Location: Sanibel Island
Top Hotels in Sanibel Island
Top Things to do in Sanibel Island
- 1. Sanibel Public Library
- 2. Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
- 3. Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
- 4. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
- 5. Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
- 6. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- 7. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
- 8. Sanibel Causeway
- 9. Sanibel Community Playground
- 10. Bowman's Beach
10 hotels in Sanibel Island: Best hotel deals for 2023
Most vacation spots are either relaxing (Tahiti) or family-friendly (Orlando). Sanibel Island, however, is that rare place which is both. Spend a quiet afternoon shell-collecting, or find a hotel with a kids' program so you can enjoy a trip to the spa or a round of golf.
Things to do in Sanibel Island
1. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3699 reviews
On the barrier island of Sanibel off Florida’s southwest coast, the resort is a unique tropical island destination with miles of shell-strewn beaches. Guests select from spacious accommodations complete with kitchen, living room & dining area. Voted Best Full Service Resort for several years in a row, Sundial offers an abundance of resort amenities & services. Directly onsite are award-winning restaurants including a Japanese Steakhouse and a sushi market. Resort amenities include tennis & pickleball courts, heated swimming pools, spa, sea school, kids club, marketplace & more. A daily resort fee includes kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, chairs & umbrellas, volleyball, tennis & pickleball equipment, fitness center and wifi. Sundial is a 2021 Trip AdvisorTraveler's Choice awardee.
Amazing Wedding Weekend at Sundial
Reviewed By sfinkel28My husband and I had the best destination wedding ever at The Sundial. The Sundial and our coordinator Francesca were amazing throughout the entire wedding planning process - from talking through the details on our contract to setting up all our details the day of wedding. We were in awe. We were supposed to get married on the beach with our toes in the sand, but due to a huge rainstorm the day prior, we moved the ceremony to the Lace Murex Lawn and the cocktail hour on the upstairs balcony and the reception fully indoors. It was 100% the right call. In fact, it was better than I could’ve ever imagined. Francesca said she had the Sundial’s engineering team do work to remove the large puddles around the lawn to make the new ceremony site work. I can’t say enough about Francesca. She answered all my emails quickly and clearly throughout the 15-month planning process. Booking rooms through reservations was also easy for all our guests. Our guests loved the ability to choose from the resorts 1,2 or 3 bedroom condos with fully stocked kitchens. Once we were there, everyone raved about the condos. They were clean, comfortable and accommodated everyone’s needs.
2. West Wind Island Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3043 reviews
West Wind Island Resort is a peaceful resort located on 500 feet of beach along the Gulf of Mexico, perfect for shelling. Choice of rooms includes standard guest rooms with garden or Gulf views; and guest rooms with kitchenettes, with garden or Gulf views. Resort guests enjoy dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner at our on-site restaurant, Normandie Seaside Cafe. Live music, food and drinks are served at our Upper Deck Pool Bar. Swim, shell and stroll our endless beach. Do laps in our large eco-thermal heated pool. As the closest hotel to J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, it's only a 10-minute bike ride through canopied trails to the entrance.
Post covid getaway
Reviewed By m0nica0410Lovely resort, clean, comfortable, relaxing. From the beach to the pool relaxation surrounded us. Great shelling, we found lots of beautiful unique shells, too! Plenty of activities to keep you busy if you like!! We saw the most spectacular sunsets & caught a double rainbow which was magnificent! It was a divine reprieve from daily life!
3. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3699 reviews
On the barrier island of Sanibel off Florida’s southwest coast, the resort is a unique tropical island destination with miles of shell-strewn beaches. Guests select from spacious accommodations complete with kitchen, living room & dining area. Voted Best Full Service Resort for several years in a row, Sundial offers an abundance of resort amenities & services. Directly onsite are award-winning restaurants including a Japanese Steakhouse and a sushi market. Resort amenities include tennis & pickleball courts, heated swimming pools, spa, sea school, kids club, marketplace & more. A daily resort fee includes kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, chairs & umbrellas, volleyball, tennis & pickleball equipment, fitness center and wifi. Sundial is a 2021 Trip AdvisorTraveler's Choice awardee.
Amazing Wedding Weekend at Sundial
Reviewed By sfinkel28My husband and I had the best destination wedding ever at The Sundial. The Sundial and our coordinator Francesca were amazing throughout the entire wedding planning process - from talking through the details on our contract to setting up all our details the day of wedding. We were in awe. We were supposed to get married on the beach with our toes in the sand, but due to a huge rainstorm the day prior, we moved the ceremony to the Lace Murex Lawn and the cocktail hour on the upstairs balcony and the reception fully indoors. It was 100% the right call. In fact, it was better than I could’ve ever imagined. Francesca said she had the Sundial’s engineering team do work to remove the large puddles around the lawn to make the new ceremony site work. I can’t say enough about Francesca. She answered all my emails quickly and clearly throughout the 15-month planning process. Booking rooms through reservations was also easy for all our guests. Our guests loved the ability to choose from the resorts 1,2 or 3 bedroom condos with fully stocked kitchens. Once we were there, everyone raved about the condos. They were clean, comfortable and accommodated everyone’s needs.
