Blog
A Day in the Life of an Island Inn Guest
I am really looking forward to our first day at Island Inn on Sanibel Island. We arrived last evening just after dark and were tired from our long drive. Boy is it quiet here; don’t know why I woke up. It’s still dark outside and my wife is still asleep. I guess I’m just used to getting up early.
We left the windows open while we slept. I’m glad we did that because I love breathing that beautiful salt air! I can just barely hear the waves sloshing on the shore. It sure is a relaxing sound – maybe I’ll just lay back and listen for a few minutes while I decide what to do next…
The Island Inn highlights Mangroves and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
The Island Inn highlights Mangroves and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation FoundationAs the Islands' oldest hotel, the Island Inn shares a common goal with local environmental organizations of preserving the well-being of our estuaries, the health of our local ecology,...
Island Inn’s 2012 Summer Newsletter
Women in History at the Island Inn
Women in History at the Island InnISLAND INN HONORS WOMEN PIONEERS DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Women’s History Month is a great time to offer thanks to the many island women who embraced this almost forgotten little barrier island and battled through hardships and...
Witness The Fascinating Journey of the Sea Turtle
Witness The Fascinating Journey of the Sea TurtleSea turtles are among the world’s oldest living creatures, having inhabited Earth’s oceans for more than 65 million years. These gentle, long-lived reptiles have fascinated people around the world. Sanibel...
Wall Street Journal: Florida’s Best Beaches
Wall Street Journal: Florida’s Best Beaches The Island Inn, Sanibel's #1 hotel & inn, was named in the Wall Street Journal for Florida's BEST beaches! We are incredibly proud of this recognition and definitely agree that our 550ft of pristine beachfront checks all...
Things To Do During Your Island Inn Sanibel Vacation!
Things To Do During Your Island Inn Sanibel Vacation!Whether you are planning a weekend getaway with friends or a long vacation with family, Sanibel Island is guaranteed to meet all your expectations and more! Between the abundance of wildlife on the island to its...
The Island Inn Brings Home the Championship!
The Island Inn Brings Home the Championship!The Island Inn softball team brought home the 2015 Fall Co-Ed Championship! The City of Sanibel’s Co-Ed Softball League consists of several teams from various businesses on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. The tournament...
Thank You Veterans!
Island Inn would like to say thank you to all those who have served and those who serve today.
Tarpon Bay Explorers Touch Tanks
Visit the Tarpon Bay Explorers Touch Tanks and aquarium displays…..
Trip Advisor Recognizes Island Inn for Excellent Lodging
Whether you and your family have been coming to Sanibel for years, or if you are just looking for ideas or lodging options, it pays to do your homework. Looking at a map of Southwest Florida, seeing tiny Sanibel curled up just offshore of Fort Myers, you wouldn’t know there are hundreds of lodging choices on the island.
Sanibel Shell Planter Tutorial for National Craft Month
Sanibel Shell Planter Tutorial for National Craft Month Wondering what to do with all of those fabulous shells you just found while on vacation at Island Inn? We've got an idea for you! This is a great activity for children, as well as adults, and will keep those...
Sanibel Sea School
The Sanibel Sea School is a great hands on way to learn about Sanibel Island’s marine ecosystem.
Sanibel & Captiva Beaches Serve as Nursery for Florida’s Sea Turtles
Sanibel & Captiva Beaches Serve as Nursery for Florida’s Sea TurtlesIt’s Sea Turtle season on Sanibel Island; and for all of us at the Island Inn, this brings to mind another example of how we choose to balance our responsibility to the island’s ecosystem with our...
Sand Dollars
Sand dollars can be found on most all the beaches of Sanibel Island. They are loved by shell collectors for their intricate designs, symmetrical shape and beautiful colors.
Passing of Sanibel Icon Mr. Sam Bailey
“Sanibel was forever changed by Sam Bailey’s life and Sanibel will never be the same with Sam Bailey’s passing.”
Sanibel Family Vacation Tradition: A Historic Guest Story at the Island Inn
Travel back in time with us with this story of a Sanibel Family Vacation Tradition from the 1950’s.
Sanibel Rejects Overdevelopment – Stands Out Among Florida Resort Destinations
Sanibel Rejects Overdevelopment – Stands Out Among Florida Resort DestinationsHow do you know when something is worth saving? Maybe it’s when you can’t duplicate it yourself – or like Sanibel and Captiva islands - a place becomes worthy of preservation when few places...
Sanibel Luxury Suites – Introducing the New Matthew Lodge
Sanibel Luxury Suites – Introducing the New Matthew LodgeThe historic Island Inn, the island's oldest hotel (Est. 1895), is excited to announce the Matthews Lodge Luxury Suites on Sanibel. The Inn's latest investment is in the replacement of the Matthews Lodge, a 12...
Sanibel Conservation Walking Tours
As a Sanibel beachfront resort, the Island Inn obviously cares a lot about the state of our beach. We want it to be clean, and it is, but that doesn’t mean it should be tidy! We’re a traditional place – we’ve been providing Sanibel Island vacation lodging on this property since 1895 – but one tradition we don’t practice is raking up the bits of seaweed and sea grasses that come ashore with the waves. Those organic materials are an important part of the island’s ecosystem, supporting birds, plants and other wildlife our guests expect and deserve to experience.
Best Hotel Sanibel Has to Offer! Island Inn Wins 2022 Award for ‘Best Of’…
Best Hotel Sanibel Has to Offer! Island Inn Wins 2022 Award for ‘Best Of’…NOTICE: Some information on these pages are pre-Hurricane Ian and may not be fully up-to-date. Wondering what the best hotel Sanibel has to offer is? The Island Inn was recently awarded the 2022...
Sanibel Beach Read Recommendations
Sanibel Beach Read RecommendationsWhen traveling to Sanibel for a vacation you’re probably thinking you’ll relax, soak up some sun, take walks on the beach and get swept away into the newest bestsellers you don’t normally have time to read! Local Sanibel...
Sanibel and Captiva Island Resorts Serve up Island Culture
Many of our Island Inn resort guests say that staying on Sanibel or Captiva Island has ruined all of the other beach spots for them. At Island Inn, we’re happy that’s true.
Learn About Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island enthusiasts welcome the City of Sanibel’s release of the first video in a series of four about the history of Sanibel Island. Please click here to view “Sanctuary Islands: The Sanibel Legacy”
Kayaks and Paddleboards Now Available!
The Island Inn now has kayaks and paddleboards available to rent, directly on the beach! Paddle along the coast and enjoy the warm water and the beautiful view from the other side of the beach. Visit the front desk for rentals and more information.
Visitor Reviews
Five star stay Definitely a five star stay. Beautiful beach view from balcony. Very clean. Perfect beach location. 
