This is our luxury hotel review of Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island. Read more about Fort Myers and Sanibel Island.

INTRODUCTION

Just a short drive from Fort Myers across the Sanibel Causeway, a sweeping, rising curve of carriageway across the San Carlos Bay, is Sanibel Island. It’s a paradise of white-sand beaches, coconut palms, exotic shells and perfect natural habitats to explore. There are activities for everyone – families, young couples and older vacationers too. Whether you want to explore nature in a kayak, lie on a beach, relax by the pool, or get your adrenaline kick with some high-speed water sports. Locals park up on the small keys along the causeway to fish, kayak, barbeque, or just to hang out with friends, showing a real quality and smooth-paced lifestyle.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

With accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels, to self-catering apartment, to family B&B’s, and even the perfect combination of all three – Sanibel Inn – Where nature meets the sea. When we arrived at Sanibel Inn, we walked into the cottage-like reception building, much a European seaside house, then drove across to our beach condo, a two-storey, timber building, painted in a rustic beach side pastel blue with white trimmings.

We had arrived not long before the sunset, so we put down our things and headed for the beach. Kach had a walk along the sand, while I swam the length of the beach and jogged back, meeting up again just in time to see the last of the sun drop down into the Gulf of Mexico!

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

You can check details and latest rates on Booking.com, Agoda or Expedia or visit their website directly at The Inns of Sanibel.  Don’t just take our word for it though, check out their reviews on TripAdvisor

ACCOMMODATION

We entered our second floor accommodation, which was really much more like an apartment than a hotel room, with a separate bedroom and bathroom, spacious living room with sofas, widescreen TV and a little kitchenette to one side. The sliding doors led out to the balcony, which although meshed against the sand flies, provided a constant supply of fresh sea air and a view across the pool to the beach. We had everything we could want for in a luxury hotel suite, combined with the independence and flexibility of a self-catered apartment.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

FOOD

Sanibel Inn has the lovely Sea Star Café for casual dining if you’re looking for a real meal, or if you’re just fancy a snack with your gin and tonic, then the Tiki Bar is your best bet, with a fantastic grill and cocktail menu.

AMENITIES

As well as 600 feet of private beach front, prime for Sanibel’s famous shelling, the resort also features a heated outdoor swimming pool. Included with every reservation is access to The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club.

Our Gulf View 1^st floor suite had a king size bed, sofa bed, 42″ flat screen LCD TV, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, daily newspaper, iron / ironing board, in-room safe and a hair dryer. Everything to feel at home on holiday!

For activities on the beach, Sanibel Inn offers kayaking and paddle boarding, plus bicycles are available too.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

AREA GUIDE

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Just over the causeway in Fort Myers are the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, both great friends who spent their winters here on their neighbouring properties. Around 20 acres of botanical gardens, historic homes and outbuildings, Edison’s laboratory and the Edison Ford Museum, all on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge

An absolute jewel of Sanibel Island, Ding Darling Wildlife refuge was founded in the 1940’s in order to protect and preserve this incredibly unique wildlife habitat. There are miles of trekking routes, birding spots, fishing points and the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Education Center. We took a guided tram tour around the refuge, with guided info about all the plants and animals living and migrating to the area.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille

No one should visit Sanibel without eating at Doc Ford’s! A complete redesign of the sports bar concept, to include high quality food from an inventive menu of ingeniously combined international flavours, with a heavy focus on fresh, local seafood. People said they were crazy, well, crazy tastes incredible. Try the Yucatan Shrimp!

Check out our full restaurant review of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille!

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise – Captiva Cruises

We took a Dolphin and Wildlife cruise with Captiva Cruises, from neighbouring Captiva Island. The narrated cruise explored the Pine Island Sound, an area of water protected and sheltered by Sanibel Island, Captiva Islands and Cayo Costa. As well as learning all about the area, we also saw multiple pods of dolphins playing alongside the boat in the bow waves.

Luxury Hotel Review – Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Island, Florida

You can check details and latest rates on Booking.com, Agoda or Expedia or visit their website directly at The Inns of Sanibel.  Don’t just take our word for it though, check out their reviews on TripAdvisor

Note: This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of Lee County for our itinerary in Fort Myers and Sanibel, and to Visit Florida, the official tourism office of Florida in Tallahassee, and especially Ms. Summer Gilhousen, who arranged the whole trip and coordinated with all the local tourism boards, private companies for our sponsored hotel stays, tours and car rental (all opinions and text are all mine)  Thank you!