Says Permanently closed on their site . It's a shame as I had read great things! I just saw that they are closed in August 2025

So amazing!! The view is incredible from the balcony. I can't wait to go back. I was in heaven read more

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I can't say that the Waterside Inn was a BAD stay, but I won't bother to stay here again. One huge plus is that the hotel is right on the beach. You can leave your little cabin and walk directly onto sand and open beach. Each cabin has its own dedicated parking spot. I'm not sure what you do if you have multiple cars staying with your room. You get one beach towel per person, complimentary with your stay. I booked my hotel room through Expedia. The room description said that it allowed pets, but it was just my boyfriend and me staying. When we pulled up to the front office, a sign said that the property manager was out helping another guest. We waiting around the parking lot for about 15 min when a woman came back. She checked us into our room and gave us useful materials for getting around Sanibel (a weather print out, map, and coupon book). Our cabin has a duplex set-up; there are two separate rooms to our cabin. There is a sofa, tv, kitchenette, queen bed and bathroom. The floor was spotted with dirt and it distinctly smelled of dog. The bed is not that comfortable, but it was clean. The a/c was a window unit, which we didn't need much since we stayed in winter. It sufficiently warmed our thin Floridian blood during the night though. The refrigerator absolutely STINKED. It looks clean when you open it, but there was an odor from hell embedded inside. We put some leftover food inside, but even after a quick open/shut, our entire room smelled like rotting garbage. We did not eat our leftovers after leaving it overnight in the fridge. The bathroom was clean and they provide enough towels. The beach is a quick minute walk. There are two shuffleboard courts, which you can borrow the tang and biscuits from the front office. You can bring the hotel chairs to the beach as well, but you have to carry and return them yourself. For the price we got our room during peak visitor season, Waterside Inn was a deal. However, I probably would not return to this hotel the next time I stay in Sanibel. read more

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This is a beautiful, peaceful place. It's right on the beach and there are lots of shells and sea turtle nesting areas so watch for the turtles. Rooms were clean and pool was clean and nice. Now when you make a reservation if you want a certain room or close to the beach, putting it in the notes section of reservation gets ignored and your told you must call to request it even if those rooms are left empty. Next, they have a little sign to hand on the door for stay over guest. One side says do not disturb, the other side says maid service requested. It does not matter if you put it out or not because they will go in your room, we knew because bed was maid and clean towels, which is fine but if the maid service requested sign is NOT up then there is no reason for them to go in your room. There is a bunny that lives on premises, we seen him below our balcony and watched him go home but I won't post where it's at so no one can bother the little guy. There are great restaurants around. It costs you six dollars to get over to this island. I would suggest you bring everything you need because there are little stores but everything is expensive on the island. The no- see-ums are bad there and you need a deet spray. We bought the spray they sell on the island which is oily and they just stick to it. We had a great time though and relaxed. read more

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We stayed here last week in the Lime Cottage and it was amazing and peaceful. It's beautiful and you literally walk from your cottage to the beach. Carol in the office was wonderful to us and just a genuinely sweet and awesome person. You get so much out of your stay including an amazing beach. I did a video that I'm posting here. You must go there. It's was an amazing trip. Love, Michelle and Anita read more

My aunt recently passed away and booked a getaway at Waterside Inn. I emailed them to tell them about her passing and to cancel her room. 1. I was expected to send an email from HER email asking to cancel the room. 2. They still charged a $50 cancellation fee for SOMEONE WHO PASSED AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO USE THE ROOM. I was told there were no expectations. Waterside Inn, you've sent your "thoughts and prayers", but you can keep them. It's appalling and disgusting how you are trying to nickel and dime the deceased. read more

