3325 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, Florida, United States | (888) 494-8392
Near the sands of a clean, relatively quiet beach
Comfortable, no-frills bungalows with full kitchens and screened-in lanais
Tiki hut on beach serves as socializing spot for visitors
Heated outdoor swimming pool
Internet terminal in lobby for guest use
Bicycle and beach chair rentals
Pet-friendly property
No heat in cottages; winter months can be brisk
Older property with 80s-style decor may not suit all tastes
No restaurant or fitness center on-site
Dog barking from guests' pets can be bothersome
Housekeeping provided only on weekly basis
Sparse amount of kitchen utensils
Location is a big draw at Beachview
Cottages, which sits a few hundred feet from white sand in the middle of a small
island, a short drive from the stores on Tarpon Bay Road. The 40-year-old
property retains bare-foot appeal through its collection of 22 airy, standalone
bungalows with wood laminate floors, white wicker furniture, and small
kitchenettes. Most visitors have noted that rooms offer a simple stay and that
the decor here, even in refurbished rooms, is unabashedly ‘80s. A few have also
complained that the property’s pet-friendly policy results in occasional unwanted
noise.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Relaxed, casual setting popular with families and couples
The overall vibe here is island casual. The
property has existed for decades and despite its renovation, retains a slightly
low-budget, charming appeal. The ceramic-tiled lobby in a red clapboard
structure at the entrance to the main driveway is a pleasantly crowded, drop-ceiling room with an eclectic mix of wicker furniture, wall-mounted island
maps, and a mirrored case displaying sunscreen for sale. The grounds between
bungalows consist of tidy packed sand paths lined with palm trees.
Location
A few hundred feet from the beach in the middle of Sanibel
The hotel is situated along West Gulf
Drive, a small road which runs parallel to the southern coast of the island; it
sits in a small, semi-private grove of palm trees just off the street, which
itself is rarely high-traffic. Some of the bungalows have direct views of the
water, though the majority of them are set back from the beach. None are more
than a few hundred feet from the water. The Beachview is also a few
minutes’ drive to Tarpon Bay Road, which has stops like Bailey’s General Store
and Timbers Fish Market. Other destinations, like Finnimore’s Cycle Shop and the
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, are five and 10 minutes away by car,
respectively.
Rooms
Small, freestanding airy bungalow-style cottages, some with beach views
The
rooms here consist of small bungalows with ‘80s-style decor (though much of it
has been renovated) that include glass-top wicker tables, framed posters of
flamingo paintings, and fake house plants. Most of the freestanding cottages
share a wall with another structure, though guests have generally found the
rooms to offer a decent level of privacy. Most of the
rooms have separate living and sleeping areas, the former with kitchen tables and wicker couches; larger rooms have multiple couches. All
bungalows have tile floors and kitchenettes with medium fridges, electric stoves,
microwaves, toasters, and coffeemakers. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs
and screened-in lanais. Bathrooms (which are on the smaller side) have walk-in
showers in plastic stalls or, in updated rooms, pebble floor inlays. There have been a few comments about loose bathroom fixtures and couch pillows that need deep cleaning.
Features
Small outdoor pool along with bike and beach chair rentals
A
small, heated outdoor pool sits among the cottages. (Some guests have
remarked that it is dipping size only.) The Beachview also offers a limited number
of rental beach chairs and bikes, one of the best ways to get around the island. A computer and
printer are in the lobby for guest use as well.
