Captiva Island -- Where should we stay?
 

Captiva Island looks like a nice place to warm up this January. Where are the best places to stay for a romantic getaway?

It seems like there is only one major resort on Captiva. It used to be called South Seas Plantation but I heard that they recently changed their name. Sanibel is right over a small bridge and you may find more options checking out Sanibel as well. Either way, you will have to drive over a toll bridge from Ft. Myers to Sanibel and drive through Sanibel to get to Captiva. Both islands are IMO very relaxing. You'll love it!

Captiva IS a nice place, but there aren't many places to stay there. Try a condo or hotel on Sanibel instead. I've stayed at Song of the Sea - very nice, cute, romantic hotel. All the rooms have kitchenettes. Also, I've stayed at Pointe Santo condos. Again, very nice.

there also Tween' Waters...supposed to be nice.....and the BubbleRoom to eat.........

Mmmm. Bubble Room...oh and Mucky Duck...Where's that damn flight schedule?

I've stayed at South Seas and Tween Waters. TW is small and cozy, across the narrow road from the beach, fronting the intracoastal, with a couple banks of hotel rooms and some small cottages (get a cottage). Good place for boat lovers, as they rent Boston Whalers (or they used to). SSP is huge, beachfront, takes up the whole north end of Captiva, with trolleys to get you around the grounds, much more upscale and prices to match, but with lots of choices of accommodations, from hotel room to 3 bedroom homes.

For a romantic dinner go to Key West Bistro on Andy Rosse Dr. on Captiva. They have live music in the evenings.

Southseas Plantation - definitely!!!

We stayed at 'Tween Waters about 8 years ago in one of the cottages. The accomodations were very simple, not at all elegant, but clean and comfortable. The cottage was close to the ocean, though, so it was really easy to be running back and forth between cottage and beach. It's not at all resort-y, so there aren't lots of people around. We<BR>really liked the low-key atmosphere and the price was very reasonable.<BR><BR>We had a family vacation once at the Tortuga Beach Club on Sanibel and loved it there, too. It's a prettier place than 'Tween Waters with a great pool and other activities. It's a good walk to the ocean, though, and quite a bit more expensive.<BR><BR>Anybody know if Bud's Any Fish You Wish is still around? We had some memorable meals there.

We were at South Seas earlier this year. It's now called South Seas Resort. Website is www.southseasresort.com.<BR>The beach is pretty and there was plenty to do. Not sure if it's warm enough to swim there in January. <BR>The place is sprawling and you need to use the trolley or your car to get around the resort. <BR>If you think you'd spend much time in Sanibel, you should probably just stay there since Captiva is a bit of a drive from there. It gets tedious after the 4th or 5th time!<BR><BR>

I forgot to mention this- we visited Casa Ybel on Sanibel while we were at South Seas earlier this year. Although we didn't stay there, it looked lovely and will probably be our choice next time in the area.

Mary,the restaurant on Captiva I mentioned in previous message is Key Lime Bistro !!!<BR>We always have stayed in a condo on Sanibel.There are many agencies who handle rentals or you can check on internet : www.vrbo.com<BR>(vacation rentals by owner). We got a lovely condo at a good rental fee thru VRBO this year. Sanibel has more places to see and restaurants than Captiva.. We prefer to stay on Sanibel and only occasionally go to Captiva. <BR>You'll enjoy it either way !<BR>