Beware! BED BUGS, horrible Management and "F" Rating with BBB I rarely write a bad review unless it's truly warranted. My stay at Waterside Inn on the Beach in Sanibel was the worst hotel experience of my life. I need to share this information as a caution to others. If it wasn't for the bed bugs and management's refusal to refund my money, this would have been a pleasant place to stay. In early October 2020, I reserved 4-nights with a guest (Kiwi Cottage K109). On the 2nd day we were in the room on the bed after dinner and a day of shopping. We both started getting bitten. I was completely covered with bites and welts on my back, back of legs and back of my arms. We pulled back the sheets, scooped up several black specs and put them in a zip lock bag. We confirmed they were bugs that were still moving inside the bag. The office was closed so we used the sofa bed that night. The next morning, we reported the bed bugs to the office. The person at the desk was understanding and apologetic, taking pictures of my welts and the bugs we collected. He stated that I had bed bug bites. I asked for another room for the next 2 nights, but they were fully occupied. I had no choice but to check out and leave. He agreed that I should not stay in the same room if I was getting bitten and if he had the authority, he would give me a full refund on the spot. He submitted a request to the Manager for a refund. In following up, I was informed that the Manager denied any evidence of bed bugs and refused to refund me anything. I then I filed a Better Business Bureau Complaint with all my evidence and pictures. After over a month patiently waiting for resolution of the issue, Management never responded to me or BBB about the complaint. I had been avoiding writing a poor review before that. See BBB for Lee County, FL for other customer complaints and why the F rating. As a resident of South Florida for 18 years, I'm constantly exposed to no-see-ums, mosquitos and other insects, but never in my life have I suffered from bed bug bites all over my body. The bite marks are still there today. I could not be more disappointed in the Management of this property to do the right thing by refunding my money due to a legitimate hygiene issue. read more

Waterside Inn - Example of bed bug bites on my left thigh. Both my legs, arms and back covered with bites. - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

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Had an excellent time this weekend. Carol and her staff were friendly and very on top of the whole property. We loved the studio room. Everything was clean. High recommend. read more

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We are here now thoroughly enjoying our 2nd stay here. Love the cottage, the staff is great- so many kitchen supplies! I will return here often. Everything is clean and the beach is Fantastic & and only steps away. Quiet at night.always peaceful! Dog friendly too! We are so happy to be BACK at the Waterside! read more

Waterside Inn - Beautiful water views - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

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We have stayed here twice. Both times were spectacular stays. While much of this is owed to the beauty and tranquility of Sanibel, the charm and convenience provided by Waterside Inn was the proverbial icing on the cake. Here are a few of my key observations: 1. If you love all things retro, Waterside is for you! The Inn has a distinct 1960's feel that is a nice departure from the sterile, modern trappings we must endure from chain to chain. Sure, there was a flat screen tv in Grapefruit 106, but the unit and the complex as a whole had a classic, Florida vacation feel. 2. Waterside Inn is very, very clean and well kept. This is a feat for any beachside accommodation. Sea breezes, sand, and piña colada drinkers can exact a toll on anything over time. But Waterside looks, as another Yelp commenter noted, spic and span clean. Further, the grounds are well kept, and accentuate the tropical paradise that is Sanibel. 3. The beach access is perfect. Here, it's measured in footsteps, and not segments of a mile. The Gulf may be readily viewed from the front door of almost any unit, and it is a 90 second walk from front door to surf. I should add that they have complimentary lounge chairs that one may take to the beach. This is a feature that you may have to pay for elsewhere, or may not be otherwise available. If you are planning on spending any amount of time on the beachfront, do consider renting an umbrella from the Inn. The shade it can provide is a welcome respite from the intense Floridian sun. 4. The other accommodations are functionally fine. The kitchens come with the essentials. It's not Robbery (Pottery) Barn-grade stuff, but it works. Bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms are also appointed with what you may need, including WiFi. 5. Buy your own water. This is nothing on Waterside. Generally, Sanibel's water, while compliant with USSDWA standards, tastes funny everywhere. Even coffee cannot mask the taste. You may want to stock up on a gallon or two of filtered water if you plan to stay for any period of time. 6. Waterside's location couldn't be better. The Inn is a five minute drive to the main part of town (Periwinkle Drive), and offers convenient access to Sanibel-Captiva Road which takes you to the Ding-Darling Refuge, Bailey Shell Museum, Bowman's Beach, and Captiva to name a few places. 7. Waterside Inn is a great place to bring a family. This is not a beer-soaked, tequila-shooting party pad. Those are plentiful elsewhere in Florida. Waterside is a relatively quiet place that allows people to enjoy their time at the beach. 8. Lastly, beware of the noseeums. These bugs are endemic to all of Sanibel. Their bites hurt, and can itch for days... in an OMG, I can't stop itching the skin off my leg kind of way. Repellent works, however. I tried the all-natural stuff to no avail. Deet does the trick. True, it may affect the nervous system over time, but you will go crazy scratching yourself if you fail to protect yourself from noseeums. As a chemical-free alternative, consider pants and long-sleeve shirts around dusk and dawn times. If you do get eaten by the creatures, and the bites treat you poorly, the Island Pharmacy does compound a topical, OTC treatment that helps. In closing, we stayed here twice, and look forward to returning in the years to come. At the time of writing this review, Waterside Inn did offer discounts to those guests who were returning. I sincerely appreciate businesses that honor customer loyalty. read more

