Hotels in Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Sanibel & Captiva Central Reservations, Inc. (tel. 800/325-1352 or 239/405-7848; fax 239/405-7847; www.rescen.com) and Reservation Central (tel. 800/290-6920) are reservations services that can book you into most condominiums and cottages here.
In general, Sanibel and Captiva room and condominium rates are highest during the shelling season, February through April. January is usually somewhat less expensive. But note that most rates fall drastically during the off season; don't hesitate to ask for a discount or special deal then. Because most properties on the islands are geared to 1-week vacations, you can save by purchasing a package for stays of 7 nights or longer.
The islands' sole campground, the Periwinkle Trailer Park, 1119 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island (www.sanibelcamping.com; tel. 239/472-1433), is so popular it doesn't even advertise. No other camping is permitted on either Sanibel or Captiva.
Cottages
The islands have several Old Florida-style cottages that are charming, often affordable alternatives to hotels and condos. Some of the best are members of the Sanibel-Captiva Small Inns & Cottages Association. Contact the association (via its website only) at www.sanibelsmallinns.com for a listing.
Sitting between two condominium complexes off Middle Gulf Drive, Gulf Breeze Cottages, 1081 Shell Basket Lane, Sanibel (www.gbreeze.com; tel. 800/388-2842 or 239/472-1626), is a collection of clapboard cottages separated from the beach by a lawn with a covered picnic area and outdoor shower. One two-story building is divided into four efficiencies (the pick is no. 7, with a view of the Gulf from its big picture windows). Rates are $240 to $395 per day in winter, $140 to $295 off season.
Barely updated since the 1960s are the 32 pink-clapboard structures at Beachview Cottages, 3325 W. Gulf Dr., Sanibel (www.beachviewsanibel.com; tel. 800/860-0532 or 239/472-1202; fax 239/472-4720), the sister property to 'Tween Waters Inn. None of the cottages has a phone, and some have shower-only bathrooms. The outdoor pool is heated. Rates are $199 to $329 in winter, $169 to $239 during the off season. 'Tween Waters also owns the Castaways Beach and Bay Cottages, 6460 Sanibel-Captiva Rd. (www.castawayssanibel.com; tel. 800/375-0152), featuring waterview cottages and efficiencies on the Gulf and Sunset Bay.
On Captiva, Jensen's on the Gulf, 15300 Captiva Dr. (www.jensen-captiva.com; tel. 239/472-4684), rents homes and cottages year-round from $325 to $700 and Gulf- and gardenview suites from $165 to $465. Jensen's Twin Palm Resort & Marina (www.jensen-captiva.com; tel. 239/472-5800), on the bay near Andy Rosse Lane, has cottages ranging from $180 to $285 in winter and from $145 to $190 off season.
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10 Results
- Hotel
'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort
What used to be a circa-1931 collection of charming fishing cottages is today one of Captiva's most popular stays. The location is great, right across from the Gulf, with a variety of accommodations, a heated Olympic-sized pool, a children's pool, and hot tubs. Yes, plural. For that…$$Captiva
- B&B
Captiva Island Inn Bed & Breakfast
Located on Captiva's most commercial street—don't fret, it's not a strip mall, a shopping mall, or remotely like Times Square—this quaint little B&B is in need of a bit of TLC, but for location, it's ideal. It's just up the block from the beach (360 steps to be exact, but who's…$$Captiva - Hotel
Casa Ybel Resort
A seaside retreat for the likes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Casa Ybel Resort maintains a historic charm. The property is s ituated on 23 very well-manicured acres of beachfront, with magnificent views of the Gulf of Mexico. One of the buildings here was Sanibel's first inn,…$$Sanibel Island - Hotel
Island Inn
When Will and Harriett Matthews and their four kids settled on Sanibel Island in 1885, it wasn't much different than today, in that all their friends and relatives kept coming to visit to escape the hideous weather up north. To deal with this constant visitation, they turned their…$$Sanibel Island - Hotel
Sanibel Inn
A no-frills motel on the beach, the Sanibel Inn is a complex of low-rise buildings with recently renovated "nature-inspired" rooms, one-bedroom suites, and two-bedroom condos. Those who don't want to climb stairs should request a room on the first floor because there are no…$$Sanibel Island - Hotel
Sanibel Sunset Beach Inn
The sister property to Sanibel Inn, this hotel is also beachfront, but it's smaller, set on four acres of white sand beach. And that's sort of where the story ends. In need of some TLC, Sunset Beach Inn is far from luxury, but, if you hit it on a good stay, it's a comfortable, clean…$Sanibel Island - Hotel
Song of the Sea
The sister property to Sanibel Inn and Sunset Beach Inn, Song of the Sea sounds like an old Disney movie. While it may not have the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest, it's a serene Gulf-front Sanibel classic that receives a slew of repeat guests. With just 30 newly…$$Sanibel Island - Hotel
South Seas Island Resort
Cutting to the chase, this place is huge, situated on 335 acres—Captiva's entire northern third, in fact—most of which you will either have to drive or trolley through. The list of the resort's many, many accommodations is huge, too, with descriptions running from "beach villas,"…$$Captiva Island - Hotel
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Following a 2013 renovation, Sundial is fine-tuned, making for a fine stay for those looking for one-, two-, and three-bedroom condo suites. Views overlook either the one mile of beachfront or landscaped gardens. Rooms are beachy clean and condo-like (in other words, you …$$Sanibel Island - Hotel
Tarpon Tale Inn
Old Florida charm is alive and well at this rustic inn that dates back to the early '60s. With just five attached bungalows, all with whitewashed wicker and rattan furniture and large, updated bathrooms, Tarpon Tale is a place to go for peace and quiet. New owners Joe and Dawn Ramsey…$Sanibel Island
