Island Inn is Sanibel Island’s premier hotel ^[1] and resort destination. For over 100 years people have been coming to the Island Inn to vacation and enjoy all that Sanibel Island has to offer!

Island Inn’s guests come for a variety of reasons including spending quality time with friends and family, having the perfect beach wedding or just to get away for a little “me” time. With our private beach, comfortable accommodations, awesome location and restaurant ^[2] on-site your vacation will be one you will never forget. All rooms and cottages include Cable TV, wifi and iPod/iPhone docking stations.

Hotel Rooms & Suites [1] [3]
	Gulfside & Gulfview Rooms – Kimball Lodge [4] As low as $115 a night. Kimball Lodge is right alongside the Gulf. Select rooms have beautiful gulf views with a screened balcony overlooking the water. All rooms come with private bath, are very close to the beach and have easy access to the trademark sundeck.
	Gulfview Studio – Starky Lodge [5] As low as $119 a night. Starky Lodge’s extra large rooms include a full, eat-in style kitchen and views of the gulf through large picture windows. With two queen beds and a sofa bed, your room comfortably accommodates as many as six guests.
	Gulfview Rooms – Matthews Lodge [6] As low as $129 a night. Mathews Lodge offers a choice of rooms with king-size beds or efficiency rooms with two double beds. Each has a private screened balcony with a view of the water.

See Grounds Map for Location of Units ^[7]

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Cottages & Beach House [8] [3]
	Gulf Front Cottages – Spoonbill North & South [9] As low as $230 a night.  Gulf front cottage, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, full kitchen, living room, dining room, large screened in porch over looking Gulf and heated pool, 2 double beds, 1 queen pullout sofa, cable TV and wifi.
	Beachfront Cottage – Matthews [10] As low as $240 a night. Large beachfront cottage, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen with dishwasher, living room, dining room overlooking Gulf and heated pool, 1 king bed, 2 twin beds, 1 queen pullout sofa, cable TV, iPod/iPhone docking stations and wifi.
	Gulfview Cottage – Phister [11] As low as $240 a night. Large gulfview cottage, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen with dishwasher, dining room, living room includes well stocked library, fireplace, and large screened porch with brilliant views of Gulf and heated pool, 1 queen bed, 2 twin beds and 1 queen pullout sofa. Cable TV, wifi and iPod/iPhone docking stations.
	Beachview Cottages – Sandpiper & Seagrape [12] As low as $240 a night. Fully updated beachview cottage, two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, living room/dining room and balcony overlooking the Gulf and heated pool. One king bed, two twin beds, 1 double pullout sofa, cable TV and wifi.
	Beach House – Zeeryp [13] As low as $255 a night. Large 2 story house, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living/dining rooms, full kitchen w/ dishwasher and Florida room. 2 twin beds, 2 double beds, 1 king bed,1 queen pullout sofa,1 double pullout sofa, washer/dryer and covered parking.

See Grounds Map for Location of Units ^[7]

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Guest Testimonials

“Rest and Relaxation”
This is a first time for my husband and myself visiting Sanibel Island and staying at the Island Inn. All I we can say is “WOW,” what a beautiful island. What a wonderful Inn. We will stay here again in the future . We are impressed with the “Matthew Lodge Gulf View.” Clean rooms with daily maid service if requested. Continental breakfast is great. Dinner at Traditions,” if we choose. Everyone is so kind and helpful. The view is amazing. The private beach is excellent. Shelling is wonderful. I have too many good things to say. We thank you “Island Inn” staffers. We will be back.

Cindy Creighton

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 16, 2013

“A Perfect Getaway”
Island Inn provides a comfortable and relaxed setting to getaway and enjoy some of the best life has to offer. With the beach footsteps from the rooms you have acess to fun in the sun during the day, beautiful sunsets, and moonlit walks at night. The rooms were pleasantly decorated with a new, fresh, and inviting cottage style. The staff was friendly and helpful offering great suggestions for island activities and providing excellent service. Although this trip was a long weekend I left feeling with sense that the easy days on the island made this vacation perfect!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 14, 2013

“Slightly disappointing !”
Stayed at kimball ground floor rooms for three nights. Although the room was clean with fridge,microwave and coffee maker there were no plates cutlery or cups to make a snack with. There is nowhere on the property to have lunch or buy drinks so we had to go out or fill our cool bags which fortunately we had brought with us! Other than that the staff were more than pleasant and helpful. We enjoyed our stay but probably would not stay again.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 14, 2013

“Nice place to stay”
We spent 5 days here, they were a great 5 days. The hotel is located in a great place. Bikes rentals were at the front desk. The rooms were always kept clean. Microwave and a mini refrigerator were provided for snacks and a cold one. It was nice to always have a cold one and some dip and chips. Breakfast was provided free in the dining room. Cold cereal, fruit, yogurt and hard boiled eggs were filling to get you going in the morning. The dinner ticket they give you at check-in is a little sketchy, the price for dinner seemed to be cheaper without the coupon. You can hop a bike and pedal the area to see the beautiful homes and hotels. Watch out for the wild life, you will definitely see them in the air and on the ground. The pool was clean refreshing after the bike ride or spending time on the beach. The beach was super. Shells, shells and more shells, we brought back about 5 pounds to share with out family. Dolphins can be seen almost all the time. This is not a 5 star hotel like you would find in the Bahamas or in West Palm Beach, but it fits in with the rest of the hotels and homes in the Sanibel area. We would return again.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 14, 2013

“Great Trip”
My wife and I just returned from a four night stay in the Kimble lodge. The room was very nice and well cared for. Everyone who worked there were great ambassadors and the other guests all seemed to enjoying their stay. We fished from the beach and it was good. We took a fishing charter on Tarpon bay and had agreat time. The last thing we did on the island was to book 4 more nights in august.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 13, 2013

