Fort Myers / FM Beach?

[Hilary]

I think the answer is probably blindingly obvious (the clue's in the question, etc., etc.) , but is Fort Myers Beach a completely beachy area?

We're looking for somewhere to stay in the FM area next year, but don't want to be on the beach with nothing else to do but the sea/sand thing (doesn't suit our family!). We love marinas, harbours and estuaries, but not beaches.

Fort Myers has the shopping / places to visit, but not nearly as much in the way of accommodation as FM Beach (looking for a condo / apartment resort preferably) .

Any suggestions out there?

 

[poet123]

We drove through FM beach and were not impressed seemed quite tacky and run down unless we hit a bad area!!!!!!

 

[Hilary]

Thanks, Poet

Has anyone else been to either FM or FM Beach?

 

[keith&carol]

Hi Hilary,
We've been to Fort Myers Beach loads of times and finally bought a Time-share there although we won't be able to use it this year because of Hurricane Damage.
The beach area is a very narrow strip of land so you have the Gulf on one side looking over to Sanibel, and the Backwater on the other side. There is a Marina with some good fish restaurants and boat trips for sightseeing, fishing, shelling and even a casino Boat which goes out twice a day.
There is a good selection of shops, restaurants etc on the beach or we sometimes like to go over to US41 to do some shopping and you have lots of chain restaurants like Outback there and a Walmart, Target etc.
You are well located for a visit to Sanibel & Captiva and there are some good Parks.
There isn't a lot of accommodation on the Beach as most of it is privately owned but Diamondhead Resort (Virgin brochure) has a good reputation and so does Pink Shell Resort.
If you need more info let me know,
Regards,
Carol

 

[Hilary]

Thanks, K&C

Both the resorts you mention look promising, and are now on the (getting longer by the minute ) shortlist!

Do you know anything about the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa? It also looks good for us.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hilary - I'll say no more than we're off there for two weeks next summer!

OK, I will say more (when have you known me to keep quiet ).

We are using our friend's apartment in a beautiful residential area of Ft Myers, slightly further north than the "tacky" area Poet refers to. I guess she means the more touristy bit - very similar to St Petes/Clearwater. "Ft Myer's" itself is quite large, but the "beach" areas much smaller.

Ft Myers is a brilliant place, we've visited there each time we've been to Marco/Naples over the last few years and love it. Like Carol says, it's just down the road from Sanibel and Captiva, easy to get in and out of (ok, once you've mastered their sort of one-way system as I call it).

We'd have no hesitation in recommending for you all.

Also know someone who's stayed 4 nights at the Sanibel Harbor - mmmm hmmm, very nice indeed was the answer. They have their own launches to take you around the area.

Carol - sorry to hear about the damage, our friend's were lucky with their apartment, not too much damage mostly superficial. Hope you get it all sorted with out too many problems.

 

[poet123]

Hope I havent offended anyone!!! as I said we didnt really explore and it was probably not a representative part of FM beach.
The sanibel area is lovely but in my experience for sheer tropical peace and quiet Captiva would be hard to beat. South Seas plantation has good reports. We stayed in a villa which for summer weeks (off season to them) are surprisingly reasonably priced. I can reccommend a rental firm with second to none customer service pm me if required.
We have just booked a villa on Marco for next july. Hilary map on the way!!!!!!!!! sorry!!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Originally posted by poet123
We have just booked a villa on Marco for next july.

Poet - we love Marco, we've stayed on Marco for the last two years. Although it is quiet compared to some other gulf coast resorts, there is still plenty to do around the area. Do you know whereabouts your villa will be? Most of the rental villas are away from the beach (but the beach is VERY easily accessible), some have inland waterway plots, but I tell you, most of the houses and villas around Marco are just lush!

Have you been there before? If there's any info I can help with - please, holler Annie

 

[poet123]

Annie,
The villa is on Cottage Court which on the map is 1 block back from Tigertail beach with bay views right on the water, it looks great. We have never been to Marco but want somewhere relaxing for our 2nd week (after Orlando). Captiva was lovely but I like to try different places so we decided on Marco.
Any info on shops, restaurants on Marco or in Naples would be welcome.