4. Sanibel Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1822 reviews
Experience an authentic, family-oriented Florida escape. Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Inn offers a variety of guestrooms, suites and two-bedroom condos with island inspired decor. Perfect for families seeking a relaxing beach hideaway, the Inn is nestled upon a pristinely natural setting. The whole family will enjoy the many complimentary activities available including historic bike tours, educational nature walks, nighttime stargazing, sunset kayaking, paddle boarding, shelling, Bocce ball and much more. Dining at Sanibel Inn features Dante’s Coal Fired Kitchen serving a tempting assortment of breakfast dishes and an expansive dinner menu with a full bar. For lunch, Island Time offers a fabulous menu of island-themed culinary creations and libations. Sports-enthusiasts can hit the links or the courts at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club and enjoy resort-guest access throughout your stay. For those seeking a more laid back visit, simply relax on the 600 feet of private beach with access to the rest of the coastline, or stroll to the isle’s unique boutique shops and restaurants. Live like an islander at Sanibel Inn and discover why Sanibel Island is ranked #1 Favorite Worldwide Destination by Arthur Frommer and #5 Top US Beach by Trip Advisor.
Beautiful Location.
Reviewed By gw759We had an excellent stay in May. We were pleased with the on-site bike rentals and Dante's restaurant. We signed up for the nature walk before we arrived and we really enjoyed this. Maggie and Jen are very passionate and knowledgeable about the local wildlife. We did see marsh rabbits on the short walk and when we went down to the shoreline we saw a stingray and even a pod of dolphins go by. It couldn't have worked out better. We can't wait for our next visit to the Island.
5. Seaside Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 999 reviews
Seaside Inn invites you to rediscover the charm of a quaint beachfront inn on beautiful Sanibel Island where life’s pace is slower. Unwind by the pool or enjoy a day at the beach looking for shells or soaking up the sun. Seaside Inn offers personalized service along with 32 newly renovated guestrooms, suites and cottages with interiors inspired by the sun bleached sand beyond the dune. Each guestroom and suite is furnished with a comfortable king or queen beds with views of the pool or beach. The cottages offer a separate living area with a new sleeper sofa, full kitchen and one bedroom with a king bed. Each cottage has a deck just off the living area to enjoy the Florida sun with family while overlooking the pool. Each day a complimentary continental breakfast basket is delivered to the rooms for the next morning’s enjoyment. While on Sanibel enjoy the wide variety of outdoor adventures. Spend time exploring the 23 miles of paved nature trails that wind through the wetlands with one of the bikes provided by Seaside Inn. Visit the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to view a wide variety of migratory birds and explore an unspoiled mangrove ecosystem. For more active play, Sanibel Island offers 18 holes of golf on 75 acres of natural lake view fairways and Audubon Cooperative Society wetlands at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. For play and relaxation, let Seaside Inn welcome you to the pace of island living.
We needed to get away!!
Reviewed By vallerym2016rooms a little dated but clean and comfortable. We had second floor gulf view, close to lovely beach and food, shopping, liquor store and market. Amber was the best hostess! clean pool and great complimentary coffee and breakfast items. Will definitely go back.
6. Beachview Cottages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 930 reviews
Nestled among graceful palms in a tropical hideaway directly on the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico, discover Beachview Cottages of Sanibel. Here, charming 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom seaside Sanibel cottages and studios from throwback Florida meet the wants and needs of today’s travelers for comfort, style and amenities. Enjoy the privacy of our Gulf-front location, along with recreational opportunities including heated pool, sun-worshipping beach chairs, bicycle rentals, the world’s greatest shelling, sunset strolling plus numerous nearby options including golf, tennis and much more. Plus, every 2-night or longer stay includes your FREE $250 Value Island Rewards coupon book with freebies and discounts. Remember when a Florida vacation was all about easy-going style, a slower pace and kick-back relaxation? Remember when again, here at Beachview Cottages. You’ll enjoy relaxing cottages that offer a flat-screen TV, a kitchenette, and a refrigerator, and you can stay connected during your stay with free wifi. Plus, Beachview Cottages offers a pool and barbeque facilities. Parking is free.
Are most excellent vacation
Reviewed By awatkins22022Are vacation at Beachview cottages was excellent the cottages are nice sized and are just steps from the beach. I plan on making Beachview cottages my regular vacation spot. The cottages were very clean and if you needed anything the staff was right there to help.
7. Song of the Sea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1003 reviews
Song of the Sea is a romantic Beachfront European style inn located on beautiful Sanibel Island. This intimate inn offers individualized personal service with picturesque views of the beach and the warm Gulf waters on the horizon. To welcome each guest, the Inn offers a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival. The newly updated guestrooms and suites feature rich combinations of mahogany toned wood and wicker combined with fabrics in shades that mimic the sun-soaked sand just steps away. After a day in the sun, relax by watching the new 42" flat panel television or enjoy a glass of wine on the screened balcony. All of the accommodations feature demi-kitchens to create the perfect vacation home away from home. Greet each morning with a complimentary continental breakfast complete with make your own waffles, an assortment of breakfast breads, fresh fruit, juice and coffee in a beautiful setting on the Inn’s lanai. After breakfast, relax by the pool and spa or take a long bicycle tour of the island’s 23 miles of bike paths. The bicycles are compliments of Song of the Sea. Explore the natural beauty of Sanibel, with two thirds of the island a nature preserve, or find a special treasure in one of the shops on Periwinkle Drive. Whether you chose to relax or explore, Song of the Sea gives each guest the peaceful solitude to reconnect with nature and loved ones.