“A Lovely Place to stay”
Many years ago our family spent a spring break in Fort Meyers Beach and visited Sanibel and Captiva very briefly (never made it to the beach). This Spring my husband and I stayed in a second floor, gulf view, kitchen suite in Kimball Lodge for 2 nights to see a bit more of this beautiful island. Our beachfront accomodations were great and Island Inn has a lovely, old Florida feel but very much updated with lots of property, family cottages as well as lodges, a pool, shuffle board, restaurant etc. We really enjoyed our private balcony, the beach just steps away, and the complimentary breakfast (hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt, pasteries, coffee) which kept us going all morning. It was a great stay! The one thing that did surprise me were the number of “big box” condo buildings that I passed on my long beach walk…I was expecting a more rugged, secluded feel as Sanibel surely was long ago. At the end of April (May 1st begins low season rates) there were still police directing traffic in some spots so I can’t imagine what the island is like during high season!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 9, 2013

“Best vacation ever!!”
My husband and I just returned from our first (of many) vacations to Sanibel Island. We spent 5 nights in Matthew’s Lodge. We loved having the screened porch! It was amazing to sit there in the morning drinking coffee and listening to the waves. It was also great in the evening to not have to deal with bugs. The room was clean and comfortable. We didn’t spend much time in it due to the gorgeous weather. We ate dinner in the restaurant one night. It was wonderful. All the staff at the inn was friendly and helpful. We spent most of our time laying on the beach and looking for shells. My husband found some gorgeous ones. There was nothing about this vacation and inn that I didn’t love. Being able to take our own cooler to the beach cut down the cost considerably. Awesome!!!!!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 9, 2013

“Nice location on Sanibel Island”
The best thing about this hotel is the location, right on the beach with lots of seashells. It’s really an older motel that has been converted into an inn. My deal with hotwire was not honored when I got there because it was made after office hours but after a little negotiation we were able to get a room. The room was clean and updated from the original. There is an italian restaurant that seems to cater to the older crowd though there were people of all ages.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 7, 2013

“What a wonderful place to stay!”
My husband and I returned on April 27 from a 7-night stay (I wrote an earlier review but wanted to do some minor editing and so it had to be deleted). We were in Kimball, with a kitchen and screened-in gulf view balcony. What a wonderful place to stay! The Inn reminded me of the beach resort my parents took me to in the early 1960s. The Inn has lots of charm AND 21st century amenities. When I made our reservation I mentioned we’d be celebrating our anniversary during our stay. When we arrived there was a really nice welcome note and a bottle of sparkling wine in the fridge! It’s rare to find that attention to detail and welcome at other resorts. Every staff member we came into contact with – at the front desk, breakfast, and the housekeeping/grounds crew – was unfailingly pleasant and helpful. We enjoyed the breakfasts. The pastries were very flaky and delicious (I’d love to get the recipe for the raspberry pastry). The eggs and yogurt were good and provided sufficient protein. Overall, the breakfast offerings were excellent. The shelling at the beach was so good we didn’t bother to go anywhere else. We ate at Traditions and were happy with our dinner and the service. We also enjoyed tennis, shuffleboard, and horseshoes at the Inn. We definitely would like to return to the Inn and I’ve already recommended the Inn to friends. Thank you for helping to make our vacation a terrific one.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 7, 2013

“A++”
Ours was a 4 day, 3 night stay in Kimball Lodge; 2nd floor with kitchen. The weather can’t be controlled but we were blessed with beautiful weather which enhanced an already wonderful destination. We wound up at Island Inn because our first choice (also in top 6 on Trip Advisor) didn’t have online reservations and the other location’s poor communication made it difficult to book with them, but….so glad it worked out that way. Island Inn is now our first choice! The reservation process was flawless and the reminder email prior to our visit was the best I’ve ever received. Our room was very nicely decorated, comfortable and even had a screened balcony facing the beach. We didn’t eat dinner at Traditions, only breakfast, but met a few people who just raved about it. All staff we encountered were extremely friendly and easily identifiable, regardless where they were working. Unlike the other location where we didn’t go, this location’s beach access is free of stickers (little thorny weeds that embed themselves in bare feet) and had foot washing stations.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 5, 2013

“Great location”
Trip Advisor gives you a fair and honest impression of what to expect at the Island Inn. Full of old world charm we stayed in Kimball just 15 seconds walk from the wonderful beach. On our first morning we spotted dolphins a few metres from the shore. The Island was very busy as it was Spring break but once you are on the island, why would you want to leave!? As first timers to Florida we were very impressed with the customer service and the location we chose to spend our first week before heading to Orlando. Yes, the breakfast is predictable but then it is complimentary and the service with a smile from the staff makes the walk to the restaurant worthwhile alone. We hired bikes for 3 days – well worth while and ate at Traditions twice – good if not a little pricey as are most good restaurants on the island. We would certainly return and it would be 5/5 but for the lack of breakfast variety and pricey Traditions.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 4, 2013

“Beautiful Place to stay”
On our trip through Florida we made a stopover on Sanibel Island. The Island Inn is a beautiful place to stay with a private beach. The rooms are clean and the people are very friendly. We liked it!!!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 4, 2013

“Great hotel, laid back atmosphere”
Very pleased with the hotel. We stayed in the Kimball block, room was comfortable and clean. Fridge and microwave but no crockery or utensils.

Breakfast was basic, could have done with a bit more choice, toaster perhaps and give the pastries a miss.

Staff were very friendly, the bloke collecting the sunbeds at the end of the day was always pleasant having a quick chat with you on the beach each evening. I was impressed with their thoughtfulness as they put a bottle of sparkling wine in the room on our arrival as it was our daughter’s 21st birthday.

Grounds are well maintained.

Location is great although slightly disappointed with the beach, quite narrow in places.

Would definately return.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: May 2, 2013

“Old Florida Charm”
We spent the end of our Florida vacation here and wished we had stayed here longer.
The beach was the shelliest place we found on Sanibel. We covered the blue table on the porch with shells and had a towel on the floor with more! Our 2nd floor Kimball Queen suite was clean and the bed was very comfortable. We enjoyed the screened porch for coffee in the morning, drinks in the afternoon and we watched the sunset on the front 2nd floor porch with our Stone Crab Dinner.
We rented bikes and toured the area, we didnt have a chance to have dinner at Traditions, but there is live music everynight and we stopped in one night for drinks at the bar and danced with the band and other guests. The free breakfast is perfect—pastries, fresh fruit, yougurt, juice and hot beverages.
Bring a flashlight the grounds are dark at night.
The Inn is old fashioned, grounds are beautiful and we felt we were really away from it all. We will be back!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 28, 2013

“Comfortable stay in a lovely spot”
The Island Inn is an old fashioned kind of a resort, with very helpful staff. The block that our room was in looked a bit like a prefab office block when we first went in but our room was fine; very clean and large. There was a large shared balcony and kind of social/games room which was good to have in our block.

