With 12 resorts across the island, Sanibel has long been a destination for winter-weary northerners. Our guide to all of the Sanibel Island resorts breaks down your options on the island.
Sanibel Island Resorts
For those looking to customize their stay length and more of a traditional vacation experience with full on-site amenities, resort rentals are going to be your best bet. With varying price-levels, sizes and amenities, you’re likely to find something that meets your budget and needs.
Here are the Sanibel Island resorts list in alphabetical order:
Beachview Cottages
Located near Rabbit Rd and W. Gulf Dr, Beachview Cottages has 20 units (studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom) only steps from the Gulf of Mexico. This resort offers direct beach access, a heated pool and its famed sundeck with an excellent view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Visit the Beachview Cottages website.
Castaway Cottages
These quaint cottages, painted in an array of vibrant colors echo that old Florida charm and the resorts of yesteryear. Everytime we bike or drive past Castaways we dream of staying here.
Castaway Cottages is located near Blind Pass at the northern end of Sanibel and has 1- to 3- bedroom cottages across the gulf and bay sides of the island. The resort includes a private marina, heated pool,and rentals for kayaks, bikes and beach chairs.
Bonus: Staying here places you within walking distance of two of our favorite Sanibel establishments: The Mad Hatter Sanibel and Molly Malone Seafood, which is located inside the Santiva General Store.
Visit the Castaway Cottages website.
Caribe Beach Resort
The Caribe Beach Resort is located along the resort area of W. Gulf Drive. With a pool and 26 units or mostly efficiency units (plus a few 1- and 2-bedroom units), smaller groups will find exactly what they need here.
Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen. This resort has direct beach access and a pool.
Visit the Caribe Beach Resort website.
Casa Ybel
Casa Ybel, one of the high-end Sanibel Island resorts, is located along W Gulf Drive on the eastern end of the resort stretch. The resort features a full service spa, pool, pickleball, yoga, tennis and boat rentals. You’ll find all you need to relax.
Casa Ybel is where you go to pamper yourself on your next Sanibel getaway. Accommodations include 1- and 2-bedroom suites.
Onsite dining includes the Thistle Lodge, the Thistle Lodge Bar and Coconuts Poolside Bar and Grill.
Visit the Casa Ybel Resort website.
The Inns of Sanibel
The Inns of Sanibel are a collection of four separate resorts. Since these establishments are often marketed together, we’ve placed them together here. With one exception, noted below, these properties lie on the south eastern end of the island.
- Sanibel Inn: The Sanibel Inn offers a mix of condos, guestrooms and suites in either a gulf-front or gulf view setting.
- Seaside Inn: Guestrooms, suites and cottages are available at this gulf-front resort.
- Song of the Sea: Touted as the most romantic of the properties, the Song of the Sea provides guest rooms and suites in a setting for couples.
- Sunset Beach Inn: Located on the W. Gulf Dr near many of the island’s resorts, the Sunset Beach Inn offers guest rooms and suites.
Visit the Inns of Sanibel website.
The Island Inn
We spent three fabulous nights at The Island Inn Sanibel in April 2021 when we couldn’t find a place on Captiva. Between the courteous staff and ample amenities, we could not have had a better time.
Most rooms at the Island Inn have a beach front view. The resort takes up an impressive amount of shore for its size, giving you plenty of space to relax and unwind. There are beach chairs, kayaks, bikes and a heated pool.
We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony each morning, watching the waves crash to shore. The resort is also home to Sanibel’s oldest restaurant: Traditions on the Beach. Be sure to visit Traditions on The Beach for cocktails. You won’t be disappointed.
Sanibel Cottages Resort
The Sanibel Cottages Resort is a part of Hilton Grand Vacations. This family-friendly property features 2-bedroom suites and victorian-inspired architecture.
Unlike the other resorts, this is a timeshare property.
Visit the Sanibel Cottages Resort website.
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Sundial Beach Resort offers studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom accommodations in a setting perfect for couples and families looking for a relaxed vacation. Like Casa Ybel, this is another excellent resort for those looking to pamper themselves.
Amenities include a full service spa, tennis, pickleball, bikes and guided beach walks.
Onsite dining options include the Shima Japanese Steakhouse, Sea Breeze Cafe, Slice of Paradise, Turtle’s Tiki Bar, and Shima Grab and Go.
Visit the Sundial Beach Resort website.
West Wind Island Resort
Another property along W. Gulf Drive’s resort stretch, this resort is one of the more well known of the Sanibel Island Resorts. Guest rooms, studio and suite accommodations are available.
Free paddleboards and two-hour bike rentals are available to guests. There is also a pool and direct beach access Onsite dining includes the Normandie Seaside Café, open breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as the Upper Deck Pool Bar, open for lunch and dinner.
