I took my wife and two sons (15 & 21) to the Marriott Bay Harbor Resort for 8 nights in June of 2004. The hotel is first-class in every way. The concierge was extremely helpful in suggesting restaurants, golf, deep-sea fishing. My older son caught a 9 foot hammerhead shark on our fishing trip. The beach was phenomenal and the pool was very large with more than an adequate number of chairs-we never had to look for a place to sit. We ate in the 3030 Restaurant on the final night and it was excellent. The other restaurant, the Riva, was very good on the breakfast buffet (should be for $15).

The only negatives I can come up with are that the rooms are standard size, nothing special. Also, everything is fairly expensive. $22 a day for valet parking was a little steep but since it was $17 a day for self park, I went ahead and splurged. I had booked on an American Airlines vacation (run of the house room) so I called ahead before we left to upgrade my room to an ocean view room. It was $30 extra per night but to me it was well worth it.

All in all, I highly recommend this resort.

I stayed here a few months ago and will return again. The pool, beach, and spa were especially relaxing. The staff, from check-in to check-out were especially wonderful and professional. We witnessed staff handle an irate guest and then move on to greet the next guest w/ a smile. This had to be difficult! We let them know that we noticed and appreciated their efforts!

Nice hotel layout, we had a small oceanfront room with a beautiful view. Very accomodating staff when booking unexpected extra nights in a full hotel... Beautiful comfortable lobby with oceanviews, nice large pool but no chairs available no matter what time of day we arrived and screaming kids everywhere. I would stay again for the beach, watersports and bonfire's with smores. Starbucks takeout in the lobby is convenient but crowded, the staff tries. The location is excellent, far enough from the strip with security at the gates, but a five minute drive to the causway for shopping, dining, manicure, etc.. The food is typical Marriott mediocre. We had one meal at the bar in the lobby, 2 Seafood cocktails (shrimp + clams) and two drinks in the neighborhood of $100. The shrimp weren't even jumbo size. I would definitely go back but dine outside the hotel. One other issue I had was the missing screens on the patio doors, small bugs come and go all night if you simply must enjoy the ocean breeze.

Get away from all the hubbub of S Florida here. We stayed here for 5 days over Memorial Day 04, and felt like we were in another world. Peacefull and blissfull. Isolated from the rest of the city, yet 5 minutes away to the best dining in the city, The pool and beach area were excellently maintained although a large crowd was present. Even fresh ice water with lemon amply available at the pool to keep cool. Staff from beachbopys/girls to concierge were extremely pleasant and helpfull.
5Stars!