Bowsprit

We're flying into RSW on Feb. 12 and visiting the area for 5 nights. I've booked the Residence Inn Marriott Sanibel, but the room is cancellable up until 24 hours before check-in, so I'm not locked in yet! I'm paying $120.00 a night for this room for me and my husband; no kids this time.

I really don't know the area. I expect we'll be exploring beaches, restaurants, shopping (I have reserved a rental car for the 5 days just for this purpose), but I wondered if there was another hotel I could consider in another area but within reasonable driving distance of the Ft. Myers's airport that might be beachfront?

If not, can you tell me a little about this hotel and the surrounding area? Which restaurants, beaches, bars we should visit? I'm sure there's a place on Fodor's I can research if someone can just point me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance, bowsprit

Bowsprit

What do you all think of staying in historic downtown Naples? Any suggestions? Thanks.

sassy_cat

I haven't got any up to date info on Sanibel as it's been several years since I was there but if you put 'Sanibel' into the advanced search box above you would get all the recent threads. Here's what I pulled up.

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...search=Sanibel

sassy_cat

OK, the Marriott you mentioned isn't actually on Sanibel. I imagine it must be one of the hotels very close to the bridge.

I really liked being on the island itself and I think traffic can be a problem at busy times getting to and from the island so if you want to be on a beach on Sanibel don't stay in Fort Myers.

garyt22

You are booked in a hotel in a shopping area on Summerlin... it is across from an outlet mall and on a very busy road leading to Sanibel Captiva... to reach Sanibel you must cross a bridge daily (Toll) and drive to the beach... Ft Myers beach is on Estero Island about 6 miles the other way... consider moving to Hotels on Estero Island... they are right on the beach and it sounds like more what you want... good luck and have fun!

Bowsprit

Thanks everyone! I thought the hotel was exactly as described and I don't want to deal with too much traffic as we're only there for 5 days. I'll check out Estero Island (had no idea where that was in relation to RSW).

Sanibel hotels are booked because of Presidents week and the Valentine's Day weekend, I suspect.

I'll keep looking.

If anyone sees anything on travelzoo or quikbook, orbitz, etc., would you let me know?

Again, Thanks.

Bowsprit

garyt22: This is Exactly what I was afraid of:

>>

And this is much more of what I wanted, but I wonder if the budget will allow (under $175.00)?:

>

Bowsprit

I took a look at Casa Playa...anyone have an opinion of this place?

garyt22

Casa Playa is in an excellent beachfront location... there's also the Pink Shell resort at the north end of the beach, and dozens of chains along the beach... even the Holiday Inn and Best Western have properties along this stretch... there's also a trolley with stops all along the island...

Bowsprit

Thanks, garyt22: Casa Playa is one of the few within my budget with vacancies. I'll let you know what we decide. You've all been a big help. Thanks!

sancapcoc

The best place to look for lodging on Sanibel and Captiva is www.sanibel-captiva.org the Chamber of Commerce web site.

s_sharona

I stayed at the sanibel inn, which i got through easy click website, and it was really great. however, it is more expensive than the Mariott you wrote abou (which I don't know, sorry).