We will be going down the middle of May: would love a small inn on the Gulf, and have looked at South Seas, which looks very attractive but quite large. Have a biker in the group of 2.....Many of the cottage colonies sound as if they are older??Is t his true?
WE love sunsets, the beach and good food: open to all suggestions, as one get sorta confused when looking at the sites that list lodging at both places. Thank you.
Sanibel or Capaiva South Seas
I will make the assumption that biker means the kind with an engine? If not, there are bicycle paths only on Sanibel although I am not sure about the SSR grounds.
Sanibel has more options for food than Captiva just in the numbers of establishments and I would guess that by and large the general population of visitors is younger.
When I was on Sanibel last week I heard a bit about the unfinished business going on at South Seas with its construction projects. There is also a possibility that it might be sold again according to a local who is very active in the community.
If you go back you will see quite a few posts about cottages on Captiva not at SSR that Tourmaline recommends- thiese might serve your purposes.
Sanibel or Capaiva South Seas
Cottages are all older and quite small. Nostalgic, yes. Some that are privately owned are quite lovely, but still very small square footage. Also, if looking at cottages, check to see if they will allow 2 vehicles as most allow one and only 1 car.
With a biker [assuming as MSC did you mean someone with a motorcycle] you should check with the agencies and some condo association may not allow them. If you look at cottages be sure and call and ask. If you trailer the bike, no trailers are permitted at condos and most homes. As for places like West Wind and Sunset Beach, you%26#39;d need to ask. [RV%26#39;s and trailers are specifically banned from most condo parking.] If it%26#39;s a bicycle, then you%26#39;ll need to stay on Sanibel. There are no bike paths on Captiva and a number of accidents have occurred.
As for South Seas, well it is HUGE. The quality of the condo style units can vary a fair bit as they are all privately owned. Great sunsets from anywhere on Captiva%26#39;s beaches. A better buy would be the townhome style condos at Captiva Shores, or if you%26#39;re feeling for a very upscale the at Captiva Villas - that is a group of just 4 units directly across Captiva Drive from the beach. Most are available thru Royal Shell. Captiva Shores try Royal Shell or www.captiva-island.com
If you want the main pool at South Seas and will use the trolley [and if you%26#39;re not Harborside, you%26#39;ll need it] the I%26#39;d say rent thru the resort. The most recent report is renting thru an agency you will be offered full resort access for $75/day PER ADULT. [The thud you heard was me fainting.] It will be seeing construction around the main pool area [a third pool will be going in] at near the entrance [a Golden Gate Spa will be under construction] during the off-season and there is still a fair amount to do at Land%26#39;s End. Beach Villas have the quietest location right now. Not all have been renovated.
There are more restaurants on Sanibel but a couple of the best are where Captiva and Sanibel meet at Blind Pass. Castaways Cottages are there as well. Great beach location, but I%26#39;d suggest staying bayside for quiet and walking across the street to the beach. Only a few of the units are updated. Terrific location though. Mad Hatter and Sunset Grill are both right there as is a local bar, Lazy Flamingo. Doc Ford%26#39;s is about 12 minutes away toward the main part of Sanibel and Old Captiva House and Green Flash about 10 minutes in the other direction just south of the main village area.
There are some nice small homes with pools available along the Tween Waters stretch on Captiva. Captiva Cove House, Baywatch House or Baywatch Cottage, and a number of others. Just a stroll across Captiva Drive for an all but private beach and great Sunsets. Houses usually allow more flexibly in parking. Take a look at www.royalshell.com for the properties above. There are others in that area including some seriously upscale and very large homes. There are also some modest places thru them and other agencies.
On Sanibel, condos are a great but try for West Gulf Drive for sunsets. East and Middle Gulf don%26#39;t see much on the way of sunsets as they run east southeast. By west Gulf the beach is getting south southwest.
Thank you for all of that important information. The biker is supplier of his OWN POWER, so sounds as if Sanibel with bike trails. All in all Sanibel sounds the better of the two....and we have always enjoyed cottages......if not too shacky!!!!
Some cottages are pretty upscale, though small. See Cottages to Castles and check out their cottages. They have 2 at White Caps and two privately owned one bedroom units all extremely nice. RoyalShell.com has a couple at White Caps as well.
Forty Fifteen has a good location and while the cottages are luxe they have such a loyal following they don%26#39;t advertise. I think Jake has used them. Beachview is also on West Gulf drive. Ask about updated units. Blue Dolphin have a good location as well, but other than comments on them being clean but simple I really know nothing about them.
Try http://www.ssl-leeislandcoast.com/sanibel.htm Most cottages are east end and would have a sunrise view rather than sunset.
also see www.scvrma.org for rental agencies.
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