Lovers Key Resort

Most guests arriving at Lovers Key Resort take an elevator up to the lobby, which straddles the line between vintage-tropical and dated, with its palm frond ceiling fans and potted plants. Others, however, must check in at Flamingo Inn in Fort Myers Beach, a five-minute drive north. The inn owns some of the units at Lovers Key Resort, and this mixed ownership model means that units are not held to a consistent standard. Many are well-kept, while others could do with a refresh. Resort-managed units appear to be the best maintained, so guests considering this property would do well to book directly through the resort. While Lovers Key Resort may not be a conventional property, it does have a convenient roster of on-site features, including a pool, restaurant, and fitness center. Set just over the bridge from buzzing Fort Myers Beach, the resort is best suited to guests looking for a quieter spot with a little more space. The low-key vibe and large units with sofa beds appeal to couples and small families happy to admire the scenic bay views or explore the nearby state park. Extended stay rates are available, so it’s nice for those on longer vacations.

Lovers Key Resort is located on a peninsula, just south over the bridge from Estero Island. As its name implies, it's less than a five-minute drive from the main entrance to Lovers Key State Park. Covering four barrier islands and several islets, this 1,616-acre park is known for its excellent bird-watching and 2.5-mile-long white-sand beach. Aside from the park, there’s not much of interest near the hotel. The local beach trolley stops in front of the resort on Estero Boulevard, providing transportation to the shops and restaurants of the Fort Myers Beach area. Guests without a car should keep in mind that this trolley stops running in the early evening. It’s a 15-minute drive to Fort Myers Beach’s “Times Square” and a 40-minute drive to Southwest Florida International Airport.

Units at Lovers Key Resort are individually owned and managed by several different companies, so decor varies significantly from room to room. Most units are cheerful and homey, featuring a mix of medium wood and wicker furniture along with beachy pastel color schemes. Others, however, are quite drab, decorated with dated, mismatched fabrics and furniture. All units have large living areas with queen sleeper sofas and flat-screen TVs. Separate bedrooms with king beds include second flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Sliding glass doors offer balcony access from both the bedroom and living room. Balconies are furnished with vinyl or wicker patio furniture and many have great views over Estero Bay. Resort Suites, which are the entry level room category, have compact galley kitchens with full-size fridges, dishwashers, and ovens, while Luxury Suite kitchens add extra space. Kitchen appliances tend to be a bit dated but functional. Bathrooms, too, usually have an older feel, but they're well-maintained. Resort Suites include a shower/tub combos with spa tubs, while Luxury Suites add separate glass-doored showers. Many come stocked with Tarocco bath products, but some have off-brand toiletries. 

Guests tend to gather around the property’s lagoon-style outdoor pool, which offers lovely views over the bay. There's a cascading waterfall feature and a small whirlpool tucked in a sheltered corner of the deck. It’s not uncommon for guests lounging around the pool to spot dolphins and manatees off the coast. Set adjacent to the pool, Flippers on the Bay restaurant is a breezy space with wood-paneled flooring and picturesque views of the bay. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a casual American menu with a focus on seafood. It generally receives positive reviews from diners. Guests sometimes have access to a small tidal beach, which can be up to 10 feet wide but is often inaccessible when the tide comes in. The resort’s good-size fitness center features up-to-date weight machines, exercise balls, and free weights. Cardio machines are lined up along the windows, offering views of the pool and coast. A lounge area off the lobby functions as the business center, equipped with a PC and a printer for guest use. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s free self-parking on-site.