The Sea Spray Resort is a mid-range hotel a few minutes' walk from the beach. The 16 condo-style rooms include fully equipped kitchens with granite countertops, flat-screen TVs, patios with seating, and walk-in showers. The Starfish unit also has a small private pool and a barbecue area. Features include a swimming pool and lots of free extras, including loaner bikes, Wi-Fi, rolling beach carts with parasols and chairs, and free laundry facilities. Pets are also allowed, but weight restrictions apply.

A friendly and welcoming atmosphere permeates this vibrant hotel, which is surrounded by beautiful, well-maintained grounds peppered with lush palm trees and flowers. Accommodation options include Standard Rooms, One- and Two-Bedroom Suites, and historic Beach Houses. All come with daily housekeeping, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Some units have kitchenettes, while others have full kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Additionally, some have stackable washers/dryers, large outdoor pools, and patios with barbecue grills. Three lagoon-style pools and two hot tubs are the major highlights of this resort. A free continental breakfast with coffee, muffins, tea, fruit, and juice is served daily, and there is a barbecue area and a large tiki hut. Beach towels and chairs, Wi-Fi, and parking are all free, and coin-operated laundry facilities are available.

Originally three separate hotels, Tropical Beach Resorts is now consolidated as one property that includes 70 units total across five buildings, including modern studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, all with full kitchens, and most of which are ground-floor level. Guests have access to two outdoor pools with lounge chairs, and the grounds are laced with tropical gardens, lounge chairs on the lawn, a gazebo, picnic-style tables, and a tiki-style barbecue dining area. While not located directly on the beach, the property is within close walking distance on the same side of the street, and is less expensive than most of the nearby hotels.

The 1954-built Captiva Beach Resort is a value property that’s geared towards budget-minded travelers with children or couples, offering a quiet location that’s a short walk to the beautiful Crescent Beach via a brick pathway that cuts through tropical landscaping. Many of the facilities, such as the lovely gardens, heated outdoor pool, shuffleboards, and barbecue grills, are shared with a couple of other similar properties. Most of the 20 rooms and suites have been recently updated and feature pleasant, contemporary decor as well as amenities that include flat-screen TVs, kitchens or kitchenettes, and some have living rooms. However, guests complain about noise issues due to thin walls and a few rooms that have outdated furnishings. 

The value-oriented Beach Palms provides suites and cottages conveniently located right by the beautiful Siesta Key Beach and near many restaurants and shops. Homey interiors are sun-lit and clean, though some may find the functional Old Florida decor a bit kitschy or old-fashioned (many find it charming). The two suites and three candy-colored cottages are fully furnished, including kitchens with stoves, ovens, dishwashers, fridges, and microwaves. The cute cottages have private porches and patios with swim spas, hammocks, and grills, and are a popular choice with families. Suites also have access to a brick patio and private grills. Wi-Fi is free, but there's no pool on-site.

With colorful tropical gardens and nine eclectic cottages, Beachpoint Cottages encourages low-key, no-frills fun and relaxation. The rooms are one- or two-bedroom bungalows; each is uniquely designed by the owners; some are stand-alone buildings, while other share walls. Every cottage has a full kitchen (with an oven, four-burner stove, refrigerator, and all the requisite dishware and utensils), a lounge/living room area, and separate bedrooms. The appliances aren't new -- some of the ovens, in particular, are showing their wear and could use a deep clean -- but everything is functional and in good working condition. Communal spaces consist of a grill patio, fire pit, and tiki hut for outdoor lounging and dining. The hotel offers affordable bike and kayak rentals, and there are (slightly tired-looking) chairs, umbrellas, and sand toys by the beach entrance for guests to borrow. The Beachpoint does offer free Wi-Fi, and there are laundry facilities on-site. The beach -- rated one of the best in Florida -- is just a few steps away.