4227 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, Florida, United States | (888) 710-7049
Quiet residential location right on the beach and Gulf of Mexico
Free continental breakfast includes a variety of fresh fruit
Most units have full kitchens with plenty of cookware
Rooms and apartments are clean and spacious (some get sunset beach views)
Beach lounge chairs and parasols
Bicycles for guests' use
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Free on-site parking
Cute garden grounds
No pool or gym
Room decor looks a little dated
A bit far from the (minimal) action on the island
Use of light restricted at night during sea turtle hatching season
The nine-unit Blue Dolphin Cottages is an ideal mid-range choice for couples and families who want a quiet, no-fuss, beachside location with self-catering facilities. Most of the rooms and apartments here have kitchens, and all come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and private patios. The grounds are covered with tropical plants and colorful flowers, and a free breakfast of baked goods and fresh fruit is served every morning. The Blue Dolphin is not a place for partiers, as it's in a quiet part of town, and the use of artificial light is restricted during sea turtle hatching season.
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Scene
Quiet, tropical ambiance
The Blue Dolphin Cottages is one of the more remote and private resorts on Sanibel. The owner has a huge amount of tropical flowers and plants scattered around, giving the grounds a bit of a jungle ambience. The lobby is small, simple, and homelike, and there's a yellow and pink lovebird that greets guests upon arrival. The atmosphere is calm and romantic, but the self-catering units also make the Blue Dolphin a good choice for families (though kids might balk at the thought of not having a pool).
Location
In a quiet, residential area next to the beach
The Blue Dolphin Cottages is located in a quiet residential area. There are nothing but homes up and down the street with very little traffic, and visitors who want to explore the area are better off renting a car. It's a 20-minute drive to mainland Florida, a 45-minute drive to the center of Fort Meyers, and just less than an hour's to Southwest Florida International Airport. Downtown Sanibal is within a 15-minute drive. The island of Sanibel is a sea turtle preserve, and all of the beach hotels must keep the night lighting down during season to keep the hatchlings from going the wrong way.
Rooms
Spacious, clean rooms with blue and green decor, most with kitchens
The Blue Dolphin has only nine rooms and apartments, all of which are spacious and clean. They include off-white tile floors, green and blue bedding with a seashell print, and matching blue curtains and chairs. Units range from a simple room with a small bathroom and one queen-bed to a one-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and a separate bedroom and living room. All units come with sundecks, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Those with kitchens are well stocked with cookware and cutlery. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos. The rooms that look out over the beach are the most popular, as the view is spectacular -- especially at sunrise and sunset.
Features
Daily breakfast of fresh fruit and pastries, plus bicycles and beach equipment for guests 'use
Every morning, the Blue Dolphin serves a free continental breakfast of doughnuts, muffins, tea, coffee, and a wide selection of fresh fruit on the covered patio. The hotel also provides bicycles, dated beach chairs, and umbrellas to its guests. It also has a few basic outdoor barbecues for guests' use and patio tables. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Parking is both free and ample.
