Sanibel and Captiva Islands Editor Picks

A cross between a B&B and an intimate motel, the family-owned Blue Dolphin offers nine airy and spacious guest rooms. There’s no pool but the beach is steps away, and there’s no restaurant, but breakfast is complimentary and all rooms have fully equipped kitchens. The gulf-view guestrooms are the best, but each suite or efficiency has a sun deck placed amidst lush greenery – ideal for barbecues or serene relaxation. Bicycles are gratis, so take advantage of the paths and trails nearby and bike to the Wildlife Refuge. Beach chairs are provided for enjoying the waterfront show, from playful dolphins and lumbering manatees to colorful, dramatic sunsets.

Established in 1895, this quaint resort facing 550 feet of beachfront has welcomed guests to Sanibel for over a century, and echoes of its history linger in elements like the grassy croquet court, still enjoyed today by families and groups. Choose to stay in one of 51 hotel rooms and seven cottages (we recommend the latter); accommodations vary but features include handy kitchenettes or kitchens, pleasant screened porches or balconies, and island-style décor. A blast from a conch shell announces dinner at this old-world Florida style resort, where fine dining awaits at one of the few restaurants in the area with a dress code (collared shirts and dress pants for men). There’s also a library, pool, and tennis courts, not to mention the glorious beach.

This exclusive resort was built in the old Florida spirit during the 1890s, but it’s still shimmering. With 23 lushly landscaped acres and breathtaking views of the Gulf, the resort has evolved from one of the island’s first inns into a grand manor, originally called the Thistle Lodge. In 1979, new owners recreated the time-worn Thistle Lodge not far from its original site; today it houses an award-winning gourmet restaurant that serves a mix of Floridian, European, and Asian cuisines in a romantic, beachfront setting. The resort’s 114 rooms comprise one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, spacious living rooms, screened porches, and fresh décor. Bask in amenities from spa treatments to golf privileges, tennis courts, a pool, and easy access to the stunning, white-sand beach. Casa Ybel offers its guests all the comforts of an elegant home away from home with the bonus of historic interest.

A former key lime plantation, this resort’s old-world allure remains, with verandas and manicured landscapes. Located at the north end of Captiva Island, forty minutes from the causeway, the 330-acre resort encompasses about one-third of the island. The grounds include 11 pools and two hot tubs, a championship 9-course golf course, 19 tennis courts, two and a half miles of private white-sand beach with lots of water sport options, and a yacht harbor and bayside marina from which fishing excursions depart. A trolley service assists guests across the expansive property. Proximity to preferred activities should be taken into account when choosing accommodations, which run the gamut from comfortable one-bedrooms to expansive 3,400 square foot villas, all tastefully appointed with modern furnishings and understated elegance. The tropical tranquility and range of onsite activities makes staying put tempting, but there are also many enticing attractions nearby.