Beach Shell Inn

With an entrance sign and low-level facade that looks straight out of the 1970s, there’s a certain quirky appeal to Beach Shell Inn from the outside. Unfortunately, the aesthetic crosses from delightfully old-fashioned to just plain dated once you get inside the guest rooms. They’re generally tidy, but many have a musty feel and the decor looks tired. There isn’t much of a social scene at this property, with guests tending to keep to themselves. Most guests use the inn as more of a crash pad, which means you’re likely to have the pool to yourself if you stick around during the day -- it’s clean and nice enough for a dip. The low rates and excellent location are a draw for budget-conscious travelers, but you’ll get better bang for your buck at properties like Carousel Inn on the Beach or The Neptune Resort.

Beach Shell Inn isn’t quite a beachfront property -- there's a wide stretch of sand located across a parking lot. It’s a 15-minute walk to Fort Myers Beach’s “Times Square,” with the main public beach and the pier, along with plenty of shops and restaurants. Guests can also hop on the beach trolley, which stops in front of the property, to get to Times Square, plus there are ample dining options along Estero Boulevard in either direction from the inn. Guests interested in wildlife-watching can head to Matanzas Pass Preserve, which is a six-minute walk away, or Lovers Key State Park, which can be reached in 10 minutes by car. It’s a 40-minute drive to the inn from Southwest Florida International Airport. 

Guest rooms at Beach Shell Inn are stuck in the 1980s and it’s definitely not in a charming, nostalgic way. They’re decorated with dark carpets and dated, mismatched furniture. Free Wi-Fi is about the only modern amenity -- some units also have flat-screen TVs, but you’ll find older tube TVs in others. Guest rooms come with mini-fridges and microwaves, while apartments and studios include full kitchens with ovens and dishwashers. Apartments also add separate living areas, which have a mix of furniture that usually includes at least one old-school Lazy Boy recliner.  All units face the courtyard pool, with a couple of the apartments offering balconies. Most bathrooms feature powder blue or sea green tiling, along with shower/tub combos. Off-brand bath products are provided, and counter space is limited. 

As a tiny, motel-style property, it’s to be expected that Beach Shell Inn’s on-site features are minimal. The centerpiece of the hotel is a good-size outdoor pool, surrounded by a concrete deck. Vinyl loungers and plastic tables line the pool’s edge, and there’s a small gas grill in one corner for guests to use. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there’s free self-parking in a lot found at the front of the property.