Beach views -- without bursting the budget

Hi Sanibel experts --

Question for all of you...after spending time in Marco Island on the beach in a property up high (8th floor or so), we%26#39;re considering staying in Sanibel because of its quaintness and, frankly, the idea that there is just much more to do than there is in Marco (not much of a night life there).

Here%26#39;s my question: ideally, we (wife nd 3 kids) would like a place with a great view of the beach...from up high...or does this simply not exist on Sanibel? If it doesn%26#39;t, which resort affords beach views from rooms, without bursting most people%26#39;s budgets?

Beach views -- without bursting the budget

Sanibel has no high rises; the tallest buildings allowed are 4 stories. There are a few complexes with close to beach front units- Pointe Santo, Ocean%26#39;s Reach, Sundial are the closest.

However, from your desciption of what you want, I am not sure if Sanibel is the top choice... There are some restaurants that have music at night but there isn%26#39;t much of a ';nightlife';- at least not a very active one.

You might look into Fort Myers Beach which has beachfront high rises and a more vibrant nightlife.

Sanibel is lovely for low key beaching and exploring nature along with nice shopping, biking and dining options. But that might not be what you are seeking....

Beach views -- without bursting the budget

I agree with all that MSC has to say but would ask why a great view of the beach from on high is one of your requirements. What could be better than being on the beach!?

Prices will all depend on when you intend to go (you don%26#39;t say) but you can get package rates - e.g.at the West Wind Inn or The Island Inn and others which will bring the costs down.

If you opted for FMB you could easily visit Sanibel but you would have tolls and parking costs to factor in as well.

You might fancy Naples too for it%26#39;s proximity to the Everglades.

Not trying to put you off Sanibel as it%26#39;s a beautiful place,just a suggestion.

Hey guys - I just posed a question on another thread (sanibel inn or seaside inn), can you please review that and comment? We%26#39;re currently booked at the Diamond Head on FMB because we wanted some nightlife (music, meeting other folks). But it looks busy there, and if we can get some nightlife on Sanibel we%26#39;d opt for staying there to also enjoy the beach shelling and quaintness.

Thanks!

Not much nightlife on Sanibel with the exception of the Jacaranda, Dolce Vita and Traders....(live music and dancing) - I think daytime activities totally make up for a limited variety.

Jac has a later liqour license so it is a pretty late night spot for Sanibel....good food and always an interesting crowd. Sanibel Grill is a sports bar - no dancing but lots of great characters and always fun. Traders has entertainment on Tues and Thurs - dance floor - Dolce Vita always has great entertainment and a very busy dance floor. Captiva%26#39;s Crow%26#39;s nest is late night as well.

crmoores, please let me know how things turned out as far as Sanibel vs. Fort Myers Beach. I, like you, have gone back and forth on this issue. Sanibel sounds a lot more what I am looking for during the day, but sounds like a place that might pretty much shut down by evening time. I am not necessarily just looking for bars or music, but just something to do after the sun goes down. So please make sure that you report back once you get back.

Thanks Rainstorm, sounds like there are options after dark. I%26#39;m just hoping to find a place or 2 where we can have a cocktail and if we%26#39;re lucky hear a band. This would be great during the day at a beach bar as well. We do plan to enjoy the day time activities and nightlife for us will be limited to dinner and a couple of drinks. That%26#39;s why I was considering relocation from Diamond Head to Sanibel Inn. FM Beach sounds like a place to bar hop, and that%26#39;s ok early, but we%26#39;re not interested in late night partying...

Sanibel Inn and West Wind Inn both have pool side bars/cafe - we usually just bring a cooler with beers to the beach with us. Not supposed to drink alchohol on the beach, so just keep it covered.

I am NOT a night life person while on Sanibel becuase I%26#39;m too tired from all the fun in the sun.

I have some things book marked for you to go through since this question does come up often.

Jacaranda http://www.jacarandaonsanibel.com/jacbar.html

Dolce Vita www.dolcevitaofsanibel.com/entertainment.htm

Captiva

captivaislandinn.com/diningdetail.cfm?ID=1

captivaislandinn.com/diningdetail.cfm?ID=3

Tween waters on Captiva has some evenings with listening to music....or they used to.

Danny Morgans web page for where he will be appearing

http://dannymorgan.com/dannymorgan.htm

Ft Myers night life page. There are good links to daytime beach music and dining on the water.

fortmyers-sanibel.com/cms/d/dining_nightlife…