We really loved Sanibel and would go back; hiring bikes to go around the nature park was great. It was so relaxing and different to anywhere else I’d been to in the US. Not sure if we’d go back to the Island Inn.

Traditions (the on site restaurant was overpriced with not great food – lovely views slightly hindered by dusty shutters which isn’t so pleasant to be right next to when eating; although I understand the restaurant isn’t run by the Island Inn owners.)

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 22, 2013

“Winter Relief”
My wife and I stayed for 4 Nights. We stayed in the Gulfview Deluxe Room @ Kimball Lodge, Rm 248 it was very clean. The mattress was to hard for us, however I found out later I should of asked for a different mattress because they said they have alternative mattresses(hard, softer, ect.) that is on me I should have known. The porch(lanai) was screened in. I loved sitting there early in the morning (I am up at 5am can’t help it) having my coffee while my wife slept just listening to the waves coming in, fantastic. We had a rent a car so we were able to get around to see all the restaurants and sights. We even went into Fort Myers one day, I’d rather stay on Sanibel Island though to busy. If you like to bicycle it is a fantastic place to be also. You can go all over the Island on a bicycle and you can rent them right there.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 22, 2013

“Relaxing and Low Key”
My husband and I just completed a 4 night stay at the Island Inn in Sanibel, Florida. We were very comfortable there…..very friendly, welcoming office staff, clean and manicured grounds, our room was spotless, which is very important to me. I never saw any kind of bug the entire stay. Loved the large screened in porch which faced the gulf. The full kitchen was great, handy for heating up our restaurant leftovers. Great beach access, it was nice being able to take the chaise lounges onto the beach. We rented bikes right from the office, as well as a beach umbrella. The pool could have been larger, as it was full of families with small children most of the time, but we were more than happy swimming in the 80 degree gulf water. Beds were a bit too firm for my taste, I am used to a pillow-top mattress, but overall, if you don’t need an over the top, upscale type of hotel, the quiet, charming old Florida style Island Inn is for you. Very nice place!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 22, 2013

“Long Weekend Getaway”
We had been to Sanibel for the day a few years ago but wanted to go back to spend some time there. This long weekend has just made us want to go back again! The hotel is clean and well maintained. You would never think this hotel was over 100 years old. The staff is very friendly and the rooms are clean and well appointed. We loved being able to relax in the pool after spending the day shelling or biking. The town of Sanibel is definitely a bikers dream – you can bike pretty much anywhere on the island.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 22, 2013

“First time on Sanibel”
We are not shell collectors. We did not care for the beach, you can’t walk without shoes. While it’s a beautiful view, we preferred the pool. The room was ok. They worked hard to make sure things were clean, but some sort of night crawlers came out overnight and they were on walls and floors in the morning. Staff would have them disappear by afternoon.

Breakfast was typical continental, nothing special thought nice to have. The Inn is not close to much. Bike rentals on site were a big bonus. We did ride quite a bit and the island has good bike paths.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 18, 2013

“Lovely Anniversary Visit”
We so loved, loved our visit to Island Inn. We were there November 2012. The location, the grounds, our cottage and the staff were ever so perfect. We stayed in the Matthews Cottage, 3 couples with plenty of room. The close access to the beach was super. I would never even consider anywhere else and would certainly tell everyone to go there. Charming comes to mine but Perfect is a better description!!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 16, 2013

“Casual and comfortable”
Just spent a long weekend at the Island Inn. First stay on Sanibel. Reminds me of Harbour County Michigan. The resort is a well established spot. We found the accommodations clean, simple and comfortable. The screened in porch on the first floor of Matthews Lodge, room 211, next to the office, made me nervous at first, but was actually lovely. We enjoyed sitting out in the mid afternoon out of the sun or early evening people watching the folks coming to dinner at Traditions, the on site restaurant. Despite the proximity to these areas, it felt private, quiet and relaxed. This is not an elegant, upscale resort. But at this price point, it was perfect. We had originally booked a spot for $100.00 more per night, but as I read disparate reviews, we decided to go for a modest price with lower expectations. Island Inn was perfect. Relaxed, laid back, quiet. Could use more shade umbrellas for beach and pool and some new beach chairs. Pool is small and mostly for the kids. Good old fashioned laid back Floridian charm. Nice beach access to walk and go shelling and take in the sun, surf and sunset. Good access to the main road with restaurants and bike rentals for the many paths. Worked for us. Provided me with a feather pillow on request.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 14, 2013

“Great Spring Break Week!”
We were looking for a relaxing, charming, resort style place with a little “old Florida” charm. We found it! Rooms were very clean and comfortable (we stayed in the Matthews buiding). View was beautiful and the staff was very friendly. Breakfast coffee and pastries were a great way to start the day in the lodge. Location is perfect, sun sets are spectacular.

We hope to visit again.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 13, 2013

“Charming inn”
The Island Inn in Sanibel Island, Florida, is the island’s oldest inn and it is a lovely, well-situated property right on the Gulf. My husband & I have been visiting this inn for years. We stay in Kimball Lodge, one of several buildings at the inn and it is situated overlooking the Gulf. Our room was clean and very spacious. The employees are friendly and helpful. The inn has a heated pool, shuffleboard, volleyball & wonderful beach lounge chairs that one can take on the beach. The shelling is incomparable. It is the only inn that offers a complimentary, continental breakfast. The rates are reasonable compared to other similar properties. One can also rent bicycles at the inn. The restaurant at the inn is one of the better ones on the island. We will return again next year!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 10, 2013

