Best Things Nearby:
Sanibel is known for its beautiful beaches, shelling, and paths for bike riding.
Best Things About the Resort:
The resort is very nice- tropical, manicured grounds and well maintained. Units are clean and bright. The beach is at your doorstep.
Resort Experience:
Resort:At the tip of the island, close to the historic Sanibel lighthouse, Shell Island Beach Club overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is situated directly on the beach. It is Hilton Vacation Property managed and rated an RCI Gold Crown. The amenities include two heated pools, a whirlpool spa and sauna, a tennis court, and picnic areas with barbecue grills. There are no planned activities here, no fitness room, no children’s pool, no grocery store, no restaurant, and no playground. The check-in is easy; you just have to let them know you are arriving after 5pm. and they will leave your key and paperwork in a lockbox. We enjoyed the free local calls, bicycle use, daily local paper, and sand chair use. The 14 buildings are situated in a semi circle facing the beach with some units being gulf front while others are more facing the pool and grounds.
Units:Each two bedroom, two bath 1200 square feet unit has a king size bed in the Master bedroom, two twin beds in the second bedroom, a queen pull-out couch in the living area, cable TV and video player, a fully-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, a washer and dryer, and a screened porch with a lounge chair and a table and four chairs for eating. The unit was extremely clean and bright. Units are on the second or third floor of a building without elevators, with parking beneath. Carrying luggage and groceries is difficult.
Sanibel: Sanibel Island is beloved for its beautiful white-sand beaches, an abundance of seashells and the huge variety of wildlife. While most barrier islands have a north-south orientation, Sanibel runs east-west, which means it acts as a "scoop" to catch shells in the surf. The drawback to its location is the $3 round trip toll one has to pay for the privilege of staying on Sanibel. There aren’t many shops and restaurants on the island, resulting in what feels like a $3 tourist trap every time you drive off. The beach would have been lovely except for the Red Tide that left dead fish everywhere. The stench was as bad as the carnage. No one mentioned this when I called the day before. I suggest anyone considering the resort get a red tide update from the Mote Marine Red Tide Update website.
What to do: Sanibel Island has 26 miles of bike paths and miles of beaches for shelling. Other options include surf fishing, bird watching, sailing or nature hikes. There are no fast food or chain restaurants. Most of the restaurants we visited were very expensive and not family friendly.
Overall, I would suggest this resort and destination if you are a couple looking for a romantic, relaxing vacation on the beach when the weather is chilly where you live. If you are single or have children, it isn’t the best suited destination for you. Perhaps Marco Island or St. Pete beach would be a better choice.
- Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
- Activities: Not Available
- Amenities: Good
- Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
- Family Friendliness: Fair
- Service: Excellent