Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa

Set on a verdant 80-acre property, Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort has a pleasantly secluded feel, with its three high-rise buildings linked by a long road lined with greenery. The property’s layout highlights its beautiful location overlooking San Carlos Bay, with most guest room balconies, restaurant terraces, and pools facing toward its sparkling waters. While none of the resort’s decor is terribly dated, some areas are more stylish than others -- for example, the polished lobby is noticeably more sophisticated than the comparatively unremarkable guest rooms. Fun, laid-back vibes make it a good choice for travelers seeking a convenient getaway, with ample on-site dining and activities making it easy to spend most days at the resort. Solid business facilities cater to corporate travelers, while interconnecting rooms and an approachable atmosphere that isn’t too heavy on partying will appeal to families.  

Sanibel Harbour Marriott is set on the western edge of a peninsula that juts into San Carlos Bay. While the untouched natural scenery surrounding resort makes for an appealing setting, there aren’t really any attractions or dining options in the immediate area.  The resort is situated just before the causeway that leads to Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, with Sanibel a 15-minute drive away, and Captiva roughly 40 minutes by car. While the resort’s own beach isn’t among the area’s best, it’s less than a 20-minute drive to nicer stretches of sand, like Fort Myers Beach and Lighthouse Beach. It’s also a 20-minute drive to the Crown Colony Golf and Country Club, one of the most challenging golf courses in the area. Southwest Florida International Airport can be reached in 30 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort are comfortable and tidy. Patterned carpeting and plain furniture give them a generic feel, although the gold accent walls and colorful, swirling artwork add a bit of life. Beds with white linens and beige skirts are backed by massive wooden headboards, and all rooms have work desks with comfy swivel chairs. Flat-screen TVs, one-cup coffeemakers, minibars, bathrobes, safes, and free Wi-Fi come standard. All units have narrow balconies furnished with plastic chairs, and many have prime bay views, but the most basic room categories have uninspiring views of the grounds. Suites add living areas with sofa beds and dining tables, as well as mini-fridges. Good-size bathrooms have shower/tub combos and Thann bath products. They offer plenty of counter space, and come with makeup mirrors and hairdryers. 

Sanibel Harbour Marriott’s extensive lineup of features enhance its appeal for its mixed clientele of couples, families, and business travelers. The resort has three free-form pools, all of which are large and well-maintained, but middling by resort standards. Decks lined with loungers and beach umbrellas are pretty bare, aside from a few palm trees. The Palms Pool and Everglades Pool, which are found in the main resort building, both have nice views of the bay. The Palms Pool also offers poolside drink service, and there's a small whirlpool. While the Captiva Pool is smaller than the other two pools, it’s a thoughtful feature for guests staying in the Captiva Tower, a lengthy walk from the main building. The resort’s small beach is next to the Everglades Pool, separated from the bay by a low fence (making it an unsuitable swimming beach). Loungers, hammocks, and beach umbrellas are lined up along the firmly-packed sands. Sanibel Harbour Marriott’s exceptional 40,000-square-foot spa is one of the best in the area, offering a wide range of treatments and salon services -- most notably the BETAR (Bio Energetic Transduction Aided Resonance) bed, one of only 16 systems in the world, which uses sound waves to promote relaxation. The spa also has a steam room and a whirlpool, plus a fitness center featuring Life Fitness and Keiser machines that are older but in good condition. Other fitness options include bike rentals, two outdoor tennis courts, fitness classes, and a scenic jogging trail that winds through the grounds.The resort offers 30,108 square feet of meeting space, including the massive Palm Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 965 people. There are a variety of ballrooms, boardrooms, and breakout rooms, some of which have views of San Carlos Bay. A small business center features two PCs and a printer (although the latter was out of order during our visit).There’s a dated game room located off the Palms Pool deck, with coin-operated, arcade-style games. A lobby boutique sells snacks, souvenirs and sundries. The hotel provides free shuttle service to transport guests between the three resort buildings, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Parking is available for a daily fee. FoodSix dining options, including dinner and brunch cruises on the Sanibel Harbour PrincessSanibel Harbour Marriott’s main restaurant, Tarpon House, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The American menu emphasizes fresh seafood at dinner, and includes a buffet option at breakfast for an extra fee. The outdoor seating area offers pleasant views over the bay.  Other daytime dining options include Palm Court Bakery, located off the main lobby, a counter service eatery that offers pastries, snacks, and Starbucks coffee. There’s also The Cove, which serves up light lunches and other casual bites by the Palms Pool. For dinner, guests can nosh on tapas, flatbreads, and cocktails at Charley’s Bar, which has an elevated circular terrace overlooking the bay; or head to Courtside Steakhouse, a short walk away from the main building, to enjoy a classic menu of steaks, chops, and lamb.One of the resort’s more distinctive dining options is dinners and Sunday brunches (both require reservations) served on board the 100-foot-long Sanibel Harbour Princess yacht as it cruises around the bay. 24-hour room service is also available.