Waterside Inn - View of the beach and ocean near Grapefruit cottage. - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

My husband and I just returned from a long weekend getaway on Sanibel Island where we booked a little cottage (Kiwi 109) for ourselves and our two toy dogs. The staff was very friendly; Pam checked us in and had a wonderful personality. The rooms were clean, could have used a little work in the bathroom (caulking in the shower, etc) but otherwise was great. It had a kitchen, dining area and living room. Perfect for as much, or as little, as we were there. Parking is a bit tight, so if you have a truck, you may have to maneuver a bit. There is a small pool on the property and they provide beach towels should you need them. We loved the beach, it was not too crowded and we had a great time looking for interesting shells (they provide a shell cleaning station which I thought was a great idea). I would definitely return. read more

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Spent a fantastic Labor Day weekend here for 3 nights. Having never been to Sanibel before, we really didn't know what to expect, but now we're hooked! We stayed in Grapefruit 106, and really enjoyed this 1-bedroom space. The unit comes stocked with just about everything you might need, except a dishwasher. I guess we're spoiled at home. We didn't realize that the daily housekeeping service only meant that there would be a towel exchange and a trash pick-up, so after the first night we realized we needed to do our own dishes. Not a problem at all, but we just weren't expecting it. We could have also used a cookie pan in the kitchen, as my husband is a freak when it comes to baking cookies at night when we go on vacation. Instead, we used a brownie baking pan, and just split the batter into two baking sessions. Other than that, all pots and pans, kitchen plates and utensils, along with necessary appliances were all provided. They even provide you with a vacuum cleaner and broom to help maintain sand-free floors! The bathroom had a tub and shower, sink, and toilet. It was quite small, with no real space to place anything other than a couple of items on the counter. The best vanity space was the dresser with mirror in the bedroom, which is the space I used to get ready in the morning, and reserved the bathroom for just showering and brushing teeth. While the cottages here are dated, they are clean! There is some rust in the bathroom and while the unit has a very old feel, the fact that it was Spic N Span clean really made all the difference. This was more than adequate for us, but if you're looking for a 4 or 5 star resort, this is not it. These are beachy old Florida-style cottages. You really can't beat the location, right on the beach. No streets to cross, and you get to park your car right next to your cottage. Though Grapefruit 106 is a Gulf View cottage, you can really only see the gulf from the screened in patio, but that's no big deal. If you prefer to stay in a Gulf Front cottage, I recommend Lime 101 over Mango 102 simply because we noticed several cars parked in the general parking area that were blocking quite a bit of the view for the people staying in Mango 102. Just something to think about. For the money, the Gulf View cottages are perfect! It is without hesitation that I recommend the beach cottages at Waterside Inn if you're looking to stay right on the beach in Sanibel! read more

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Had a wonderful stay for 4 days in a spacious clean cottage literally steps from the beach. Bike to rent, easy walk/ride to restaurants and shopping. Staff was very nice and the beach is gorgeous especially at sunset. Ignore the complainers-- this is a great place and we will return. read more

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Can't say enough about the accommodations, staff and activities. From the time we were greeted upon arrival until such time that we left we felt special. The facility was clean, the planting's were gorgeous, the beach front was beautiful and somewhat private (exclusive use for guests). We enjoyed dining out and shelling! Can't wait to read more