“Wonderful stay at the Island Inn”
Long weekend getaway April 5-8th at the Island Inn, Sanibel, Florida. We arrived early prior to the check-in at 3pm. The front desk personnel took my cell phone number and said she would try to accommodate us for early check-in. We were called at 1:30 stating our room was ready and that we could check in. Overall they were very efficient and willing to help in anyway. We stayed in a Gulfview Studio, Starky Lodge. The rooms are appointed very nicely and are not beat-up. You can tell they have recently been renovated – nice granite counter-tops, appliances, comfortable beds, hardwood floors. There is a window air conditioner and a nice ceiling fan. Housekeeping staff very efficient. There is no balcony but a very large window faces the gulf of mexico. Continental breakfast from 8 to 10 in the a.m. could have more choices (lots of pastries) but hard boiled eggs, fruit and low-fat yogurt were nice healthful choices. Restaurant on premises, Traditions on the Beach, (dinner only) very good food, good service. They have bicycles for rent and chairs for use on the beach are free. Swimming pool is very nice. They do not have a pool-side bar (go to WestWind Inn for that; 1/2 mile away). They do not have a fitness center. Overall very nice place; would definitely go there again. Happy Shelling!!!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 9, 2013

“Second Time’s The Charm”
My wife, two daughters and I stayed at the Island Inn last year and had a great time. In fact, we had such a good time that we made the unprecedented decision to repeat our vacation this year. How would we feel about our stay the second time around?
Surprisingly, we LOVED our stay as much this year as we did the last despite the less than wonderful weather. This year we stayed at another cottage, the Sea Grape and it was wonderful. In some ways it was the polar opposite of the Matthews Cottage in that while the Sea Grape may lack historical charm, it more than made up for it with a number of modern/updated furnishings.
As I mentioned, the weather did not cooperate as well as we would have liked this year. But the Island Inn saved the day. Last year, my family and I did nothing but relax on the private beach front area in front of the Inn. Because of the weather, we needed other options. Since the Island Inn was centrally located (you can literally reach most places by bicycle : restaurants, grocery stores, Ding Darling, C.R.O.W, etc.) we took full advantage of what Sanibel had to offer. Plus, the Inn’s heated pool was a godsend!
The staff were all wonderful, and bent over backwards to assist us, and the complimentary breakfast was just what we needed .
Our stay was just as good as last year, and in some ways, better.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 8, 2013

“Island Inn Grows on You”
Just returned from a 4-night stay at the Island Inn. Myself and my two
adult daughters. The resort is ideally located AWAY from Periwinkle Road
- which was gridlock for most of our stay. Who wants to spend their
vacation stuck in traffic ? Short trips to the market or a couple
excellent restaurants were easy to navigate without going on the main
drag. The resort offers plenty to do – bikes, kayaks and paddle boards
to rent. Beach chairs, volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes are free.
Rainy-day game room is a great idea! Lots of common areas for all guests
to enjoy. Our room was clean and tidy. Staff is friendly and helpful.
The resort was booked solid, yet it didn’t feel overly busy and we never
felt crowded. We met some very nice people. Maid service was always
timely everyday. The “Continental breakfast” consists of coffee, juice,
limited choice of yogurt, assortment of bad pastries, and what my
waitress-while-in-college daughters refer to as “bucket” fruit. How hard
could it be to put out some cereal and milk? Maybe plug in a toaster?
Once was enough of that – we bought cereal and bananas etc and had in our
room. The bedsheets were thin and rough – not something you would want
to sleep on with a sunburn! At $350 per night, I expected a better
breakfast and softer sheets. And some of the bikes and paddleboards have
broken seats and half-ripped straps. There are some out-buildings on the
resort that seem to have no purpose. They are rundown and detract from
the resort’s appearance, as does the cache of garbage cans/dumpsters that
I think are supposed to be hidden behind the restaurant but are actually
quite visable. What a contrast to the lush, manicured, landscaped
entrance. And so goes the whole resort – it’s a great big oxymoran,
contrasting most things quite good with other things not so much.
Shortcomings aside, the Island Inn is still a definate thumbs-up for us.
We will be back

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 5, 2013

“Disappointed”
Booked with Expedia, reservation said gulf view – very hard to see. Our room was at the entrance of the building, next to the ice machine and elevator. Although the hotel had a cancellation, they would not upgrade without paying rack rate. It was 5:00pm. Front desk help were polite; but unhelpful.
The hotel blamed the description of our room on Expedia and told us to go back to Expedia. Big question is doesn’t Expedia rely on the information the hotel property provides?
Based upon our experience, I would not recommend The Island Inn to friends

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 2, 2013

“First Time At Island Inn”
We have visited Sanibel for the last seven years for our anniversary trip and stayed at a hotel just down the beach from Island Inn for a week . I found my prior location to be in a year after year downward spiral and mentioned it on this forum twice and to the hotel management. I could no longer take the deterioration of this once fine establishment both in the physical appearance and the staff attitude. Last year I did a little looking around and reading up on area hotels on West Gulf Drive and decided to try the Island Inn. I was not disappointed except for the cold weather in any aspect of my stay. I got right into my room in the early afternoon on a very busy day. The rental bikes were cheap, plentiful and easy to ride. The porch was a super additon and we ate lunch at the table several times. Large ice machine, clean laundry room with several machines, plenty of chairs for the beach, the breakfast was open before the announced opening of 8 am, the little library, free computer access the barbeque grills which we used and the general cleanliness of the grounds.
Traditions was a one night event for us during our week long stay because we prefer to dine at various locations. The service and meal was top notch and the waiter gets five stars,
We get up and get out early. This was recognized by the lady who did an outstanding job every day with our rooms. She had our room ready every day when we returned sometimes as early as eleven am.
The entire staff was friendly and there for you. They always asked how we were doing and what we might need.
We couldn’t wait until next March and already booked for the big house on 01/01/2014. Better book this place quick.
Keep up the terrific work.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: April 2, 2013

“A friendly low key vacation”
The Island Inn is fairly large, lots of rooms and a few cottages, but it was also very peaceful. I kept wondering where all the people were. I loved sitting on our screened in balcony looking out at the ocean. The room was very comfortable, the mattress anesthetic! I have never slept so well. Their long beach front was wonderful and walking the beach an incredible pleasure. I developed the Sanibel stoop as I picked up all kinds of shells. There were two lounges with books, puzzles, and games as well as several shuffleboard courts. The pool is small, but I never saw more than 7 people in it. Continental breakfast which is included was skimpy. The exact same food every day, no toast or other non sweet bread stuff, and no cereal. If you go, bring your own cereal, especially if you have children. You would not want them eating donuts or pastry every day.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 30, 2013

