Need help with resort recommendations in Sanibel

Planning a trip to Sanibel with my husband for March, 2007. We have never been there. Looking into the following hotels: Sanibel Inn, Song of the Sea, Seaside Inn. Are they all located on the beach? Is one nicer than the others - I think I read that one of these might be a motel?? Any other recommendations for a nice small resort in Sanibel?

Need help with resort recommendations in Sanibel

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Need help with resort recommendations in Sanibel

Sanibel has a number of nice small resorts on the beach including all of the ones you named. None are motels, though they have some efficiency type rooms. Of the 3, Sanibel Inn is the largest with the widest range of accommodations, from cottages to condos. Song of the Sea is more like a B%26amp;B and the rooms do run a tad small. Seaside Inn does have the some efficiency type rooms, but not what I would call %26#39;motel%26#39; rooms and they have cottages. All three were recently rennovated. The condos at the Sanibel Inn are now called 2 bedroom residences. Sanibel Inn also has a restaurant with live jazz entetainment - Ellington%26#39;s.

I have never stayed at any of these properties as I usually rent houses and before that I took condos. I know the Sanibel Inn better as I stayed across the street in a house a couple of years ago.

All of these places are now owned by Blackstone, a private management company that has a portfolio of upscale resorts. They also aquired South Seas Resort on Captiva in the deal as well as the Sundial and Best Western Sunset Beach - now just Sunset Beach. All 3 are located on the east end of Sanibel where the island is a bit more developed with private homes around a series of man-made canals. All have good repeat business. Pricey in winter. A small condo complex or cottage may be more economical, but will lack the services.

There are some lovely cottages on Sanibel, some direct from owner with 1 week rentals. You may want to check them out as well. Cottage 2 or 6 at White Caps are very nice, but the complex has no pool. See www.VRBO.com or www.cottages-to-castles.com for those and some others on the beach.

I also suggest you use www.sanibel-captiva.org the Chamber of commerce website for agencies, direct from owner, cottages, and other accommodations all under Where to Stay.

I have stayed at Song of the Sea and it was ok. Sort of like an efficiency with small kitchen being in same room as bed. The bathroom was extremely small. They did have a nice continental breakfast and the pool was great. It was well lit, so we swam after dark with no complaints.

A place I don%26#39;t see much written about is Sanibel Moorings. We rented a beautiful condo there for less than Song of the Sea. Of course that was a few years ago, so I don%26#39;t know if prices have changed. We were on the ocean side with ocean view. The grounds and condo were absolutely beautiful, and the welcome basket on the table when we got there was a nice added plus. We were there in summer, so there were a lot of kids, but they did have an adult swim daily. Also did not have washer/dryer in room , but the laundry room was very near. You can also rent condos on a daily basis vs weekly if you prefer. When we go back this fall, this is where we will probably stay.

If you are planning a simple, laid-back holiday for just the two of you, Sanibel Inn may just fit the bill. My oldest son and d-i-law stayed there a couple of nights in May after leaving the condo they had rented for a week and found it to be very enjoyable.

If you are staying a full week and want a little more room and a beautiful view, you might want to look at the 4th floor, one bedroom units at Ocean%26#39;s Reach. Not a full service resort (restaurant, bar, and such), but RIGHT on the beach with pool, tennis, and some other amenities. For an example check out:

www.sanibelgulffrontcondo.com

That is one of my son%26#39;s condos (1b4) and I am not promoting it as I know it is fully booked for March, 2007...just a nice example. If you like the idea, go to the oceans reach website at www.oceansreach.com and check out similar location in the other three buildings there (2b4, 3b4, 4b4)

Good Luck!