Pros

  • Comfortable, clean, and updated rooms with fridges and other features
  • Some rooms directly overlook the beach
  • Medium-sized heated outdoor pool and small “Splash” kiddie pool
  • Poolside tiki bar serves tropical cocktails and lunch
  • Bike rentals available
  • On-site tennis and shuffleboard courts
  • Business center with computer and printer
  • Well-reviewed restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
See More Pros

Cons

  • No elevators
  • Some feel rooms feel too small
  • Not all rooms have beach views
  • Occasional complaints about thin walls between units
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Set along West Gulf Drive in an area that combines residences and hotels in vegetation-ensconced grounds, upper-mid-range West Wind Inn combines the ‘70s charm of an old Sanibel property with renovated rooms featuring vaguely colonial decor. The inn is a comfortable, unassuming property with direct access to a private beach as well as a heated outdoor pool, an adjacent tiki bar, tennis and shuffleboard courts, and bike rentals. There are no elevators, so mobile-impaired guests may want a first-floor room. The generally few complaints made about the venue have centered around the small size of the rooms.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

West Wind Inn

Scene

'70s-era buildings in a motel-like setting with pleasant grounds

A carport drive-up lobby, stone siding, and red tile roofing on long, two-story buildings keep the ‘70s roots of this property alive. There’s a simple, motel-like feel to the grounds, which are quirkily landscaped with white decorative archways and painted cement statuettes. Some parts of the property feel dated in a less attractive way: The business center has fluorescent-lit drop panel ceilings and bad ‘80s carpeting. Nonetheless, the yellow-and-white striped lobby is inviting and bright with eclectic accents that manage to work well together. A series of photos off of the reception desk features luminaries who have visited the inn. 

See More Scene

Location

In the middle of the Sanibel coastline, in an area combining hotels and residences

The hotel is situated along West Gulf Drive, which parallels the southern coast of the island. The property is set back from the road among palms and other vegetation. There’s no commerce in the immediate area, and the inn stretches all the way to the sand, with some rooms directly overlooking the beach. Shops and restaurants are about a five-minute drive away and includes venues like Bailey’s General Store, The Island Cow, and The Blue Giraffe as well as chain retailer CVS. Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is under three miles northeast, while Southwest Florida International Airport -- accessed by Causeway Boulevard -- is about 45 minutes east by car. Still, keep in mind that with traffic getting off Sanibel can take longer since the hotel is oriented toward the island’s western end.

See More Location

Rooms

Small but updated units with colonial style decor, some directly overlooking the beach

While the property has a distinctively ‘70s feel, the rooms have been updated and feature granite countertops, chrome cabinet pulls, screened-in lanais, and modern fridges and microwaves. Yet the decor still tends toward colonial-style accents with striped couches, heavy wood furniture, and botanical prints. Guests have commented on the small size of rooms, bathrooms, and even beds, though most feel the units are comfortable and clean. Bathrooms, offering ceramic faucets and shower/tub combos with sliding glass doors, may feel particularly tiny with little space for more than one person. Smaller rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves, whereas larger rooms have full kitchens with electric stoves, full-sized appliances, and cooking and serving implements.

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor heated pool, bike rentals, poolside bar, and well-reviewed restaurant

West Wind Inn has a heated outdoor pool flanked by a small kiddie pool while sports lovers can avail themselves of the tennis and shuffleboard courts. Other amenities include bike rentals, Free Wi-Fi, and a small business center with a couple of computers and printers. The on-site restaurant Normandie Seaside Pub -- open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- generally receives positive reviews, though it’s considered by many to be expensive. Poolside bar The Upper Deck specializes in tropical cocktails as well as a full lunch menu and vittles like pizza and ice cream. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

West Wind Inn

Scene

'70s-era buildings in a motel-like setting with pleasant grounds

A carport drive-up lobby, stone siding, and red tile roofing on long, two-story buildings keep the ‘70s roots of this property alive. There’s a simple, motel-like feel to the grounds, which are quirkily landscaped with white decorative archways and painted cement statuettes. Some parts of the property feel dated in a less attractive way: The business center has fluorescent-lit drop panel ceilings and bad ‘80s carpeting. Nonetheless, the yellow-and-white striped lobby is inviting and bright with eclectic accents that manage to work well together. A series of photos off of the reception desk features luminaries who have visited the inn. 

See More Scene

Location

In the middle of the Sanibel coastline, in an area combining hotels and residences

The hotel is situated along West Gulf Drive, which parallels the southern coast of the island. The property is set back from the road among palms and other vegetation. There’s no commerce in the immediate area, and the inn stretches all the way to the sand, with some rooms directly overlooking the beach. Shops and restaurants are about a five-minute drive away and includes venues like Bailey’s General Store, The Island Cow, and The Blue Giraffe as well as chain retailer CVS. Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is under three miles northeast, while Southwest Florida International Airport -- accessed by Causeway Boulevard -- is about 45 minutes east by car. Still, keep in mind that with traffic getting off Sanibel can take longer since the hotel is oriented toward the island’s western end.

See More Location

Rooms

Small but updated units with colonial style decor, some directly overlooking the beach

While the property has a distinctively ‘70s feel, the rooms have been updated and feature granite countertops, chrome cabinet pulls, screened-in lanais, and modern fridges and microwaves. Yet the decor still tends toward colonial-style accents with striped couches, heavy wood furniture, and botanical prints. Guests have commented on the small size of rooms, bathrooms, and even beds, though most feel the units are comfortable and clean. Bathrooms, offering ceramic faucets and shower/tub combos with sliding glass doors, may feel particularly tiny with little space for more than one person. Smaller rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves, whereas larger rooms have full kitchens with electric stoves, full-sized appliances, and cooking and serving implements.

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor heated pool, bike rentals, poolside bar, and well-reviewed restaurant

West Wind Inn has a heated outdoor pool flanked by a small kiddie pool while sports lovers can avail themselves of the tennis and shuffleboard courts. Other amenities include bike rentals, Free Wi-Fi, and a small business center with a couple of computers and printers. The on-site restaurant Normandie Seaside Pub -- open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- generally receives positive reviews, though it’s considered by many to be expensive. Poolside bar The Upper Deck specializes in tropical cocktails as well as a full lunch menu and vittles like pizza and ice cream. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • 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.