The 8 best Resorts in Sanibel Island, United States

April 20, 2023 Madelene Haan

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

1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-6521
Excellent
51%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 3699 reviews

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

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 sfinkel28

My 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

3345 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5501
Excellent
51%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3043 reviews

West Wind Island Resort

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 m0nica0410

Lovely 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. Sanibel Inn

937 E. Gulf Dr., Sanibel Island, FL 33957-6994 1 (844) 394-2013
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1822 reviews

Sanibel Inn

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 gw759

We 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.

4. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-6521
Excellent
51%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 3699 reviews

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

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 sfinkel28

My 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.

5. Seaside Inn

541 E. Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5005 1 (855) 340-4982
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 999 reviews

Seaside Inn

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 vallerym2016

rooms 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

3325 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5599
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 930 reviews

Beachview Cottages

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 awatkins22022

Are 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. Waterside Inn on the Beach

3033 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5609
Excellent
58%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 751 reviews

Waterside Inn on the Beach

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 S

Waterside 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.

8. Casa Ybel Resort

2255 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-6104
Excellent
51%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
6%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 847 reviews

Casa Ybel Resort

Natural, secluded and exclusive, historic Casa Ybel Resort epitomizes the sanctuary, old-island spirit of Sanibel. Occupying 23 acres of beach front property isolated from commercial enterprise, the resort forms a sheltered getaway where romantic surroundings and outdoor recreation attract couples and families alike. Travelers have found respite and hospitality here since the 1890's.

Weekend away

Reviewed By rachael7183

Grounds are beautiful; room was outdated and smelled very strongly of bug spray. Access to beach was great, pool area was ok but pool staff wasn’t super friendly. Saw lots of cool Little animals too. All in all a really nice weekend! Sanibel is gorgeous.

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