“Too expensive for what it was”
We arrive kind of late afternoon and checked in. Very friendly front desk and very organized. WE had a room in the Kimball Lodge over looking the beach on the first floor, but when we walked in down the corridor first thing you notice a funny smell of old carpet mixed with some kind of powder to conceal it… like grandma’s house… not too appropriated for a pricey resort.
The room was very clean and roomy. Bathroom little small.
We decided to go shelling that evening and walk on the beach, we walk down the corridor to a common room that had chairs, tables and couches that remind me “Golden Girls” tv serial décor. completely passé, such a huge space spared like that. There were books, board games and puzzles but it wasn’t inviting to seat there at all… creepy I will say!
Since there is not much nite life we decide to get back into the hotel and watch a movie online… sure ! Wi fi was so sketchy that we got too frustrated, and had to abandon our idea… boring!
A hotel of this price and bad wifi? please !

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 21, 2013

“Island Inn”
Service at the Island Inn was wonderful! We had a room in the Kimball lodge, first floor overlooking the gulf. Very private, but just a quick stroll to the beach. It would have been nice to have a few more choices for the complementary breakfast, but overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 20, 2013

“Truly wonderful!”
We only stayed 1 night….but I thought it was the best night of our 7 day trip to the area. Very friendly staff, our room was near the back of Kimball Lodge, but we had an unobstructed view of the beach and had the patio door open all night to hear the waves crashing on the beach. The room was very cute, nice and clean, comfy beds, a nice bathroom which was recently renovated, very good shower. It was very quiet on the property, not many people around, so it was perfect.

It was wonderful to stay right on the beach and take long walks. The pool is tiny, and luckily no one else was using it. The property is very nicely maintained. The location is also quite nice, the beach wasn’t too busy. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate, it was mostly overcast the 2 days on Sanibel so we didn’t experience the sunset. Even after we checked out they made us feel welcome to stay on the property.

Also, bad luck for us, was the “red tide” problem the area has been having, lots of dead fish floating in the water and washing up on the beach, but it wasn’t too bad here at the beach at the Island Inn. It didn’t get in the way of enjoying our time at the Island Inn and I would love to return!! The sea shells on the beach are amazing!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 19, 2013

“Paradise”
My fiance and I spent a week in March at the Island Inn. It is a beautiful place, the sunset from the Inn are amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful, we even recruited one of the staff to be our photographer one afternoon. Cant wait to go back next year!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 16, 2013

“Lovely and Low Key”
I just spent five days on vacation here and had a very relaxing time. I stayed in a Gulf View room at Matthews Lodge which came as advertised. There was a wonderful screened-in porch with a view of the property and Gulf. My room had a comfortable sleeping area and a fully equipped kitchen that served my needs. There were also charcoal grills on the property as well as a smallish heated . The beach was a short walk away with lounge chairs and towels available. All of the staff I encountered were professional and friendly. Bikes, kayaks, and paddle boards were available for rental. Close to Ding Darling. I can’t wait to return next year.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 15, 2013

“Paradise!!”
Excellent facility, nice old charm. Friendly helpful staff, great sunset views. Only thing I’d change is waiter “George” at Traditions, the restaurant on site, he was awful. Food was great though! Can’t wait to go back.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 15, 2013

“My Favorite Paradise”
The oldest and most beautiful hotel on sanibel! It has so much charm, it’s incredible. Most of the rooms have balconys or walk out onto the beach. There are only about 50 rooms on this huge property, so you never feel like you’re at a crowded resort. They have a pool, volleyball, kayaks to rent… so fun!

One of my favorite things is the little library they have with all of the old photo albums about the hotel. So fun.

My girlfriends and i stayed in one of the cottages that had french doors opening up to the beach! It was so gorgeous. All the beds were comfortable, and the rooms were perfectly decorated – you knew you were at the beach, but it wasnt tacky or kitchy like some of these places!!!

The staff were super sweet and helpful with restaurant suggestions and attractions. They also have Tradition’s On the Beach restaurant right there on the property! A must-do. It was our favorite dinner when we were there.

I’d definitely say this is the perfect place to go unwind with your friends, spouse or family. BUT if you insist on doing work or checking your facebook, they have free Wifi It’s nice to know you wont be charged an extra $10 here and there. The price we were quoted is what we payed! No resort fee!

I love the island inn. i can’t wait to go back!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 14, 2013

“A little piece of paradise!”
We found this gem when researching hotels for an overnight get-a-way and to satisfy a shelling obsession my wife has since we retired to the east coast of Florida last June from Ohio. The Island Inn satisfied both needs of a great deal (October) and an amazing selection of sea shells. Since that first visit, we have longed to return to the Island Inn, what for only one night became our little piece of paradise on the Gulf coast. We can not wait to return next fall to once again enjoy all the Inn has to offer its guests. The Island Inn is not a luxurious resort but rather a small haven that caters to its guests. Initially when we checked in one woman sitting off to the right behind the check-in desk, was not the most cordial, welcoming individual and we though “OH NO”. The young lady who checked us in however, could not be more pleasant and wonderful. As a matter of fact she shared that a young boy the day before we arrived collected a huge shell from their beach and that put my wife in a frenzy to get to the water. The rest of the staff was terrific and went out of their way to provide great customer service. I have read complaints on here about this and that which is hogwash. The facilities were fully renovated and the “free” continental breakfast was filling with donuts, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. Like I shared, the price was great in the fall and we could not return this spring because prices were considerably higher during their “high” season. However, research the other area hotels and resorts, Sanibel is not a cheap place to visit, but the Island Inn’s location and eagerness to please was worth it and you will not get closer to the beach. The nice thing is they allow you to drag the chaise lounges a small distance to the water. We love the Island Inn, my wife especially with all the shells she collected right within a shell’s throw of our door (bad pun). We can’t wait to return to the Island Inn this fall!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 12, 2013

“What’s Not to Like??”
We found Island Inn almost two years ago to the date. Since our initial visit, we have travelled back from Nashviile TN many times to enjoy this laid back, quaint little piece of paradise. I am counting the days impatiently to our next visit in April.

