Early January trip

We would like to stay in a property on the beach, if possible. It could be somewhat basic, but clean and with a pool of any size. A queen or king bed (not a full) is a must, and a room fridge is pretty important too.

I am not sure the pros and cons between being on the Gulf side vs. the Ocean side?

Being able to have a close walk to things (aside from the beach) would be nice too.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! We will stay 3 nights starting on either Jan 3 or 4.

Thanks!

Early January trip

With a less than 1 week stay you will be very limited as to where you can stay, but January is discounted below peak season many places, usually 20-30%.

There is no %26#39;ocean%26#39;, just the Gulf of Mexico or the San Carlos Bay/Pine Island Sound. The beaches are Gulfside.

There are really only a few places where you can walk to things. One is on Sanibel%26#39;s East End. There are a number of nice cottages to rent in that area off the beach but just a short walk away, but most have no pool. I believe Seahorse Cottages has a small one and most offer complimentary bikes with let you get many more nearby places, including restaurants and shops. Seaside Inn and Song of the Sea are on the east end as well, and on the beach, but much pricier.

Castaways at Blind Pass has a mixed history on how clean the rooms are and slowness of management to correct problems. There is a pool and 3 restaurants and a convenience store in walking distance. Cottages are both bay and beach front at a prime location where Sanibel and Captiva meet.

Next would be Jensen%26#39;s Twin Palms. These modest and historic cottages are bayfront and a very short walk to the beach. They also own Jensen%26#39;s Gulfside - but the prices are very stiff and the units luxe. You can walk to about 7 restaurants, [some of my favorites], shops, live entertainment, and a small convenience store. Lots of fishermen love these places and for Captiva they are an excellent buy. No pool.

There is also Captiva Island Inn, but I shy away a bit on that recommendation as it has a rather mixed history of service and other things. They also have a great location. No pool.

Now if a pool is vital, try Tropical Winds or Island Inn on Sanibel. Unfortunately, they aren%26#39;t within walking distance of anything much, in fact, Tropical Winds is way away from anything. In season the Island Inn has a restaurant.

There are plenty of other options, but not knowing your price range it%26#39;s kind of tough. Just start at www.sanibel-captiva.org and click on Where to Stay and select Small Inns, Motels and Cottages.

Early January trip

Thank you so much for your help, Tourmaline.

I have located 2 places (that have vacancies) that I would like to ask you about. I am trying to compare The Seaside Inn (which you mentioned) and the Holiday Inn. The costs are similar and they both have pools. They are also each about 1/2 mile to the closest restaurants as far as I can tell and they both have outdoor heated pools.

The biggest difference for me seems to be the convenience of the on site restaurant at the Holiday Inn. Also, the Seaside Inn will offer sunrise views while the Holiday Inn mainly faces South. Have I missed anything? Do the beaches feel different in these two places? Is one area safer than the other?

Any insights you can provide would be just great! And, if these 2 make you think of another specific place I should consider, please do tell!

Thanks again!

Robin

Seaside Inn would have more charm, but I think you may find the rooms have failry low square footage if that matters. Very quiet and a good location and renovated about 2004-5.

The Holiday Inn is sort of between East and Middle Gulf and a low motel style place. It was renovated after Charley and has a new restaurant, Courtney%26#39;s. I have suggested it mostly for business travelers. I don%26#39;t think the location is as good as Seaside for walking to places, but that%26#39;s me. And it is a motel.

Sunshine Island Inn is also on the East End, but not on the beach, which just across the street.

Not as conveniently located, but within easy biking distance of many restaurants and Bailey%26#39;s Market is Beachview Cottages. Better placed, but more resortish and pricey is Casa Ybel. Both are on West Gulf. Casa Ybel has a restaurant and pool bar. Just down the road from Jerry%26#39;s supermarket.

While I think the East End is more compact and better for walking, the West Gulf Drive area is less congested, just further from restaurants and such as they are mostly center island.

Hi again,

The Seaside Inn gets really good reviews except for the most recent one in August 2006 which describes bed bugs. What do you make of this?

From what I have read, bed bugs are really hard to get rid of, so if the property really did have them but denied having them, that would/could make for very unpleasant circumstances.

Any ideas how to make sense of this?

Thanks again,

Robin

I haven%26#39;t seen or heard of any other instance of this. I would think if there was a serious problem, others would be posting comments. It%26#39;s a popular place. If you%26#39;re concerned, try another property or call them direct [not reservations, which is now up in Canada], but the Seaside Inn itself and ask point blank about the problem. Will they be honest? Who knows, but it%26#39;s worth a shot.