Vacation - Fort Myers or Sanibel? (Miami, Sarasota: car rental, where to stay, rentals)

[illini1022]

Looking for any help/advice. My fiancee and I are booking a quick 3 night getaway in August, and we're trying to decide where we want to stay.

I understand that Sanibel seems a bit more secluded, while Fort Myers is busier. The hotel/resort selection seems better in Fort Myers though.

We would like to be located near a beach, but also want to take some day trips to see parks/reserves/snorkeling or something else fun like that.

Our budget is somewhere around 400 per person for a 3 night stay + airfare from Chicago, which leaves us with a lot of options in both places. Any help?

[justNancy]

Sanibel is an island and a resort community. Fort Myers is a city. There is no comparison.

Originally Posted by illini1022

The hotel/resort selection seems better in Fort Myers though.

Not true, unless you need to stay at a highrise or national chain.

If you want to be in a city with a beach, shopping, restaurants, nightlife.... stay in Naples or Sarasota.

[beerme1]

Sanibel or ideally Captiva if you can fit it in the budget. Check out Tween Waters, not sure if that fits in your budget although being summer cant imagine that it is a problem. Check out Ding Darling IF you ever leave Captiva

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by beerme1

Sanibel or ideally Captiva if you can fit it in the budget. Check out Tween Waters, not sure if that fits in your budget although being summer cant imagine that it is a problem. Check out Ding Darling IF you ever leave Captiva

I agree. There are lots of summer specials.

Checkout the Chamber of Commerce site

Official Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida Chamber of Commerce. Visitor, Accommodations, Dining, Shopping, Entertainment & Local Business Information

Another option: You can stay in South Fort Myers at the Sanibel Harbour Resort which is just across the bridge from Sanibel. Beautiful resort hotel. Checkout their summer rates.

http://www.sanibel-resort.com/

[illini1022]

Originally Posted by justNancy

Sanibel is an island and a resort community. Fort Myers is a city. There is no comparison.



Not true, unless you need to stay at a highrise or national chain.

If you want to be in a city with a beach, shopping, restaurants, nightlife.... stay in Naples or Sarasota.

Thanks for the info, I definitely don't need a highrise or a national chain. I'd like a nice, clean room with a generally nice (possibly romantic?) atmosphere. Thats pretty much the only deciding factor for me.

It sounds like there is a decent amount of stuff to see in Sanibel/Captiva as well - correct? I'm pretty much sold on going to that area over Fort Myers. Chicago gives me more than my fair share of city life.

Any suggestions on where to stay are appreciated! Thanks again.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by illini1022

Thanks for the info, I definitely don't need a highrise or a national chain. I'd like a nice, clean room with a generally nice (possibly romantic?) atmosphere. Thats pretty much the only deciding factor for me.

It sounds like there is a decent amount of stuff to see in Sanibel/Captiva as well - correct? I'm pretty much sold on going to that area over Fort Myers. Chicago gives me more than my fair share of city life.

Any suggestions on where to stay are appreciated! Thanks again.

I suggest you use the above link to the Chamber of Commerce and give them a call. I haven't lived on the islands in a long time. Hurricane Charley was devastating in 2004, so a lot changed, although I know much of Captiva has been rebuilt.

South Seas went through a massive renovation for about 2 years. It's at the very end of Captiva, but you'll be a bit isolated. Still, you've got Tween Waters up the road and you are surrounded by water, quaint shops, restaurants...I mean, how much can you do in a few days? Keep in mind that downtown Captiva is only a small road, so you can walk around without using a car. I consider it to be very romantic. You can go to the Mucky Duck and watch the sunset while you're eating dinner or have a great meal at the Bubble Room. The menus are probably available on the site I suggested. There is a lot of information.

[kroeran]

Originally Posted by illini1022

It sounds like there is a decent amount of stuff to see in Sanibel/Captiva as well - correct? I'm pretty much sold on going to that area over Fort Myers..

Think of it like visiting a Caribean island, and you have the whole island to roam.

It is easy to do short day trips from a central location, down to Naples (5th Avenue), Marco Island (wade over to tiger tail beach and lunch or sunset at Stilts restaurant) and beyond to swamp boat tours, Corkscrew swamp boardwalk preserve (near dawn or dusk), check out Waterside and Coconut Point malls along the way. If you are a dog person, check out dog beach park at Estero (just take road south from Fort Myers beach)

Then up around by Port Charlotte to check out the historic Gaspirilla hotel and the Lighthouse Museum (history of area), and swing by Fisherman's Wharf pier (mall) at Punta Gorda for sunset at the sports bar at the end and watch the boats coming home to roost. These are all half day tours, then you get back to the beach or pool and start drinking mid afternoon.

