Need Hotel Recommendations...

Hi,

We%26#39;ve been to Sanibel twice and each time we have stayed at the West Wind Inn. We really enjoyed it both times but have been thinking about staying someplace new. We weren%26#39;t real impressed with the shelling on the beach in front of the West Wind (actually each time we went shelling we usually drove to the Lighthouse area). I was wondering if someone can tell me of a different hotel that might be comparable to the West Wind but has better shelling out front. Thanks for your time!

Need Hotel Recommendations...

Shelling varies from places to place, day to day and is based on wind and gulf currents so there is no one area that is likely to be superior. That said, near the ends of the island- at Lighthouse and Blind Pass Beaches- mou do have tidal currents going into the bay so there are often more shells there... but no accommodations.

So I would base accomodations on other factors. Is it just you and a spouse? What amenities do you value? These kinds of details would yield better suggestions.

Need Hotel Recommendations...

I actually think some of the best shelling is in that area of West Gulf - but shelling changes with the wind, so maybe not for you.

I had great luck shelling on Middle Gulf drive over Thanksgiving - there is a holiday inn on Middle Gulf, and on East Gulf is Sanibel Inn and Seaside Inn. If you aren%26#39;t traveling with children, check out Song of the Sea.

Hey there! I just booked our 2nd stay at West Wind. when are you going? We went at then end of May last year and had really good shelling (maybe we thought it was good b/c it was our 1st trip). Hope you have a great trip!

When we were at West Wind Inn September 2007, their beach had the best shelling on the island!!! When we went to other areas suggested to me at the time, they were not as good. I would not base my accommodations on this factor, since it%26#39;s such a variable one. I LOVE West Wind Inn; will probably never stay anywhere else! :-)

My family and I also have stayed at West Wind Inn. We enjoyed it, but, like you, found the shelling to be less than hoped for. We weren%26#39;t as impressed by the rooms as we thought we%26#39;d be either. So, our next trip (last January), we opted for Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort. We LOVED it! The room and service was great! It wasn%26#39;t really a ';resort'; as the name leads you to believe; it was more of a very nice motel. But again, we loved it. Let me be clear, though: we didn%26#39;t do any major shelling there. We hit Blind Pass and Bowman%26#39;s beaches, as they have offered up great shells for us on every past trip. Hope that helps at least a little. Enjoy your trip...wherever you stay!

Shelling changes from day to day where you find good shells. The one thing I will say which is key is being persistant and using Tide charts. I%26#39;ve been shelling as long as I can remember and there is ALWAYS a different spot to find treasure each year.

The areas of the beach which have lower density condos etc will have more shells to find because of less people using the same area.

SOme one I know stayed at West Wind last May and is an experienced sheller and was really happy walking up and down that area.

Shelling has been slow the last 2 or 3 years....but I always manage to find some ';Real treasures'; on one day if i%26#39;m persistmant. One thing you need to wish for is a storm prior to arrival :)

My daughter says I%26#39;m the only crazy person she knows who wishes for a couple days of a tropical storm while on vacation.

Thanks for the information everyone. Sounds like it will be the West Wind for us again. Maybe the shelling will be better there this time around and if not I%26#39;m sure we%26#39;ll hit some places that are!

To the person that asked when we are going - we will be there April 30th til May 3rd.

My son and I will be counting down the days til we go!