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A true beach getaway!! This quaint beachfront property is a true gem! My husband surprised me with a birthday getaway which also happened to fall over the new year holiday so he made all of the arrangements himself. I am usually the one to make all our travel arrangements so I knew he had to have some help...and Carol was his reservation guardian angel! She walked him through all the available room types and recommended room 128 in the Pineapple Lodge as it has the best view of the gulf and was literally steps from the beach! When we arrived, the reception staff was extremely friendly and made us feel right at home. The accommodations have a beach bungalow vibe and are very cozy and comfortable, however, if you are looking for a high-end or chain hotel vibe, this is definitely not it. But my guess is, if you are coming to Sanibel, that's not what you are looking for. ;) I cannot say enough about Carol and her staff as they were so helpful offering tide times for the best shelling, dining suggestions, (which we took full advantage of!) and even finding an urgent care center (incident occurred off property) open on New Year's Eve, calling ahead to make sure they could accommodate me. We enjoyed our stay and the staff so much that after we checked out, we brought them their favorite cake from one of the restaurants they recommended. I never heard of Sanibel Island before, but thanks to Carol and the rest of the AWESOME staff at the Waterside Inn, I will never forget it!! We shall return!!! read more

I love this quaint little inn. They have a friendly, helpful staff. The setting is very private and it sits right in the middle of paradise! Leave your expectations at home and settle into island time while you relax and just be. Don't expect some high rise monstrosity that practically kills the charm and competes with the breathtaking landscape. This is old style Florida at it's absolute best. You will not be disappointed unless of course you can't let go of uptight tendencies and entitled attitudes. But, if that's the case then you are probably better suited for something more commercial and cookie cutter. If you enjoy a true beach getaway, small town flare and going an entire week without using your car for transportation then this is your place and it is amazing! read more

I originally selected this hotel because I wanted a reasonably priced hotel on Captiva/Sanibel. What I found instead was a gem of a hotel that I would absolutely stay in again. For those of you from Florida, this hotel has the charm of the beachside hotels of yore. The hotel was very clean, and the room had everything we needed including beach towels and all of the kitchen set up one would need at the beach - microwave, refrigerator, and coffee pot. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay, and the bed was quite comfortable. The staff at the front desk was immensely helpful, and down to earth. The best part of our stay was arriving on a Friday when the hotel hosted a happy hour for guests, complete with snacks and free wine. Staying at the hotel felt like we were part of a nice little community. I would definitely stay at the Waterside Inn again. read more

We were hoping for a romantic beachfront room. But, we got was a flying ant infested room that hadn't been updated since the 70s. The bugs were landing on us as we tried to sleep and woke us all night long. There were hundreds of them! We contacted management and they said we should expect a few bugs since it's a barrier island. We said a few bugs are understandable but not hundreds. We politely asked for our money back. They declined. We do not recommend this hotel and wouldn't even suggest it to our enemies. read more

Stayed here for 3 nights on my honeymoon and was not impressed. The bug screens on the windows were slightly broken so biting bugs like no-see-ums and mosquitoes came in. The room wasn't as clean as it should be, light fixtures were dusty and one old bulb burned out. Since the front desk closes at 9:00pm, I had to swipe a bulb from one of the outdoor lights. The fridge was old and rusted, microwave wasn't clean and didn't work properly and in general, the room was in need of renovation. The A/C didn't work properly and the batteries in the TV remote were dead. Also, it was very noisy outside due to maintenance work in the empty rooms next to us. We stayed in the Pineapple Lodge (November) In general, it was what you would expect in an older motel. Too bad the price didn't reflect that. read more

If you want a relaxed cottage feel, I don't know how you could do any better than Waterside Inn on the Beach. We got a great rate, the hosts are friendly, and the accommodations will make you feel at home. I felt like I had my own little cottage on the beach. You walk a very short distance to the ocean and have shuffleboard, a pool, and grills at your disposal. My unit had a full kitchen, was large, hardwood floors, with a cool retro vibe. Highly recommended. read more

Waterside Inn - The pool and Ocean view from the Blueberry cottage at Waterside Inn on the Beach. - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