Island Inn is not a new, ultra luxurious resort. It is a small establishment that caters to its guests. The staff is wonderful and goes out of their way to provide really great customer service. As soon as we enter the office, we feel “at home.” The facilities are fully renovated. We have watched this business grow so much in two years. Not by the number of rooms thankfully but, by putting money back into the business and offering more amenities for the guests.

Are the rates expensive? Yes. However, please research the Sanibel/Captiva area. This island area is a touch expensive. The inn’s rates are not out of line, accordingly. If condos are what you like, they are abundant. While they may be seem cost efficient, you will not get closer to the beach on Sanibel than Island Inn. I told my boss about Island Inn but, he opted for a condo. I had to chuckle when I saw his pictures. It looks like we visited two entirely different places. His condo rental complex was crowded, 100+ rental units and he had a lot more distance between the beach and his screened in porch than we do. Sorry but, we like dragging the lounges a short distance to the water and enjoying the beautiful crystal clear water. The beach is just an amazing work of art by Mother Nature.

The breakfast is limited but, we find it nice it’s provided. Sometimes we take advantage of it and other times we cook in the kitchen in our room, provided we have one. Our personal favorite is the Kimball Lodge. We stayed at Matthews Lodge the last visit. We had more room to spread out and a larger screened in porch. However, it is farther from the beach. We like being as close to water as possible. However, every room we’ve had has been very nice. If no rooms are available with a screened in porch, we choose a different time. We LOVE our private screened in porch!! We love Island Inn!! It’s a place we seek shelter, to totally relax and escape the hectic pace of our daily lives. Thank you Island Inn for providing such a great place, and a wonderful staff. We can’t wait to see you April 8th!!

Traditions is an excellent restaurant with fine dining. We reserve the restaurant for special occasions, as it is expensive. We are happy to buy some groceries, and lay on the beach as much as possible. Our favorite place on island to purchase groceries is Jerry’s. They have a wonderful selection of foods. Jerry’s sets in a complex that has beautiful gardens and wonderful exotic birds. Doc Ford’s is a must for lunch … outdoor dining, if you choose and wonderful food!!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 6, 2013

“relaxing girl’s weekend”
My grown daughter and I were at the Island Inn for three nights as a getaway. I chose it because it sounded low-key and quiet. Our room was lovely, two queen beds, lots of comfy pillows, a great kitchen and bath. The only thing I missed was private outdoor space, we had no balcony or porch. But we got Margaritas at the bar and sat on the beach! It was exactly as I hoped it would be. We got lunch stuff at the grocery store. We ate at Traditions our last night and it was a FABULOUS meal. A bit pricey, but everything we had was amazing. The live music was subdued and enjoyable. I am sure that I will return with my husband in the future or perhaps a yearly event with my daughter!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 5, 2013

“Nice Beach Hotel.”
We stayed 6 nights in the end of our 2 weeks’ vacation in South Florida, Feb 2013.
We had a good room with a kitchen and balcony with sea view. Everything was fine and the staff very friendly.The location on the beach is absolutely perfect.

The first morning we had breakfast in the restaurant. We missed some bread and oatmeal, so the next morning’s we enjoyed breakfast in our room with sea view.
We had dinner 3 nights in the restaurant “Tradition in the beach”. The name tells the truth. It is a good classic restaurant with mix of seafood/Italian/American food. I will remember the fresh Oysters, the steak and the Key Lime Pie. The 3 nights we had live music – traditional style.

There is a small heated pool at the hotel, but for a longer swim I preferred the big one – the Gulf. Be prepared! – in February the water is cold, much colder than the pool. But come on – just do it!

At the hotel we rented bikes 4 days. It was a very good experience. We hit every bike route on Sanibel and Captiva. The bike routes on Sanibel are separated from the roads. It is secure and very good.
I did have some trouble with the WI-FI in the room, but actually it was OK on the balcony.

The highlights of Sanibel are the beach and the birds, so remember to take a long walk on the beach. Highly recommended is a visit to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on a bike.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 3, 2013

“Quite/Beautiful Views/Relaxing”
This was my first time staying on Sanibel. I read many Tripadvisor reviews and did a lot of searching online before I made my choice for the Island Inn. After all it had everything I was looking for, views of the beach, room with kitchen,(Kimball) continental breakfast in the morning, pool, rented bicycles, laundry area, shell cleaning area, restaurant on property( Traditions) one of the best on the island. The staff was always pleasant, and easy to speak with, housekeeping very friendly. It was a very quite and relaxing here. The view from the Kimball second floor sundeck was amazing especially sunset. The room was exactly what me and my husband needed. Loved our screened in balcony. The restaurant was perfect, didn’t have to drive around looking for a place to eat, especially when the food was amazing right on property. The only drawback to our trip was the Red Tide while we were staying through the week, but we made the best of it. Great job Island Inn….see you next year.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 2, 2013

“Except For Dinner”
Let’s get this out of the way. We are not big Traditions fans. Last year our experience for dinner was not good. Overpriced, crowded, loud and really subpar service. This year, we did not patronize Traditions but took advantage of the extremely convenient cooking facilities in our wonderful room with a view of the Gulf and sunsets. The Inn accommodations are excellent and this includes by the way, the complementary breakfast; nothing fancy, just wholesome decent food with a family atmosphere. Because of Traditions, we almost chose not to return this year. Instead, we returned and dined elsewhere. We are very glad we did and will try to return next year for our fourth visit, hoping to get another room in Matthews Lodge, a great winter escape.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: March 2, 2013

“Nice/clean but over priced”
not as quaint as we interpretted their write up. Words like historical and Lodge convinced us that a higher rate would be worth it as our quick/short excursions are our way to quickly unwind from a hectic career. Lodge was a classic 1960s two story rectangle no character building. Rooms were well kept but not upscale for the $300+ rate. Beach is small and the water can be very rough and dirty due to it’s southern exposure. Loved the area but would look further north on Sanibel or more likely Captiva. Captiva is a bit further “up the road” but well worth it with some neat marina cottages, condo rentals(good to think about as restaurants are expensive), and other multi unit accommodations.

