I looked at the Sundial Resort website & it appears that there are privately owned condos as well as units the resort itself owns. Am I right? Which is better? are the condos cheaper? do they include the same amentities esp. housekeeping?

I really can't answer your question but after several months of research, we decided to stay at Casa Ybel and it was fabulous. We drove by the front of Sundial since I had read lots of positive comments on it and quickly realized that we definitely made the right decision. Casa Ybel was perfect for us with two children, ages l0 and 5. We normally stay in the panhandle of Florida or Gulf Shores, Ala, renting a condo. Casa Ybel provided daily housekeeping service with their one bed room condos which I never have had with a condo rental. The pool is great with their water slide as well as a gourmet pool restaurant for salads and sandwiches. All condos with screened porches look out on the Gulf. Reconsider if you have the chance - I don't think you will be sorry.

Friends have stayed at Sundial and found that since some of the condo's are privately owned some were nicer than others and many were not updated. The one they were in had shag carpet etc...they had friends staying at the same time who had a newly updated condo. Might be worth asking about...

Stayed at Sundial in 3/99 & 3/2000.
Some units privitely owned and rented out by local real estate people.
This is an old resort.
Some units are not updated.
Some units are just plain.
Food is not the best.
Shop rates, look at both the resort and the local real estate people. The rates vary.

I stayed at Pointe Santo condos on Sanibel (privately owned) last year, and was very pleased (location, amenities).