Location location location. That is the reason to stay at Waterside Inn. Check in and out was easy and that was about the only real contact we had with staff. The grapefruit cottage 108 we rented for 2 nights was just a short walk to the beach but was dated inside and smelled accordingly. Although in need of updating most everything seemed to work fine. Except for the toilet which you had to hold the handle down and count to ten and hope it flushed! And the deadbolt, we had a tough time unlocking it one evening and worried we'd be locked inside! We managed to unlock it and just didn't use it for the remained of the stay. The cottages are basically duplexes with one bedroom, a sitting area/living room, kitchen and bathroom. They have little screened porches as well. Our room had a king bed and a pull out queen sofa bed. The sofa bed was awful, it was lumpy and lopsided. Good thing it was just our 7yo son sleeping there. He only weighs 68 pounds or so, I was afraid to even sit on his bed for fear I'd fall through! The cushions on the sofa were stained as well. From looking at photos online we decided to bring our own pillows because the bedding on the king bed did not look inviting. I'm glad we did, the bed itself was ok but I'd suggest bringing pillows from home. There is a full sized kitchen with everything you need to cook and clean for a few days. There is a coffee pot but they only give you enough coffee to brew 2 cups. Suggestion: bring coffee from home. They do provide filters. Walls are very thin; we heard our neighbors one night opening and slamming shut cabinets in their kitchen. You'd think having the shared wall as the kitchen/bathroom would cut down on noise but we could clearly hear them in our bedroom with the door shut. They also have a more tradition hotel/motel style accommodations called pineapple. Our friends stayed in one of those rooms and their tiny room was pretty dated too. They had a 2 queen room and one of the headboards was completely askew. The front desk provides towels but they are first come first served and we were told they will run out. We got four when we checked in no trouble though. There are beach chairs near the ocean which you can drag down to the beach for the day. They have shuffle board and a shell washing station. The pool is a tiny kidney shaped thing that is like an over sized hot tub. It was as warm as one too! There are a handful of chairs and tables around the pool. I'd suggest taking advantage of the bike trails and either bring or rent bikes while on the island. Many shops and restaurants are just a short ride from this hotel. We biked to dinner and breakfast on a few occasions. There are plenty of paths and spots to park your bikes. The Waterside Inn rents bikes for $18/day. They do allow dogs which is fine unless you have someone with yappy dogs nearby as we did. As the walls are thin this could make for a long week. Also, beware of the no see ums. I think Sanibel tourism tries to hide the fact that you will be eaten alive all day and night (except for a few hours midday when the no see ums must go to sleep). We purchased the bug juice sold at the Waterside Inn and around the island and the bugs just laughed at it. I seriously look like I have chicken pox and itched like crazy for days after we left. Not the hotels fault, of course, but be prepared. read more

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We've been coming to the waterside for years, although it's not the cleanest or cheapest location. We just grew fond of the area and became creatures of habit. During the Red Tide, which was responsible for many falling ill, the waterside refused to work with us to change our reservation. As an asthmatic, it would have been harmful for me to visit that weekend. Be wary of working with this group. A little flexibility and understanding goes a long way when running a business. read more

We stayed in the Breakers West A-5 condo with our four kids for five nights...couldn't have asked for a better getaway - condo was beautiful, beach was very close and full of shells, and the weather was in the mid-80's and sunny every day. Great vacation - we'll definitely return! read more

Waterside Inn - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

The location is great! The cottage was spacious; however cleanliness was not all. I stay two nights on a weekend with kids and husband. On the first night we were all itching and we thought it was mosquitoes due it is August in FL. But when we went back home since itchiness got worst, mainly for the kids, we went to dermatologist and the diagnosis was bedbugs bites.... read more

