A Guide for Driving to Sanibel Island Sanibel Island is the perfect drive-to destination for people looking for a tropical, secluded beach vacation, without having to deal with the hassle of booking airline flights. Whether you rent a car or drive your own, most folks living in the Southeast, Midwest and Mid Atlantic United States […]

This past May, the Island Inn hosted our friends Ellie and Jared Mecham. Ellie and Jared spent lots of time with their family learning all about Sanibel and all the amazing things to do while vacationing on our beautiful island. We’ve compiled their awesome footage documenting their entire stay from arrival into Matthews Cottage, to […]

There are many cottages on Sanibel Island; your choice says a lot about you and the kind of vacation traveler you are. Ask yourself: Am I happiest when I am among my friends and new acquaintances in a restaurant or night club? Or do I mostly look forward to spending hours under a palm tree – or walking on nature trails by myself? Fortunately, the Island Inn is a convenient choice for both of these approaches to leisure.

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…

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.

Island Inn offers eleven accommodation styles to choose from including spacious and flexible cottages, suites, rooms and lodges. The variety of choices ensures that, no matter your travel style or preferences, Island Inn has you covered.

Many Island Inn guests say that Sanibel Island is just what the doctor ordered. It turns out, that might be more than a figure of speech.
Holiday stress or bitter-cold weather, the negative effects of the winter season can become quite debilitating. The winter weather may already be taking its toll on your body. Here are a few ways to detect the early warning signs and suggestions for overcoming the winter blues.

Travelers today are looking for a wide range of adventures. Some even seek out opportunities to push themselves physically, either in organized events or solo “extreme travel” pursuits. Many more simply want to get a little exercise while on vacation, “blow off steam” or develop some new, healthy habits. Should your trip to the beaches of […]

Vacation time is a big deal. In our careers, time off is the most important factor we consider, next to wages and medical coverage. We anticipate and count the days to summer vacation, Christmas break, Spring break and the rest of the holidays. The entire hospitality industry, including the Island Inn Sanibel, depends on the […]

Are vacations relaxing? They’re supposed to be, but are they really?  How many times have you heard people say they are worn out from being on vacation? Although we would like to think we have a magic recipe for relaxation here at The Island Inn on Sanibel, the truth is we see plenty of vacationers […]

Since 1895, people have chosen the Island Inn as their Sanibel retreat. The historic Island Inn beachfront resort has worked hard ever since to make sure the vacation you imagined and looked forward to, turns into a sandy, sunny reality. Let us know how we’re doing!

Planning a Florida vacation can be a pretty overwhelming task. Gulf or Atlantic coast? Flying or driving? Condo or camper? For many, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are the only choice. But even then, you have a big job ahead of you; how to choose a Sanibel Island resort? Don’t let this process take all the fun out of planning your vacation!

Are you headed for the beach? A Florida vacation may be just the thing. Any beach will do, right? Well, we’d hate for the secret to get out, but a lot of people think there is no substitute for a Sanibel beach. Arthur Frommer agrees, he rated Sanibel Island as his top vacation destination … in the world!

In many ways, a place like Sanibel Island should not exist. At 33 square miles, it’s the same size as Manhattan and is nestled up to the teeming southwestern Florida coast, but those comparisons fall flat in light of its 6,100-person population. One aspect, lodging on Sanibel, highlights the stark contrast with the rest of the Gulf coast; you simply won’t find high-rise condos or super sized chain hotels here.

Make your reservation directly with Island Inn (on our website or by calling 1-800-851-5088) and save 15% on your total bill of $50 or more at our fabulous restaurant – Traditions on the Beach!

The ideal vacation differs from person to person. Some like a thrill, others like to relax. Most of us land somewhere in between that spectrum. When you vacation at Island Inn’s Gulf Front Sanibel Island Cottages you can adjust you vacation as necessary.