Great stay, but some attention needed to rooms
Reviewed By JupiterVictoriaWe had a great time. The staff is wonderful, you can’t beat the beach access, the landscaping is lovely, bikes were always available, as were beach umbrellas and chairs, and the breakfast was plentiful- there was a lot more on offer than I expected. I struggled with whether to do three or four stars but we did have an awesome time so 4 it is. But I have to say the room is absurdly overpriced considering some of the overlooked issues. To a certain degree you pay for the access to the beach, yes. That won’t change so plan to pony up some. But beyond that this place needs some attention to warrant the $580 per night price tag for the gulf view suite. There actually is a lot of old Florida charm here I wouldn’t change- the screened in porches, the floor tile, the older tropical furniture. I’ll give them credit for an updated kitchenette, new sofa, and even bathroom. But there are things that are unacceptable for the current price tag that would not take much to deal with. Previous guests’ garbage behind the patio (how does that even go unnoticed?). Janky patio door that doesn’t slide smoothly. Grimey buildup around the bathroom sink faucets. Damage/grime to walls/baseboards/ceilings. Damaged, grimey front door. Water damaged shutters (spring for the composite for Pete’s sake!). Stained, cigarette-burned patio cushions. Some beach chairs need replacing. My advice: take care of these repairs, rip out that carpet in the sitting area and put in some dark wood-look vinyl floor. Get some new patio cushions. Paying more attention to deep cleaning from time to time, fixing the damage, some new white composite shutters, and a few fresh decor items to spruce things up wouldn’t even require a complete rehaul but would make all the difference in justifying the price of this room.
8. Waterside Inn on the Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 751 reviews
Are you searching for that true Olde Florida charm and style? Look no further than Waterside Inn! You?re just steps away from the beautiful beaches of Sanibel. Amenities include a heated pool, beach loungers, on-site bike rentals, and BBQ grills. Come to relax and unwind in one of our small inns or cottages.
The Best At Sanibel Island
Reviewed By John SWaterside Inn did it again! What a magnificent vacation our group had. I have reviewed Waterside Inn previously. It is the #1 place to stay on Sanibel Island, Florida. The staff is friendly, professional and accommodating. Carol, thank you for welcoming us and all that you do for us at Waterside. Our friends and relatives love Waterside Inn. You make everyone feel at home. Also, Jeff and Victoria, thank you for your hospitality. Sanibel Island. Waterside Inn. Beautiful.
9. Tarpon Tale Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
The Tarpon Tale Inn is a charming, family run property on the east end of Sanibel, a short walk from the island's famous shelling beaches, the lighthouse and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Each of our cottage style accommodations has its own distinct character, and range from cozy efficiencies to spacious one bedroom suites. We hope you'll choose the Tarpon Tale Inn as your home on Sanibel. You'll find the Florida you're looking for!
Delightful and charming
Reviewed By S SWhat an absolutely charming place. Outside my room, scattered about were hammocks, porch swings, blooming orchids and little bistro tables to enjoy morning coffee. My room, Birdcage, was immaculate and comfy. The staff was helpful and friendly. Will stay at Tarpon Tale again on my next visit to Sanibel Island.
10. Castaways Cottages of Sanibel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 686 reviews
Waterview cottages, efficiencies, or motel units are surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful Sunset Bay. Discover miles of sandy beaches, shelling, fishing, swimming, or just relaxing Island style. The Castaways is a touch of paradise you're sure to remember. World-class shelling and bird-watching. Great fishing from our private docks or in the Gulf of Mexico.Marina with canoe,kayak and bicycle rentals, charter captains, bait and other sundry items.Three restaurants and general store within walking distance. Heated swimming pool. Pet-friendly units available for guests who want their 4-footed friends to enjoy a true family vacation.
Just Gross
Reviewed By JustGross2The outside was not even appealing. Very dirty and kinda gross. Inside, the kitchen chairs had stains all over them and that was disgusting. The bathtub had stuff all over it, sand/dirt/flakes of something. The pull out bed still had the old sheets and blanket on it with dirt, dog hair, and stain. Just gross. The front door didn’t even close. It had a 1-2” gap at the bottom corner where the bugs/lizards could just walk in. The screened in porch was just dirty n gross. The “bay view” was looking over some kayaks and boat docks, and seeing a tiny bit of water. The pros were the beach was across the street, the marina had chairs, umbrellas, bicycles, bait, and coolers to rent, the pool was very nice, and plenty of places to eat. For $275/night and that was with a discount, I would never stay again and would definitely not recommend to my family or friends. For reference, we stayed in cottage 25.
