Seaside Inn or Sanibel Inn?

We%26#39;re spending only 4 nights for our 1st visit to Sanibel in January so the weekly options don%26#39;t apply and these are both rated well and in a decent price range. We%26#39;ll be hoping to enjoy the beach and pool (if heated), shop and see the island by bike, enjoy bands in the evening, and take a day sail.

Any preference between the two hotels? The Sanibel is a bit pricier, not sure if it%26#39;s a little nicer or the location is better?

Thanks!

Seaside Inn or Sanibel Inn?

Both Inns are near each other - also with their sister property, Song of the Sea. All areas of Sanibel are nice, imo - just a matter of taste. Some people like the west gulf area, whereas others prefer the east gulf. There is a higher concentration of condos/inns on the East side, so obviously, more people. Not saying that as a negative whatsoever.

I think both properties are comparable - I think I might lean toward the Sanibel Inn as there is a Jazz bar and restaurant on site - Ellingtons and also a poolside cafe - as you stated you like to enjoy bands in the evening.

All three properties are walking distance to each other, so you could easily walk to Ellingtons, if you decided not to stay at Sanibel Inn.

Was Sanibel Inn pricier for you? I just priced those two out for myself, and found Seaside inn more expensive.

Seaside Inn or Sanibel Inn?

Thanks for the feedback Sunny. We were looking at Captiva as well but Tween Waters and South Seas don%26#39;t look like they fit.

I%26#39;m pricing through the Sanibel/Seaside/Song website (through tripadvisor), their ';luxuriate longer'; or 3-night minimum prices are comparable for the garden room (~$170), but Sanibel is $249 vs Seaside%26#39;s $189 for the ocean front. There may be better pricing I%26#39;m not seeing?

But I do see they are close on the map as you say. We%26#39;re not into jazz but would prefer to be in the area that is ';busier'; to take advantage of walking to bars or shops. We%26#39;ll surely go to Ellington%26#39;s but we%26#39;re hoping to have a chance to see other ';islandy'; bands and Danny Morgan and others recommended here.

Do you have any recommendations on a day-sail? I%26#39;m seeing sunset cruises and a sail to Cabbage and another island. We would like to do a sail while there if posibke. I%26#39;m still looking at Cabbage and what is there...

Thanks again for your help!

Let me preface by saying I am extremely tired (up all night with children who were looking for Santa). I think Ellington%26#39;s is the only bar within walking distance. It is very dark on Sanibel - there aren%26#39;t street lights out of respect to the wildlife. I am assuming you saw the thread on nightlife on the sanibel/FM beach thread?

I did see the luxuriate longer deals - maybe they change, when I looked, for my dates - Sanibel Inn was less. Why doesn%26#39;t Tween Waters work? They had good deals when I looked - and is within walking distance to the live music/nightlife on Capiva. Is this for two adults?

Hi SV, sorry about the delay in responding! We really appreciate your insight and help -

I looked closely at Tween Waters, the reviews sound good but it sounds like there%26#39;s slightly more activity in Sanibel - is that accurate? South Seas has been renovated but that doesn%26#39;t sound right for us either.

I%26#39;ve read that Danny Morgan plays at Traders Bay on Tues and CasaYbel on Sun, and others have said they have bands they like that play in Sanibel. I hope I heard right...?

I know we%26#39;ll be going to Captiva for a day sail, and to Fort Myers Beach to check out the nightlife there. So Sanibel seems to be the best spot to base ourselves.

We%26#39;re actually still booked at the Diamond Head hotel on FMB but we%26#39;re convinced that we should be staying on Sanibel and I%26#39;m changing hotels tomorrow. Watching the Diamond Head web cam it looks very busy there. We like music and meeting other couples, but it looks busy there.

Hopefully we%26#39;re making the right move and we will be able to enjoy some nightlife/music and meet other folks on Sanibel.

At tween waters is Crows nest - not sure if there is live music, but it is well liked for night life.

There is also live music at Key Lime Bistro or RC Otters on Captiva.

Sanibel is pretty quiet compared to Ft Myers Beach, you aren%26#39;t going to find all the bars lined up, that you can walk back and forth. But there are places to go in the evenings - Rainstorm just listed them on your other post.