Newbie to the Sanibel forum!

Hi I%26#39;ve been a TA fan for about 4 years. I love this site and all the help it has given me on all my past

vacations. Hi to Arnie from the Key West forum! My

husband and I (mid to late 40%26#39;s) are trying to plan a trip to Sanibel with the in laws (very active seniors in their eary 80%26#39;s). So far I have looked at 3 places to stay. Song of the Sea,Sunset Beach Resort

and Sanibel Beach club. We really just want to get away, relax, lay around by the pool and beach. Of

course enjoy some good food. I%26#39;m looking into early

May of next year. Any advice which resort would suit us? I%26#39;m sure we will rent a car in Fort Myers and

drive to the island. How far of a drive is it? Thanks

again for all your help. I%26#39;d like to have everything

booked by Christmas as we are giving this trip to them for their 60th anniversary!!

Newbie to the Sanibel forum!

Welcome to Sanibel and congratulations on your in-law%26#39;s 60th!

Fort Myers proper and/or the airport is about a 35-40 minute drive to the island.

Sanibel Beach Club is a condo resort on the east end which is more ';townlike';. Not that familiar with it personally.

Song of the Sea is one of my favorites for adults and has a bit of a European Inn flair. Both it and Sunset Beach are motel-style accommodations. I would also consider West Wind Inn as a nice motel-ish alternative. It%26#39;s on the quieter West Gulf Drive side.

If you are going to stay for a week you might also check out some of the other condo properties that offer two bedrooms and a kitchen. We own at Pointe Santo and so that one is the best ;) But it is actually about the prettiest complex if that is important to you.

Other smaller nice complexes include Tortuga Beach, Sanibel Cottages and Sayana. Any would make you happy.

Newbie to the Sanibel forum!

Thanks Mysani for the reply. We are probably going to stay 4 or 5 nights.So not really interested in having a kitchen. I like the idea of the continental breakfast they have at the Song. Plus I believe there is a resturant next store.Is it crowded in May?

We like to travel during low season to avoid a lot of people. Is the Song an adult only resort? Please

let me know your opinion of places to eat.

We all love fresh seafood.I%26#39;m glad I%26#39;m asking a TA expert!

Congratulations on choosing Sanibel! You will not be dissappointed! May is a perfect time to visit Sanibel. The island is LESS crowded, weather will be perfect and very summer like (hot %26amp; humid). Waiting time for dinner is usually 15-20 minutes, less traffic, beaches will be uncrowded. I can only comment on Song of the Sea since I stayed there a few times in the past. Lovely property, clean, small motel/inn (more like an inn). Contiental breakfasts, bicycles, laundry on site, nice pool, hot tub, small complex, pretty, and most rooms have a kitchen which in my opinion is a must when staying about a week or more. Even though it will be off season, you may do better price wise renting a condo. Two Bedroom/2 bath may be cheaper. Look around, and ask here. (given the age, would stairs be a factor?)

I would rent a car at the airport, and the drive to the island is about 45 minutes with traffic lights.

You won%26#39;t go wrong with Song of the Sea. It%26#39;s adult oriented. I%26#39;m restraining myself from being funny here...

We%26#39;ve had good luck with seafood at Timbers. A lot of folks like the Island Cow as well. I also like the mesquite grouper at the Lazy Flamingo but it is a rather loud bar/ restaurant so I am not sure how the in-laws would like that..

If you like eclectic, a once wonderful restaurant has recently re-opened called the Twilight Cafe. Hopefully it will be as good as in the past.

Thanks for the info. I am going to go over what I%26#39;ve

found out with the hubby over the weekend. I%26#39;m pretty

sure it%26#39;s going to be the Song of the Sea. My MIL was

in a car accident a few years ago and has some pins

in her ankle. She can do stairs but not walk for long periods of time. It looks like the beach is

fairly close to the resort. I know bikes will be out for them. But that will give us a chance to go off on our own a bit. I love %26#39;em, but you know what I%26#39;m saying!Thanks also for the food tips.Do you think I

should book the trip now? Or maybe wait till after the 1st of the year? The economy is in a turmoil right now. So I fiqure maybe if I wait the fares

and rates will go down. I checked with Expedia and got quoted air, car and hotel for $790.00 per person.

That%26#39;s for 4 nights 5/9/09.Again thanks for the help!

I know Sanibel will be perfect for what we are looking for on this trip!