Captiva and Sanibel are routine afternoon trips for us from South Fort Myers, but there is not much. You drive to the end of the road and get out on the beach to shell (which is best at the gap). There is Ding Darlling nature tour, the lighthouse beach and pier....that's about it, and gawking at the twin supermansions going up on Captiva - maybe 100,000 sq ft??? We usually have lunch at Bubble Room, but I hear good things about Green Flash. They remind me of quiet Caribean islands, but really one road in and out and lots of 70s architecture.

Problem with staying on Sanibel/Captiva is that it may take too long to get off island then get to anywhere for day trips...unless this is not a problem and you just want to veg on the beach, or if you don't mind taking an hour or two to get to your destination.

Forget about Fort Myers CITY, but rather think Fort Myers BEACH, which is on an island. There is a string of hotels and restaurants, a pier, but keep in mind its geared to college kids and leans towards rednecks (like me), very casual, very inexpensive, a bit tacky.

The sweet spot might be a bit toward south Fort Myers beach which is a bit tonier and the beach is great down there.

For car rentals check out Alamo through the Canadian Westjet website...often half front desk rates.

other stuff to do

- Estero river kayaking and Koreshan historical estate tour
- Edison home and lab tour
- Babcock nature tour
- 6 mile slough preserve boardwalk tour
- day trip to Miami
- 4 hour ferry to Key West
- Poker room at the dog track (Bonita)
- Fresh Market, Trail/Daniels (amazing grocery store)
- Turtle Club beach dining (Naples)
- Miromar outlet mall (Estero)
- Veranda historic white linen restaurant (Fort Myers) very romantic

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by kroeran

Think of it like visiting a Caribean island

...and a lot safer. No place is immune from crime, but Captiva & Sanibel are very safe.

Originally Posted by kroeran

and you have the whole island to roam.

2 islands!

Originally Posted by kroeran

It is easy to do short day trips from a central location, down to Naples (5th Avenue), Marco Island (wade over to tiger tail beach and lunch or sunset at Stilts restaurant) and beyond to swamp boat tours, Corkscrew swamp boardwalk preserve (near dawn or dusk), check out Waterside and Coconut Point malls along the way. If you are a dog person, check out dog beach park at Estero (just take road south from Fort Myers beach)

You might also want to take a trip over to Boca Grande or Cabbage Key for the day with Captiva Cruises. I think it costs $25 per person. Why drive around in your car when you only have a few days?

Originally Posted by kroeran

Forget about Fort Myers CITY, but rather think Fort Myers BEACH, which is on an island. There is a string of hotels and restaurants, a pier, but keep in mind its geared to college kids and leans towards rednecks (like me), very casual, very inexpensive, a bit tacky.

A bit?

[justNancy]

I think kroeran's post is very informative and deserves a rep!

OTOH the OP says "a 3 night getaway" which means this: You arrive on Tues, probably in the afternoon. You rent a car, drive to your destination, check in and can't wait to see the beach (if it's a nice day) Then you'll make plans for dinner and will want to stay on the island. On Wed and Thurs you can plan activities. Friday you need to pack, checkout and head back to the airport.

So don't make the mistake I did when I visited Hawaii. It was a very different kind of trip, but I spent 3 nights on Maui and 3 nights on the Big Island and 3 nights on Kauai and 3 nights on Oahu. So I had to check in and out of hotels 4 times. I had to rent/return a car on 4 islands. Then think about all the flights I took, since you can't drive from one island to the other. Enjoy your 3 nights by relaxing and gazing at the beautiful Florida sunsets. Captiva is world famous for its sunsets. Maybe you'll even see some dolphins.

Also - do not overpack. Maybe you are a seasoned traveler anyway, but it doesn't hurt to mention it. I used to be, so I know that people always take too much. I worked for one company 1/2 my life and had a lot of vacation and visited Florida many times. In August you will need a bathing suit, shorts and a few T-shirts. If you want to pack something a little dressier, then a pair of khaki pants and a clean shirt will be enough. A woman might want to pack a sundress or a skirt and top. That's it. When I lived on Sanibel, I made the mistake of wearing pumps one day and nearly broke my ankle. You will be right at home in sneakers or sandals. This is not Chicago. However, Sanibel is not a foreign country or the Amazon, so anything else you need will be available. There is a CVS on Palm Ridge Road. There is even a 7-ELEVEN, although it's not open all night. There are 2 grocery stores. I'm only writing this because I see so many tourists schlepping suitcases. Unless you have special needs, a couple of carry-on bags will be enough. Call and ask the place in which you're staying about hairdryers or any other bulky items you might normally pack.

Have fun!

[twobums]

don't flame me BUT.... the last 3 meals i have had on Captiva have been over priced and mediocre at best. I hate to see someone visit the island, spend a lot of $$ and have a bad meal. Please check online reviews before making reservations ~ that's what i do now. I live on Sanibel and highly recommend Schnapper's!! Great for a burger and fries!!!!