Traditions appetizers was a good experience, breakfast is basic coffee and not so interesting pastries. Check out Cabbage Key for a day/night trip.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 27, 2013

“a Great find on Trip Advisor”
I take a couple of trips a year to the “right” coast of Florida (live in Juno Beach). Learned that the best time to go is before the kids get out of school or right after they go back in August. So less crowded! My main reason for going is to enjoy the wonderful bicycle trails on Sanibel/Captiva. I found the Island Inn this past September to be perfect, very quiet, clean pretty rooms with nice screened in balconies/patios and views of the bay. Stayed 3 nights just for some single R&R. Dined in their onsite restaurant one night and had a very good meal. Took advantage of their mid island proximity the other nights and enjoyed some local favorite dining spots. Will definitely go back as I enjoyed my stay very much!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 26, 2013

“A place to relax”
We spent a night here on our south Florida trip. Right on the beautiful beach. We got a very nice room with a view of the sea. We arrived early so our room was not ready but the friendly staff gave us beach towels so we took a walk down the beach. When our room was ready they came looking for us! Great service! We will try to be back! The Traditions restaurant in the hotel is excellent too!

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 16, 2013

“A traditional island inn”
We love the Island Inn for its low key ambience, its comfortable rooms, its large sand patio as a quiet place to relax other than the beach and hot sun, its excellent dining room (Traditions), its wonderful friendly staff, and the short direct access to the beach. It is centrally located on the Gulf beach shore with quick access (for us, by bicycle) to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Shell Museum, CROW, SCCF, Historical Village, grocery store and shopping. We eagerly anticipate our next visit immediately after finishing our current visit.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 14, 2013

“Tranquility”
We loved every minute of our 3 nights in the Matthews Cottage at the Island Inn. The cottage was beautiful, spacious for 2 couples, comfortable & spotless. We prepared our own lunch & dinner in the renovated kitchen. With a beautiful view from the dining area, why would you want to dine anywhere else? The breakfast offered at Traditions was wholesome & a perfect way to start the day. Every staff member whom we encountered was polite & helpful. The peace & quiet was just lovely. We regretted not booking for longer. We decided to extend our stay in Sanibel & had to go to a different Inn as the Island Inn did not have any vacancy. We stayed in a similar size cottage – there was no comparison whatsoever. The rate was cheaper but still overpriced for the quality of the accommodation. We enjoyed the bike trails & the dolphin cruise. Thank you, Island Inn, for a wonderful reprieve from the Canadian cold!! We’ll have to be satisfied now watching our videos.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 12, 2013

“robert and elizabeth sieber smiling entire time”
when we first arrived at the island inn the staff was very welcoming and very accomodating and friendly we got to our room loved how quaint it was walked out to the beach to see the water and immediately decided to see if we could stay longer than what our initial plan to stay 3 nights and we were able to get 3 more nights and we were able to stay in our room without having to move which was absolutely wonderful.it was very relaxing and had a cozy cottage feel without all the hussle and bussle the staff for maid service were very friendly beach was not crowded finding sea shells was fun multiple kinds even found a horse conch shell 13 inches long an incredible find at low tide alot of different birds to take photos of beautiful sunsets quiet and peaceful the traditions restaurant was nice with good entertainment and service

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 12, 2013

“Island Inn is something special…”
We enjoyed the Island Inn & Sanibel immensely – very relaxing and easy going.

All the staff we met were excellent – thanks to all of you.

Traditions was superb – the entertainment was exceptional – very talented people.

We have already recommended Sanibel & The Island Inn to several friends – no huge condos or hotels – just modest buildings and cottages,
wonderful dining, no traffic lights!!! – It is a very special part of Florida.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 11, 2013

“A Romantic Escape”
We stayed twice in the same week in a deluxe room with kitchenette. We just loved Sanibel, the beach, the shelling, the romantic atmosphere, the gentle staff. We will return if we can. The restaurant is romantic too but the breakfast (complimentary) is very basic. But the place has its own magic – we travel all the time and there were few places, simple as this one, so fit for a romantic escape.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 11, 2013

“A true old Florida Inn – In a VERY good way!”
I’ve been bringing my family to the Island Inn for almost 30 years. In the past, the Inn was modified American Plan in season, with two meals a day included. The food was good, the service railroad-style. As those days drew to a close, the Inn tried a variety of alternatives, all without much success. When they stumbled on Traditions, they had a real winner! A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning, with the restaurant open for dinner at night. Hotel guests receive a substantial discount for dining there. Live entertainment is provided most nights, and the quality is excellent, both for listening and dancing.

The Inn is owned by a group of private shareholders dedicated to preserving the traditions and style of the first hotel on the island. Many of the guests are repeat customers who return often.

The Inn is conveniently located. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with accomodations a bit like a cabin rather than a hotel. Many of the rooms come with a small but adequate kitchen. Most have outstanding views of the ocean.

The rooms have modern amenities, like big screen TV, cable chanels, A/C, large modern baths, but you are missing the true experience of this hotel if you spend a lot of time in your room.

The public areas generally have a game of cards, or two, and a few puzzles in the works. The conversation is congeanial, and the feeling is almost like being on a cruise ship. At sundown, many guests gather on the balcony at the rear of Kimbel Lodge each night to watch the sun go down. (Put on bug spray for this!)

I have saved the very best for last, however. The beach in from of the Inn is one of the best shelling areas on the entire island!

If you are looking for a glass and chrome high-rise hotel experience, give the Island Inn a pass. If you want a relaxing vacation with the feeling of being on a cruise ship, this would make a great choice.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: February 11, 2013

“Clean & comfy”
My husband and I spent a week in one of the deluxe rooms with kitchenette. Loved how clean our room was and was maintained all week. Thanks, cleaning staff!

The room itself is nothing fancy, but when your days revolve around beach, sand, biking and kayaking it seemed a fitting place to stay. We slept like babies every night & liked the firm beds.

