6460 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel Island, Florida, United States | (888) 494-8392
Waterfront, casual cottages with full kitchenettes
Working marina that gives access to gulf and bay
Restaurant and general store within walking distance
White sand beach nearby
Small outdoor dipping pool
Computer terminal for guest use at marina
Outdoor grills available
Bike, canoe, kayak, and beach chair rentals
Traffic noise may be an issue, especially in units closer to street
Rooms suffer from slight maintenance issues
No fishing tackle for rent (though available for purchase)
This rustic, mid-range property, set on a narrow strip
of land between Sanibel and Captiva islands and on an active marina, consists
of simple, standalone cottages. Some of the full kitchenettes are set directly
next to Sanibel Captiva Road, which guests have noted can generate steady, if
not terrible, traffic. The property has been in existence for decades and many families
are return visitors. Some guests have noted that while bungalows are well-kept,
there may be small issues related to wear and tear -- doors loose on hinges,
rusty areas in the shower -- and more significant ones like temperamental
air-conditioning units.
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
Rustic grounds and cabanas wedged between bodies of water
The lobby -- situated in a banana-yellow,
small A-frame building with a thatched roof -- and the marina shack both house
pleasantly cluttered spaces filled with maps of Sanibel, plastic buckets, and
hats for sale. The grounds, consisting of brightly colored clapboard bungalows
spread between the bodies of water on either side of the small land strip
connecting Sanibel to Captiva, are covered with a mix of patchy grass, concrete, and gravel. The property exudes island casual ambience.
Location
At the western end of Sanibel, a couple of miles from the Sanibel-Captiva division
The Castaways is situated on a working
marina, just off the road linking Sanibel and Captiva islands. There are cottages
on both the bay side and gulf side of the water. The Sunset Grill and Lazy
Flamingo are both within a few hundred feet of the property. Other than these
restaurants and the Santiva General Store, just a few yards from the front door
of the Castaways lobby, there is little in the immediately surrounding area. (Guests
have noted the restaurants of Captiva are closer than those of Sanibel.)
Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is almost an hour’s drive
east.
Rooms
Simple, tile-floor bungalows with lots of windows and full kitchenettes
The
standalone cabanas here feature wicker couches and tables, occasional pieces of
hand-painted, whitewashed furniture, shell-motif mirrors, and a homey, slightly
tired aesthetic. Couches may be in need of deep cleaning, and guests have
reported the occasional malfunctioning air-conditioning unit or loose-hinged
door. Generally, most of these slights are taken with the rustic charm. Bedrooms
have cheery floral bedding and laminate wood floors. All rooms include flat-screen
TVs, kitchenettes equipped with electric ranges, ovens, coffeemakers, toasters,
microwaves, and medium-size fridges. Small bathrooms come with
standard plastic shower/tub combos, sinks with limited ledge space, and hairdryers.
Larger bungalows have granite-top island counters and larger bathrooms with
more sink space and tiled showers.
Features
Computer terminal, variety of rentals, and nearby spa access
Surrounded by palms, a small
outdoor pool is suitably sized for dipping, with a disability-access unit on hand as well. The marina shack has a computer terminal along with beach
chairs, kayaks, canoes, and bikes for a daily fee as well as a self-service coffee and snacks area. The marina can accommodate boats of up to 21 feet. Some guest have noted that there's no fishing tackle for rent on the property, and the nearest place to do so is a 10-minute drive away. (Tackle is available for purchase at Castaways.) Hotel guests also have access to the spa at Tween Waters Inn, a two-mile
drive north.
