Insiders Review: Paradise by Sirene

If you’ve been following for any length of time, you know that the JW Marriott on Marco Island is our go-to for a day trip to either lounge at their spa pool or sip margaritas at our favorite, Quinn’s on the Beach. During our day trips, we’ve eagerly watched the resort’s newest addition, Paradise by Sirene constructed. This adult-only tower boasts a stunning fifth-floor Mediterranean restaurant, indoor/outdoor cocktail lounge, and pool with unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico. This tower also home to 10K Alley, a swanky gastropub, arcade, bowling alley, and mini-golf course for a little late night fun. To say we were excited to book a weekend here would be an understatement. 

Upon entering the resort, we were escorted to a private room where we were poured a glass of champagne and quickly checked in, which started our stay on an excellent note. We had a bit of a hiccup when we go to our room, and while it was nothing that ruined our weekend, it is worth noting. When booking a room, you can choose the type of room AND the view with the price going up or down depending on the combination. Because it was our fifth wedding anniversary and our first stay there, we opted for a room with a gulf view which online suggested a front-facing, unobstructed view of the beach. In actuality, it is a side-facing room that is angled towards the beach. The partial gulf view rooms than are just simply farther back though it seems that water can be seen from nearly all of them. While the nuance was disappointing, we were offered a credit to make up for the vague web descriptions. 

Insider Tip: When choosing a room/view combo, note that there are three variations: Partial Gulf View, Gulf View, and Gulf Front View. The word “front” is the small detail that determines whether your view will be a beach/resort combo or a beach/neighboring building combo with the latter being the least ideal option. If the view from your room is not important, save the money and opt for a Partial Gulf View. 

After quickly dropping our bags in the room, we headed straight for the pool and were greeted by attendants who quickly brought towels and bottled water to our chosen chairs. We, of course, chose chairs right up front because the view is just plain captivating. The attendants were friendly and extremely attentive, but the small details in their service were what impressed us the most. In addition to always making sure we had cold waters, attendants would regularly bring cool, mango-scented washcloths and small bites such as fruit skewers or the chef’s newest juice concoction. By the end of our stay, we had spent all three days from morning to late afternoon poolside, and it was glorious. 

For dinner, we opted for casual and enjoyed sushi from Korals the first night and a burger from 10K Alley the second night. The sushi was delicious (as it should be when you’re dining along the Gulf of Mexico), but the burgers took us by surprise. Though 10K Alley’s gastropub is surrounded by the flashing lights and buzzers of the arcade, the menu was creative and thoughtfully prepared, and while we ate, we couldn’t stop commenting on how good the food was. After dinner, we grabbed another beer and headed into the arcade where we lost ourselves in a heated competition. 

For a full Insider’s Review of 10K Alley, click here.  

Insider Tip: Order a side of unicorn sauce with your burger and fries! 

Last but not least, we must talk about the complimentary breakfast. Forget everything that comes to mind when you think “continental breakfast” or “complimentary breakfast buffet” because the breakfast put out every morning is anything but. From a chef preparing everything you desire (from crab cake benedict to avocado toast to classic pancakes) to an array of breakfast bites including chia pudding, smoked salmon, and charcuterie to freshly baked croissants and other pastries, this breakfast was stunning and really the only reason we didn’t sleep in like we usually do on vacation. 

As we waited for our Uber to arrive and take us home, we were surprised at how it felt that we had traveled somewhere far away versus the 20-minute drive over the Jolly Bridge. Paradise by Sirene truly is an experience, and we cannot wait for our next excuse to enjoy a weekend away. 

Visit: Paradise by Sirene

Address: 400 S Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145

Cheers!

Matt & Megan