F RATING WITH THE BBB- This is something I wish I knew prior to booking. This business will not be successful without a complete haul over. We were charged for 2 rooms when we were only looking for one. The morning after booking I received multiple email confirmations and it looked like we were charged 2x. I immediately called to confirm there was only one room and I was told, "you received one email with a balance showing due and another email confirming your balance was paid in full." I was assured we were only charged once. Within the next few days we had noticed the card was charged 2x so my friend had called the office to explain the situation and the front desk told him "you were only charged once. You need to take this up with your card company". He made a dispute. I then called the day before arrival to once again confirm only one room. I was assured there was only one room. Upon arrival there were 2 different envelopes with 2 different rooms. We were most definitely charged 2x. When we went to the office to explain there was an obvious mistake, Carol the apparent customer service master, could not be less helpful. She just kept saying "this is non refundable". We do not have a key to that room, we are not using the 2nd room, because again, this was an obvious mistake and we do not have a refund for the room we are not using. I asked to speak with someone else and she is apparently the only person I can speak with. I asked for the owners information and her response was "They hired me to deal with this stuff". They are clearly struggling for business and seem to be all too familiar with the card dispute process. DO NOT STAY HERE. read more

My initial thought was 2.5/3 star based on the room and price paid (over $300 but that is what happens when you go in March!). Although large (over 400 square feet with a full size kitchen), it was dated and a bit musty smelling. There was also no blanket on the bed so the only option was to use the (very old) bedspread to keep warm on what was a chilly cold March night. But many other factors increased our enjoyment stay on Sanibel at Waterside. First, the staff (Carol and Melissa) were awesome. Friendly and accommodating and we really enjoyed talking with both of them. They even let me borrow a net to go shelling. On site bike rentals even though we ended up not taking advantage of this. Other pros: shell cleaning sink, direct beach access, complimentary beach towels to use as well as lounge chairs. Best of all, even though checkout is at 11am, you can stay on property until 3 and there is a private shower room you can use. So, although the rooms are not the greatest, other amenities make up for it. read more

Wow! My husband surprised me with a romantic weekend getaway and this place was amazing! The staff was great, the cottage was comfortable, well equipped and we spent some much needed mommy and daddy time together. The view of the stars at night was absolutely beautiful, and the walk to the beach to take a stroll along the ocean was wonderful. If you are looking for old time charm this is the place to go. Thank you for making our stay the best! read more

I brought my wife for a nice relaxing & romantic weekend and was very happy with the cottage. Carol was fantastic as was the rest of the staff. M Towels were plentiful and super soft! We were able to unwind and walk a short distance from the cabin to the ocean and enjoy a stroll down the beach. We loved the ambiance and privacy. We will definitely be visiting again! read more

Waterside Inn I understand you have a strict cancellation policy and under most circumstances it makes sense. But in these uncertain times, where the US Government has asked the public to stay home, social distance, avoid all unnecessary travel; when schools,restaurants and public gatherings are closed for an unknown amount of weeks, it is ABHORRENT that you have no flexibility in your policy in response to a national pandemic. Comparable, independent,privately owned lodging all up and down the island are offering full refunds or 6-12 month re-bookings at no charge. You are putting your guests and staff at risk while ignoring the advice of our national leaders. This is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE. To guests who are choosing to cancel - call your credit card company to dispute the charges. In most cases, given the situation, you will "win" and the property will not get paid. And Waterside Inn will lose customers for its inconsiderate customer service. Of note: I, too, am a small business owner, feeling the impact of this crisis. But this is the time to be generous, caring and treat your customers with the utmost respect. I guess the owners CHRISTOPHER & MARY NOLAN don't agree. read more

Don't waste your time! Run down, dirty, and rude! This run down, rusted out amusement park lookalike posing as a resort is total turn off. Arrive early and Bring your attorney to check in to help you with the pile of "you can't get your money back" paperwork to sign. If you have more than 1 vehicle in your party they recommend parking it 5 miles away at a public beach access for $5.00 per hour for the duration of your stay. After they weigh your dog (and only if it's 39 pounds or less) you can pay the extra 20.00 per day. Yes that's in addition to the 20.00 per day "Resort Fee". I looked hard to find a resort but all u saw was a 1960s kidney shaped pool and a stack of rusted chaise lounges in a dirt parking lot. So having traveled the morning to get there I still don't regret leaving immediately and flushing my $200.00 per night (for the lime cottage) my 70 cents per pound dog fee and my 20.00 per day resort fee down the drain. Chalk it up to experience, pass i read more

