Sanibel/Captiva/Marco Island's

[Jorgan]

My family is thinking of going on vacation to either Sanibel, Captiva or Marco Island in January/February. We have two children (ages 5 and 4) and are looking for somewhere nice but family friendly to stay. We haven't gone on a family vacation in two years so we're willing to spend some $ on a pretty nice place! Does anyone have any recommendations? Is one island better than the others?

Thanks!

[Grace]

Love, love, love Sanibel!! We go there a lot. We honeymooned there too. I like it better than Captiva just because it's a little "busier" - more to do. But it's still very quiet as compared to Ft. Myers Beach. You can always go up to Captiva to eat and look around and shop - it's only a few minutes drive.

As for a good place to stay, we like the Sundial resorts. Here is a link to the main hotel, but if you scroll to the bottom, you will get links to the other four properties they have (which are smaller and more quaint).

http://www.sundialresort.com/?src=ppc_google_brand_guarantee


We always stay at the Song of the Sea which is owned by the Sundial - it's a more European resort that doesn't allow kids. But we have charging priveleges at all the Sundial resorts and go over to the big Sundial nearly every day. That one is much bigger and very, very kid friendly. That's the one I would recommend. I love their pool/beach bar called Crocodial's. They have great food there and of course drinks too. We sit there at least part of the day every day while in Sanibel. You can also go to the Ding Darling nature reserve - there's hiking, kayaking and all kinds of other fun activities. You can also check out bicycles at the Sundial and go biking around the island.

If you're interested in a fantastic "adult" dinner (I don't think I'd bring the kids to this place), you must go to The Mad Hatter. I got the recommendation years ago from someone else on this board and it is now our favorite restaurant anywhere. We never miss having dinner there at least once on our trip. It's a small converted house right on the ocean and the Chef/owner is Swiss (I think?) and he comes up with the most delicious, creative food. We're not big wine drinkers, but they have a great wine list too if you like that. I'm getting jealous just thinking about it.

Anyway, I could go on about Sanibel, but I think you get the idea - it totally gets my vote!

Oh, and on Captiva you can walk the beaches and usually see dolphins, and there are some restaurants up there that are sort of "must dos" but only because they are popular and touristy. The main one is The Bubble Room. I think the kids would really like it. Huge desserts (that you can take with you) and a fun atmosphere. To me, the food was only ok, but every person on the planet who hears you were in Sanibel/Captiva will ask you if you went to the Bubble room. You will wonder what you missed if you don't go! :)

Oh and a couple more restaurant recommendations. We love the Jacaranda for dinner - great crab cakes, seafood and steaks. And for breakfast and/or lunch you MUST try the Island Cow!! Huge menu, and your kids will love it!! And the food is good, too. Waaaahhhh..... I want to go to Sanibel!

[MISSINDI]

Seconding the Sanibel vote. I have never been, but a client goes all the time, and, in fact, sold her restaurant to open up a new one down there because they loved it so much (unfortunately they just moved back - was too far from family).

[cookieee]

We haven't been in years, but DH and I love to go there with our boat and fish. Can't believe no one has mentioned fishing. One of the best fun things to do in Florida.

[Celadon]

We go to Captiva every January/February with my husband's family. It's the best vacation we take each year. We had previously gone to Sanibel, which is very very nice. Lots to do and very family friendly. We were tired of staying in condos, however, and wanted to rent a house for the family to stay together, so we started going to Captiva. For us it works out wonderfully. Sanibel has most of the restaurants, shopping, and activities, so we do drive down to Sanibel for those (which is only a 10 minute drive). Captiva is more residential (lots of house rentals outside of South Seas resort) and more sparsely populated. In fact, many of the houses do not rent out, so when we are there, the houses next to us are often empty. We love that -- having access to the beach without any people around. It almost feels like a private beach, at least when we are there in January/February. For us, the combination of the house rental and the privacy make it ideal.

If you want recs for restaurants, etc, let me know. You really can't go wrong with either Sanibel or Captiva.

[Jorgan]

Thanks so much for all of your thoughts. It sounds like we just can't go wrong with Sanibel. I looked at the Sundial and it looks really nice and has a 'kids club' to boot (use that for the Mad Hatter dinner). I want to book soon so I have something to look forward to. Here in Minnesota it's about 18 degrees, ick!

Thanks again!

[Debralynn]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but does Anna Maria Island get any votes? Pros or cons???? ty Debbie