I've just booked a weekend trip for Memorial Day to go to West Florida. We are flying into Ft Myers and rt now are booked in the Sanibel Harbour Resort. Stupid me forgot all about the hurricane when I booked it. I've read all the posts on the damage to the area and i'm going to take my chances and head to Sanibel anyway since my airfare is a done deal. Does anyone know this resort? Now I'm seeing the Sundial Resort too as a possible choice. We like the resort feel. Beach a must and pool too. We have a 7 year old boy who is autistic and just loves both the beach and pool. If you think another resort is worth looking at in the area please feel free to let me know.

Just so you know, SHR is not directly on Sanibel Island. It is located on the bay just before the bridge to Sanibel. Although the resort is VERY nice (it has all the resort amenities), it has a very small beach. If beach is very important to you, this might not be the place for you. You might want to book something directly on Sanibel.

Sanibel is an island, and a beautiful one at that. It draws many people from around the world for its beautiful beaches and shell collecting, its rustic nature, and yet some fine hotels, condominiums, and restaurants. I highly recommend going to Sanibel Island. What I don't recommend is going to a place called Sanibel Harbour Resort which is not on Sanibel. In fact it's not on the island at all. It's on the mainland, on the mouth of the river (and you wouldn't catch me swimming there). You need to leave the resort, go across the causeway (paying $6.00 each time for the privelege of doing so) and finding a place at the beach. Sanibel Harbour Resort just reopened this past week with much redoing and apparently lots of improvements. Their spa is supposed to be wonderful. If you're looking for a place to go and stay at a resort and just use their facilities, then it could be nice. Just be prepared that it is NOT on Sanibel and there is no beach.

One of our favorite places to stay in Sanibel was Song of the Sea. It wasn't as fancy as some of the other resort type places but we liked it. Our room was facing the ocean & had a screened porch where we could watch a thunderstorm (lightening show) in the distance but there was no rain by us. You might want to check it out. Staying on the island is worth it even if it costs a bit more. We stayed at Sundial years ago too & liked it but it was a bit too "hotel" for us. We liked Song of the Sea better.

Thank you for the feedback. The SHR says complimentary shuttle to the beach. How long of a ride would that be and is it very inconvenient? We actually like places that are very hotel like. Buffalogirl and Patrick what were your thoughts on the Sundial?
Yes we love beach and if it's close even better but taking a shuttle is not so bad. I saw the song of the sea but with my son, I need a pool and food close by. My husband golfs and I do tend to enjoy spa too which I believe I can get at the Sundial as well.

I live in fort myers and my work takes me to all the barrier islands frequently. The Sanibel Harbour Resort just reopened this past week after being closed since August. I have not seen it yet, but I've heard that the restoration was very good. You have a 1/2 hr ride to the real beach from the SHR. The "beach" they have is some sand on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. The resort is at the mouth of the river. It is a nice resort and the only full service one in the area.

Sundial is scheduled to reopen May 1, 2005. It sustained significant damage and will be completely restored and redecorated. I would have a back-up plan for this resort as things are progressing slowly in some areas. South Seas on Captiva has not yet gone to contract on most of their renovations. The damage has turned out to be more extensive than first thought. The islands are open and most of the restaurants are doing well. I did some retail therapy this weekend on Sanibel and the island was packed with people attending the arts and crafts show.

The beaches are wonderful on Sanibel and the hurricane damage has not ruined them. Ding Darling refuge is open and the birds are are back. The Australian pines are gone and have created a different look on Sanibel but by May new growth will have the island looking lovely. It will never have the overgrown and wild look it had because of the overcrowding of non-native trees and vines. These trees caused most of the damage on the island, toppling like dominoes. Hurricane Charley has created an opportunity to further restore Sanibel to a more natural state.

Beautiful Captiva sustained horrific damage. It will take longer but it will be back. I'm thinking that you might really enjoy the Tween Waters resort on Captiva. It is open and should be fully operational for your visit. Look at its website. It is quite funky and charming in an old fashioned way.

LMF

Do a little googling and you should be able to pull up pictures and articles about the progress on the various resorts you are looking for.

Here is one or two to start you off:
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....501310386/1002

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plai...9570222530.xml

LMF

Thank you. Do you think there are beach resorts in ft myers that I would prefer? Also, what do you know of the Cas Ybel Resort. That seems to be another one that I would consider. I'm going to look at I will look at the Tween Waters to see but I've heard that Sanibel would be better for my son. Janine/Long Island

Janinelouie, The Song of the Sea does have a pool and hot tub, not sure if you saw otherwise. WE stayed there years ago with 2 small children and absolutely LOVED it. It's quaint, adorable and beautiful. The rooms were lovely. There is a great breakfast included with the room each morning, and another of the South Seas resorts is right next door with an outdoor grill.

However, I don't know a thing about the post hurricane status of either place. I think the hotel next door is the Saniblel Inn. All of the south seas resorts are reciprocal. You can go to any of them, and use a card to charge food, etc. at any one of them during your stay.

Wherever you choose, assuming that Sanibel is in repair, you'll love the island.

Casa Ybell is quite a nice resort. I have not personally stayed there but know people who have. Try this message board for all things Sanibel.
http://www.voy.com/2078/

Also, I can't imagine not staying on the island because I spend most of my day on the beach - the 30 minutes quoted by SHR for the shuttle could easily be longer depending on the traffic.

Janine, you've been given some really good advice from people who really know the area.

Janine, we have been to Sanibel Island on vacation for two years in a row and stayed in a condo directly on the beach. The beaches there are great for shelling and walking, but can hurt your toes a little. We loved the quiet and enjoyed both condos we stayed in which both had pools. This year we are also booked at the Sanibel Harbor Resort because we want a more "resort feel". SHR is the only 4 star resort in the area. My friends have been going there for years and just love it. So we are giving it a try! The beach is evidently helped with truckloads and truckloads of white sand they have brought in, but looks very pretty, although not huge. They have beach chairs by the beach. The pools, spa, and service are evidently superb. My friends loved getting smoothies at the pool and all the activities. If you want to go to the islands you just need to pick times that are not prime-time traffic. I am sure the hotel can help you with that. During the week, i never thought the traffic was bad, only on Saturday and Sunday. We ventured into town many times, and never had a problem. I would guess only around 15-20 minutes to cross the causeway. (But we didn't go on heavy traffic times either) Good luck!

We just got back from staying at Sanibel Resort and Spa. The staff was very friendly and the hotel itself was elegant, but the room had a soiled robe hanging in the closet, maid service knocked in the moring asking when we would be leaving. Tivial except for the robe. Sanibel island was a lot of fun. Rented bikes and explored. Excellent family location.