I'm looking at Casa Ybel as a possibility for spring break next year. Has anyone stayed there? Feedback? I would prefer staying somewhere with a pool but also has direct beach/waterfront access.

We have one son so that is why I probably prefer a resort...more kids to interact with.

Any other recommendations for Sanibel Island would be wonderful.

Has to be nice nothing grungy, I'm pretty picky. Has to have non-smoking rooms.

Casa Ybel is pretty fancy, definitely not 'grungy', and would probably satisfy your self-proclaimed 'pickiness'. Nice big pool, good restauraunt.

A few years ago I decided this is where I'd go and hide out for a couple of weeks if I won a lottery and did not want people to find me.

My father used to go there for lunch a couple of times a year when he spent the winters in Florida; he found the food and service both excellent.

Sitting in the restaurant and wandering around the grounds, I thought it would be a great place to stay. Nice beach,nice pool, good staff, decent location...

BAK

We were in Sanibel a couple of days a go and Casa Ybel was closed due to hurricane damage. We were told (not by the resort)that it would be closed for a year so you need to check this out with them. You may have to look elsewhere. Sundial and Sanibel Inn were also closed but I don't know for how long.

You'll love Casa Y Bel, it's beautiful, even though all the great trees are probably destroyed. Your son will love the slide into the pool and there are childrens' activities. Try also Pt. Santo de Sanibel. It's very nice with some close, beachfront accomodations and rooftop decks if you get a 4th floor unit.

I'd suggest going to the management's website, click on the left "hurricane update" and read about the current conditions and possible reopening. Here it is:
http://www.hgvc.com

Call me stupid, but I went to that website for Hilton Vacations and couldn't find anything about the hurricane, nor could I find anything about Casa Ybel.

Actually, I take that back, I did eventually find a listing for Casa Ybel, but nothing about the hurricane there nor anything about it being closed.

I did see specific info. re:Casa Ybel, Patrick.You have to scroll down to Sanibel Island to see the info. re: Casa Ybel. It mentioned a possible Feb/March reopening but could not say for certain it would open then. There was a phone number also. Here is the exact link which I used this morning:

http://www.hgvc.com/hurricane_updates.htm

According to that article the one bedroom units are renting now, and that would be all Fern60514 would need. The one bedroom units have two queen beds in the bedroom as well as a sleeper sofa in the living room. The restaurant is open as well (though we weren't keen on that and always ate elsewhere.)

From the sounds of some of the things they are doing (interior doors, toilets, faucets, towel bars, relocating phone jacks, dryer vents etc) in the rest of the resort, I'm guessing they took this opportunity to do a complete renovation of the timeshare units. They should be great when finished!

OK, just saw Casa y Bel a couple of weeks ago and the slide I talked about has been removed. It didn't look like it was being fixed or anything; probably taken down for insurance reasons. Still a great place though!