Having the fully equipped kitchen made our stay comfortable. We picked up groceries at nearby Bailey’s Market & made our own breakfasts and an occasional lunch. (Went to the breakfast buffet the first morning, but preferred simply having cereal in the room over the sweet rolls provided.) A tip: Pack your favorite spices in ziploc bags. The knives are incredibly dull, so may want to bring your own knives (in your checked bag!) if planning to do any serious cooking. I nearly hacked off my finger multiple times just trying to cut limes and mango.

The weather was warm enough for a swim in the pool for 2 of our 7 days on Sanibel. We took a few enjoyable dips to cool off after bike riding.

The rental bikes at Island Inn are basic 1-speeds, but that is all you need on this flat island. No one is racing around at high speeds on the bike paths. We rode our bikes all over the island, and would pick up groceries on bikes too. Loved leaving the car parked as much as possible.

We tried a few appetizers at Traditions. Highly recommend the fresh oysters that are ordered by the dozen. A huge treat for a midwesterner in February. The live music was geared for the retired crowd, but very lively and fun to see lots of couples dancing. What a shame that my generation never learned to dance properly!

Our other dining favorite was small plate dining at Sweet Melissa’s. The chef/owner works elbow to elbow with her staff and you can taste the passion that goes into the food. Call for a reservation, as this place fills fast.

Enjoy the shelling and bird watching. Both are amazing. We forgot our binoculars and bird book, but next time we will be properly “geeked out” to enjoy these activities.

Thanks to all at the Island Inn for a fabulous week! We hope to come back soon.

- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: November 5, 2012

“A Wonderful Wedding Weekend!”
My husband and I, along with our families, stayed at the Island Inn the weekend of Jan. 12th. We were married on the beach and had a wedding dinner at Traditions (the resort’s restaurant) that evening. I wasn’t sure what to expect having never been to Sanibel Island before, but I would definately recommend this resort and restaurant, and we hope to someday go back! The entire staff of Island Inn and Traditions were wonderful! They were helpful, friendly and accomodating! The rooms were clean, newely remodeled, but in a charming “old cottage” feel that was repeated throughout the resort and restaurant! There were several comments made that the dinning room reminded them of the finial scene from “Dirty Dancing.” Very cool. We enjoyed the beach, shelling, and stand-up paddel boarding, but would recommend bug spray to anyone who is visiting the area, as the “no-see-um” bites we all got were aweful, and a week later still itch like crazy! The restaurant featured live entertainment and we spent our evenings listening to the piano player and singers while enjoying a cocktail and dancing. Although our vacation included other hotels and accomodations, we all agree this was our favorite part of the trip!
- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: January 21, 2013

“A perfect get-away!”
Wow, what a place! I stayed over New Years, meeting family from all over at the Island Inn and I have to say it was perfect! First, the location couldnt be better – the beach was fairly quiet compared to the public beaches, and the Inn is close to shopping and restaurants. We rented bikes one afternoon, riding to the light house – very recommend this!
The staff the Island Inn were first rate! From the front desk to the helpful, sweet and friendly housekeepers – we couldnt have enjoyed the staff more. You all are gifted in the art of hospitality. How could anyone say Thank You enough for making a family reunion better?
The Traditions restaurant was simply off the charts – my mother and I are still talking about how fantastic the food and superb the service was! The cuisine was delectable, tasty, beautifully presented and served with precision service. I felt like I was in Paris again!
Our rooms were wonderful – views, quiet, clean – ideal for the weary traveler in need of haven.
What more could I say than we just loved Island Inn and hope to return over and over again!
Here, Here, Island Inn – I raise a glass in toast of you making a long-in-coming family reunion the best of the best!
- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: January 18, 2013

“Perfection”
My wife and I stayed at the Island Inn for a portion of our honeymoon from January 1, 2013 until January 6, 2013. I cannot say enough about the professionalism, charm, and cleanliness of this establishment. With reasonably priced bike rentals, kayak rentals, and a gorgeous, shell-filled beach footsteps away, there truly is something for everyone at the Island Inn. We stayed in the Matthews Lodge, room 221, and we had a great view, and a charming, yet chic, room with all of the amenities one would expect from a first class establishment. The front desk staff was courteous, professional, and attentive to detail; there was even a bottle of chilled champagne waiting for the “honeymoon couple” upon our arrival. This place is worth every penny, and the prices were extremely reasonable when compared to other places on Sanibel Island.
For entertainment, and sheer bliss, my wife and I cycled the entire island, including the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, ate at a number of great restaurants nearby, and spent a couple of days kayaking on the ocean and through the wildlife refuge. On Sanibel Island, 60% of the land is protected natural habitat, and there are very few chain-type establishments (even those keep it classy). The beach near the lighthouse has nice, calm, shallow water, and would be a great place for a family beach day. On the Island Inn side of Sanibel, you are exposed to the Gulf, so the water gets deeper more quickly and there are seashells EVERYWHERE. My wife and I are not deep into shelling, but we did collect a few souvenirs for family members on our many beach walks. If you do happen to Love shelling, you want to go to Sanibel. Lots of birds, lots of nature, lots of amazing sunsets.
Regarding the hotel, in particular, some useful notes are that they do have a clean, functional laundry facility which is open during business hours, they have a nice heated pool, and there is a top tier restaurant on the Inn campus called Traditions. Some other great joints to eat include Matzaluna, which is a family Italian (think Independent Olive Garden with better food), Greenhouse Grill, another Italian restaurant (higher end; great for a romantic evening), the Sanibel Cafe, a daytime cafe (great breakfast and brunch), and, if you want to order pizza to your room, consider Island Pizza. The one bad restaurant we encountered was Fresh Taquiera. I have worked in the culinary industry for years, and I have no idea what this place was reaching for; I would, however, be willing to start a money pool on when the place goes under. I am thinking Early Spring, 2013.
At any rate, stay at the Island Inn. The Matthews lodge has a picturesque view that will frame a perfect getaway for any couple or family. Loved it. See ya’ again soon!
- TripAdvisor Review
Date of review: January 16, 2013

Read what else our guests have to say… ^[14]