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 home into a boarding house which, today, is the Island Inn. Nostalgia rules here, but thankfully the place isn't too steeped in tradition in that rooms have been remodeled, revamped, and brought into the 21st century with new flooring, flat-screen TVs, and modern bathrooms. As with most places in these parts, rooms have a beachy feel, with fans, white-beamed ceilings, and tropical greens and blues on the décor. The inn is situated on a large swath of unobstructed beachfront, and considering there are only 49 rooms in the entire place, it never feels crowded. Traditions on the Beach restaurant has received a much needed face-lift and now features a full bar, a cozy lounge with a fireplace, a new dining area, and a revamped seafood-heavy menu. Formerly seasonal, the restaurant is now open year-round. The food is good and the nightly entertainment is lively. Other perks here include a complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, beach chairs and towels, no resort fees, and free parking.
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 home into a boarding house which, today, is the Island Inn. Nostalgia rules here, but thankfully the place isn't too steeped in tradition in that rooms have been remodeled, revamped, and brought into the 21st century with new flooring, flat-screen TVs, and modern bathrooms. As with most places in these parts, rooms have a beachy feel, with fans, white-beamed ceilings, and tropical greens and blues on the décor. The inn is situated on a large swath of unobstructed beachfront, and considering there are only 49 rooms in the entire place, it never feels crowded. Traditions on the Beach restaurant has received a much needed face-lift and now features a full bar, a cozy lounge with a fireplace, a new dining area, and a revamped seafood-heavy menu. Formerly seasonal, the restaurant is now open year-round. The food is good and the nightly entertainment is lively. Other perks here include a complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, beach chairs and towels, no resort fees, and free parking.
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