Pros

  • Rooms have large screened-in porches with seating areas
  • Larger rooms have kitchens equipped for cooking and washer/dryers
  • Free use of bicycles, kayaks, and paddle boards
  • Dedicated path access to private beach
  • Non-enclosed heated outdoor pool
  • Beachfront bar with tables
  • On-site tennis courts
  • Small outdoor gear shop
  • Business center with computer and printer
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Cons

  • Furniture, including TVs, may be a bit on tired side
  • Occasional report of stained carpeting and furniture in non-renovated rooms
  • Loan policy for bikes and loungers doesn't enforce timely return
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Bottom Line

Situated at the eastern end of Sanibel, less than a mile from the causeway bridge to the mainland, the 93 rooms here all offer condo-style living a few hundred feet from the sand. Comfortable beds and free bike loans -- as well as a heated outdoor pool -- are all special draws at this casual mid-range property, which consists of a few four-story pastel stucco buildings laid out among landscaped greenery. Some of the units have been modernized whereas other spaces may have slightly worn furniture or carpeting, with decor that may look dated for some tastes.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Sanibel Inn

Scene

Casual, well-manicured grounds 

Terracotta tiles in the main building’s lobby area make for a slightly formal but not too fancy first impression; the rest of the property is in the same vein. The expansive brown and white reception desk is mirrored by cushioned wicker furnishings. There’s some degree of landscaping of the native tropical plants and the grounds are neat without being fastidious, crisscrossed by rock-lined gravel paths, small sections of brick, and boardwalk. Guest rooms are housed in low-lying, pastel-colored stucco buildings, with both couples and families among the visitors.

See More Scene

Location

Situated on the beach, near the bridge to the mainland

With immediate access to a private beach, Sanibel Inn is located at the eastern end of the island, less than a mile from the causeway bridge. Thus, getting on and off the island is fairly quick. Guest-room buildings sit about a hundred yards from the oceanfront and are surrounded by palm trees. There are other hotels a few minutes’ walk away, but the grounds feel secluded. Commerce begins about a 25-minute walk from the inn, or a three-minute drive. Getting to eateries like The Jacaranda and Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen require super-short drives as well. Southwest Florida International Airport is about a 40-minute drive northeast.

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Rooms

Comfortable beds in plain, functional units with lanais; larger rooms have kitchens and washer/dryers

The Sanibel's guest units are laid out in classic condo style. Tiled floors abound except for in the bedrooms, which are covered in brown, industrial-style carpeting. Wicker and carved wood furniture, a few botanical prints, and wrought metal chandeliers all hint slightly at a colonial style. Besides this, the units are fairly plain, with some dated items like lime-green couches. Bedrooms have wood bed frames, and multiple past guests have commented on the comfort of the mattresses. All rooms have screened-in lanais with tables and chairs, microwaves, coffeemakers, fridges, and air-conditioning. Larger rooms have kitchens with dishwashers and counters that look out over living areas, ovens, toasters, cooking implements, and washer/dryers. Smaller rooms have standard plastic shower/tub combos, while two-bedroom units have tiled walk-in showers.

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Features

Free beach rentals, tiki bar, and outdoor pool

The hotel maintains both a tiki bar on the beach and a loan center for beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, and bikes that are included in the room price. There is a non-enclosed, heated swimming pool in the shape of an “L” that’s dipping-size, a small outdoor gear shop where hats, towels, and sunscreen are available for purchase, and a couple of tennis courts. A business center in the lobby provides computers and printers to print boarding passes. A picnic area has gas grills for public use, and there’s an on-site restaurant with a palapa-style dining area. Free Wi-Fi is available as well.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Sanibel Inn

Scene

Casual, well-manicured grounds 

Terracotta tiles in the main building’s lobby area make for a slightly formal but not too fancy first impression; the rest of the property is in the same vein. The expansive brown and white reception desk is mirrored by cushioned wicker furnishings. There’s some degree of landscaping of the native tropical plants and the grounds are neat without being fastidious, crisscrossed by rock-lined gravel paths, small sections of brick, and boardwalk. Guest rooms are housed in low-lying, pastel-colored stucco buildings, with both couples and families among the visitors.

See More Scene

Location

Situated on the beach, near the bridge to the mainland

With immediate access to a private beach, Sanibel Inn is located at the eastern end of the island, less than a mile from the causeway bridge. Thus, getting on and off the island is fairly quick. Guest-room buildings sit about a hundred yards from the oceanfront and are surrounded by palm trees. There are other hotels a few minutes’ walk away, but the grounds feel secluded. Commerce begins about a 25-minute walk from the inn, or a three-minute drive. Getting to eateries like The Jacaranda and Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen require super-short drives as well. Southwest Florida International Airport is about a 40-minute drive northeast.

See More Location

Rooms

Comfortable beds in plain, functional units with lanais; larger rooms have kitchens and washer/dryers

The Sanibel's guest units are laid out in classic condo style. Tiled floors abound except for in the bedrooms, which are covered in brown, industrial-style carpeting. Wicker and carved wood furniture, a few botanical prints, and wrought metal chandeliers all hint slightly at a colonial style. Besides this, the units are fairly plain, with some dated items like lime-green couches. Bedrooms have wood bed frames, and multiple past guests have commented on the comfort of the mattresses. All rooms have screened-in lanais with tables and chairs, microwaves, coffeemakers, fridges, and air-conditioning. Larger rooms have kitchens with dishwashers and counters that look out over living areas, ovens, toasters, cooking implements, and washer/dryers. Smaller rooms have standard plastic shower/tub combos, while two-bedroom units have tiled walk-in showers.

See More Rooms

Features

Free beach rentals, tiki bar, and outdoor pool

The hotel maintains both a tiki bar on the beach and a loan center for beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, and bikes that are included in the room price. There is a non-enclosed, heated swimming pool in the shape of an “L” that’s dipping-size, a small outdoor gear shop where hats, towels, and sunscreen are available for purchase, and a couple of tennis courts. A business center in the lobby provides computers and printers to print boarding passes. A picnic area has gas grills for public use, and there’s an on-site restaurant with a palapa-style dining area. Free Wi-Fi is available as well.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.