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The Westin Cape Coral: World-class resort in the heart of the city

5 min read

Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd., recently was recognized by Starwood Preferred Guest, a program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., as a top destination from among nearly 1,200 hotels and resorts.

It was the latest in a series of recognitions.

General Manager Eric Ashton said he was thrilled to be recognized as a Top 10 Resort in the United States, as well as Best for Family Adventures.

“The best family adventure was a global one,” he said. “It put us in really great company, so I was very proud.”

The Westin Kids Club, an 800-square-foot space, was added to offer a place for families to do crafts with their children, 4 to 12 years old, as well provide youngsters with an opportunity to play games and interact with the club’s supervisors. Some of the activities include indoor and outdoor adventures and creative crafts.

Ashton said out of 1 million people who voted, only 67 hotels were among the resorts who received awards.

“It’s drawing great attention to us,” he said of the prestigious recognition. “It’s a huge honor.”

Some of the other categories included Best Golf Getaways, Best Beach & Island Retreats, Best Winter Escape, Best City Experience and Best Small Luxuries.

Ashton said the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village joined the community on Dec. 13, 2012.

“That is when the flag officially went up,” he said.

The property was built in 2009 and 2010 during the recession with 267 rooms. Since Westin took over the property, it turned one of the rooms into a Presidential Suite and four into “break-out rooms,” leaving a total of 263 rooms. Of those, there are 83 traditional units with two double beds and a small refrigerator. The remaining 183 rooms have full kitchens and a washer and dryer in either a one-, two- or three-bedroom unit.

The “breakout rooms,” which have a capacity of 50 individuals for meeting spaces, opened April 1. Ashton said four groups have already used the rooms.

“Since we came in, it has grown substantially in terms of amenities,” he said, adding that the product was already fantastic with beautiful suites and screened, private balconies.

All suites feature a fully appointed kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances and an open floorplan including a living room and dining room.

In addition to adding heavenly products like vibrant shampoos and conditioners and plushly soft towels, Ashton said they also added a Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio, providing individuals a fitness solution. The studio provides equipment for running, jogging and walking; bicycling; weightlifting; calisthenics and yoga.

Since November 2013, Southwest Florida Yachts began offering opportunities to charter a boat or have a captain go with them on their boat.

Ashton said they work closely with the owners of Esterra Spa & Salon to provide salon, manicure and pedicure services, as well as spa treatments.

The most widely used amenity is the Silver King Water Taxi, which takes guests to and from Fort Myers Beach. The taxi leaves at 10 a.m. and returns by 3 p.m. every day. Ashton said the taxi service, as well as bike rides, the Internet, access to the resort’s pools, tennis courts, bocce ball, and horseshoe pits, is all included in the resort service fee.

“It gives our guests much more options and something new and exciting to do every day,” Ashton said.

The property also offers 175 boat slips, which is expanding prior to this year’s tourism season with an additional 25 slips. There are opportunities for locals to use the slips, as well as transient slips for boaters coming in for lunch or dinner, or staying a few nights at the resort.

There are shopping opportunities as well at Lorne’s Gallery and Gallery 928, or at upscale women’s boutiques, She Sells Shoes & Resort Wear and Eva by the Sea. Coastal Elements, Inc., also provides unique gifts, jewelry and home decor.

Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro, as well as the Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill offer some decadent dining opportunities for guests.

Pinchers Crab Shack, which was recently included in the dining experience, Ashton said offers locally caught seafood.

Guests who wish to use the beautiful kitchens located within the suites, can pick up items like cheeses and meats from The Marina Village Trading Company.

“They can cook their own meals or go out to one of the local venues,” he said.

Ashton recently had his chefs add a secret menu item for guests. He said the Canadian delicacy poutine has been a huge success. The original version of poutine is French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. The secret menu item also includes a loaded poutine and a grouper poutine.

Another amenity that has gained popularity is Westin’s destination wedding. Ashton said Westin offers a beautiful gazebo in the backyard area that overlooks the water. He said they have guests traveling from as far as Spain and Canada to get married at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.

“We try to have at least two every weekend,” Ashton said of Friday and Saturday weddings.

The bride and groom receive a guest suite as part of their wedding package, as well as a reception or sit-down dinner.

“You feel like you have the resort to yourself,” he said.

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village sits on a waterfront location within the Tarpon Point community and overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, the Caloosahatchee River and San Carlos Bay.

For more information, visit WestinCapeCoral.com. n