863 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, Florida, United States | (251) 219-4428
All rooms have equipped kitchenettes and small screened-in lanais
Free continental breakfast
Heated outdoor pool with adjacent hot tub
Shuffleboard and picnic area with grill
On-site laundry
Free loaner bikes and beach accessories
Free bottle of wine upon arrival
Free Wi-Fi
Guests can access tiki bar at sister inn
No restaurant on-site
Facilities showing wear in certain areas
The simple grounds here, dotted with pastel
pink, two-story stucco buildings, are straight out of the ‘80s. The 30 mid-range guest
units with their linoleum countertops are no less so, though there’s still a
charming, understated elegance to the rooms. Song of the Sea has direct access
to the beach, where staff make kayak and paddle boards available free of
charge. Continental breakfast is included in the room price, though there isn't a restaurant on-site. Sanibel Inn, maintained by the same property management and directly next door, has a tiki bar that’s open to all guests.
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Scene
Casual atmosphere and grounds with slightly eclectic aesthetics
Terracotta tiles line an understated,
somewhat residential-style lobby set with wicker armchairs and a ceiling fan. An
adjacent outdoor brick patio is furnished with tables, chairs, and umbrellas
and a small stone pool is surrounded by plants. The manicured landscaping has an
old Sanibel charm enhanced by the pastel-pink of the administrative building
and two-story structures that house the rooms. The grounds are sprinkled with
places to sit, including a number of slatted beach chairs set under individual
thatched palapas.
Location
Near the eastern end of Sanibel, along a strip of beach with other hotel properties
Like many of the other hotels on the
island, Song of the Sea is situated along Gulf Drive towards the eastern
end of the island, a bit more than a mile south of the causeway bridge. It’s about a
15-minute walk to the restaurants and cafes on Periwinkle Way, including Lazy
Flamingo and Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen, while Sanibel Lighthouse is a 35- or 45-minute walk northeast
by foot, or a few minutes by car. Sanibel Inn, directly next to Song of the Sea
and a two-minute walk away, welcomes guests from both properties at its
poolside tiki bar. Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers
is a 40-minute drive northeast across the causeway.
Rooms
Multiple room types, all with terracotta tile floors and kitchenettes.
A quaint, eclectic charm characterizes these simple rooms. Each guest unit has some form of a kitchenette which includes a small ‘50s-style stove with coil heaters, microwave, fridge, toaster, and coffeemaker. Most of the rooms however, do not have separate sleeping and food preparation spaces. Decor has a slightly colonial aesthetic, with plantation shutters on floor-to-ceiling windows, imitation teak wood and bamboo furniture, and textiles in greens and khakis with slightly dated elements like white linoleum countertops. A few rooms also have separate bedrooms. All units include free bottles of wine, LCD flat-screen TVs, screened-in lanais with seating, and bathrooms with shower/tub combos.
Features
Daily free breakfast, beach accessories to borrow, and heated outdoor pool
Amenities at Song of the Sea are on the
limited side compared to more luxurious properties, but management does provide
an array of thoughtful perks. All guests receive a free bottle of wine upon
arrival and the free continental breakfast is served on a terrace. A small
souvenir shop sells hats, sunscreen, and a modest selection of outerwear. Also
on hand are a coin-operated laundry shack, shuffleboard courts, a small picnic area with
a gas grill, and a heated, enclosed outdoor pool with an adjacent hot tub. The
hotel maintains a section of private beach with paddle boards, kayaks, chairs, and umbrellas available to borrow for free. Loaner bikes are also included in
the room price. Free Wi-Fi is available as well.
