refreshing lunch overlooking the ocean. I find that when I travel it’s sometimes hard to stick to my healthy eating habits, but there were so many options from breakfast to dinner that allowed me pick smart menu choices— minus the occasional wine and fries! 🙂

Each day I was able to participate in a fun fitness activity that kept me on track with my usual fitness regime. I loved the early morning beach yoga classes led by the adorable Calvin. It really got my blood flowing as the sun came up. I also LOVED trying pool yoga on BOGA mats for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised at how challenging and fun it was. It forced me to engage my legs and core much more than I would in a yoga class on land. I could actually feel different muscles being worked that are not normally challenged in a regular yoga class. And, if I felt like just heading out to see the sites while getting a little extra cardio workout, I’d go for a long beach run as the sun was going down.

Some days I ventured off to more adventurous water sports like stand up paddle boarding and experimenting with yoga moves and inversions on the SUP board! Paddling in the calm ocean with dolphins jumping at sunset was a spectacular way to end the day. My Hubs and I were provided our own private pool and beach cabanas that gave us our very own space where we could wine and dine by the water all day long!

After our sun-filled days we always experienced delish dinners created with fresh fruits and veggies from their local farm and gardens. My favorite night was when we experienced a custom dinner at ARIO! It’s led by Gerald Sombright, Season 14 top Chef Contestant! We sat at the chef’s table where we were personally greeted by the chef so he could learn more about our menu likes and dislikes. He then created an AMAZE personalized multi-coursed menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and each dish was paired with one of their special cocktails and wines from their wine tasting room! It was beyond DELISH! And the octopus was some of the best I’ve EVER had! After our meal we were invited to the back of the house to get a special tour of their dry-aging room, and learn more about the dry-aging process of their steaks. It was such a cool experience and I loved getting the royal treatment for the entire meal!

The whole trip was such a pleasant and rejuvenating experience. I especially loved that we did’t feel the need to go off property and look for other restaurants and activities. There were so many options available like fun excursions, plenty of special and delicious food choices and a staff that was super friendly, welcoming, and genuinely eager to help us at any given time.

I had THE BEST time and can’t wait to come back in the fall. That’s when they are scheduled to open their brand new 93-room adult-exclusive tower featuring an event space, rooftop, oceanfront pool, gourmet restaurant, and an indoor entertainment center with a bowling alley, virtual games and more!