Planning to stay a few days in either Sanibel or Captiva but all the hotels seem to be extremely expensive - any suggestions for something reasonable? - not camping please.
thanks geri

Did you try Expedia/Orbitz/etc? I was looking into this area for a trip - Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa for $129/night.

Also, type in "Sanibel" and you will find postings - people suggest a number of smaller inns which may be more reasonable.

Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is actually in Ft. Myers and not on Sanibel.

We've stayed at Casa Ybel twice and found the 1 bedrooms quite reasonable. Each unit has a small kitchen, saving on eating all meals out, and the bedrooms have two doubles or 2 queens, plus a sleeper sofa in the living room, so they accommodate a family. They have large screened porches overlooking the Gulf. Very nice.

On a day trip down recently we looked at Tween Waters and I was intrigued by their cottages. They looked cute and reasonable. There aren't many of those though...the other units were in larger buildings and if we couldn't get one of the cottages, I'd stick with Casa Ybel.

I agree about Sanibel Harbour. It is supposedly nice, but I'd rule it out simply from the standpoint that it is not on the islands and I wouldn't want to swim in that water, preferring to be right on the beach. To get out to Sanibel or Captiva and the Gulf from there, you are going to have to drive over that causeway (toll).

The Sanibel Harbour Resort is located right off the entrance of the bridge going onto Sanibel. It is much nicer than any resort on Sanibel--It has beautiful pools and restaurants. It only takes 5 minutes to get from your hotel to Sanibel. You can see the island right from your balcony. The rooms are beautiful and I have never seen a room so emmaculately clean in all of our travels --to the Caribbean or Hawaii--Aruba or anywhere else. The spa there is great We paid 100 a night for a 5 day stay. The special they had was you paid for 4 nights and received the 5th day free. The web site is www.sanibelharbourresort.com. Check it out.

I am going tomorrow (28th) to the gulf side of Florida. My mission is to fine a decent rental for Feb or March (1 bedroom). Can anyone give me some tips as where I should go.

Look at the Tarpon Tale Inn on Sanibel.
The staff is terrific and the prices are excellent. Walk to the beach and relax.