I had an enjoyable stay in Pineapple Lodge (the 14 room hotel) down the long stone drive. The lodge has the best view of all the properties in a great location to access all places on the island. Mango and Lime Cottages are second closest. The place is kept in excellent condition. My room was spacious with full kitchen and bathroom in great condition. Nice towels and toiletries, paper towels, kitchen gear provided. Nice small balcony. I never saw anyone from the hotel after receiving my key, until I left. (If you are "needy" or want a concierge, perhaps this place is not for you.) I was looking for independence and a peaceful respite, more "homey" than a sterile hotel and this colorful place filled the bill. Nice heated pool--but noseeums were evident when outside and I didn't enjoy being chewed on. Shuffleboard court was vacant. Easy access to the beach. Great sunsets! (Place is not readily handicap accessible due to stones, some steps but they do try if you have some walking ability.) It's disappointing that others are not considerate--screamers at the pool, guy using incense in his room that inspired asthma in others, parents allowing 2 year old to run up and down the upstairs room over me for two solid hours (walls are thin, you do hear everything in the nearby rooms). But can't ding the Inn for their behavior. read more

Wonderful place to stay. Real quaint and charming. It was clean, staff came in every day and tidies up. Best part was the private beach. Staff in the office are real helpful. I would highly recommend staying here. read more

Charming! We are local and decided to have a different kind of staycation and we came across this little gem! WeThe cottage was perfect, true old Florida feel to the whole place. It's right on the Gulf so we stayed barefoot our whole trip. I'm a world filled with chain hotels this was a great change. read more

Well, what can I say? There is a world pandemic and my state is on lockdown and Waterside refused to allow me to change my dates. I didn't even first ask for a refund! Just to change my dates. Now the owner is pocketing my $1300 dollars while we are all living in lockdown quarantine due to covid World pandemic. Does this sound like a decent thing to do? Will not be supporting this establishment read more

Stayed at Waterside Inn for 7 nights. The front desk person and staff are nice and helpful. The rooms barely met our expectation. The cottages are old and need modernizing but they were clean. Kitchen utensils barely adequate. No dishwasher in my unit...ugh. Location is great! Shelling is great! Would be helpful if a few chairs were set up on beach for guest. No food is allowed at pool. I would probably stay at Waterside again. read more

Bugs everywhere! This place is very rustic and buggy. There were dead bugs all over the room, and bugs flying everywhere. The room smelled very musty and the bed sheets and bed cover seemed like they hadn't ever been updated (or cleaned) since the late 1970's. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is for the location being right on the beach. Otherwise, this place needs a serious overhaul. read more

My family has been coming to the Waterside Inn for over 30 years, before it was the Waterside. This year will be the last year we will stay unless something changes. We stayed in the condos and made to feel that we did not belong. Originally we were informed 2weeks before check in that there was water damage to one of the rooms and the condo would not be ready. The manager was extremely rude and unprofessional by stating it wasn't his problem that we had nowhere else to go. 3days later he called and said the condo would be ready. The condo was ready, as they put the carpeting in the day we checked in. Half the condos don't have basic local phone service, we have to provide our own toilet paper, paper towels, and dish soap. Towels are no longer changed and trying to get more from the office is extremely difficult. The office staff is rude and unprofessional and confrontational. There was landscaping going on and they landscaped through the assigned parking space for our unit. When the issue was brought to the attention of management, we were told to call the island association and it wasn't their problem. It's a shame that the change is so significant. I love this place but management has made it so we will look elsewhere. read more

We were recently in Fort Myers visiting friends and wanted to get away on our own for a few days to Sanibel Island. We got a deal online for the Waterside Inn. We only stayed for one night but were allowed to leave our car parked there after check out so we could spend another day on the beach. Since parking is minimal in Sanibel this was a great plus. The Kiwi Cottage was where we would hang our hats for the evening. It was a wonderful lime color and all the other cottages were painted very bright colors. It was spacious with a nice size living area, a full kitchen, eating nook, and a large bathroom with a nice shower. The only problem with the cottage was the cooking pots and pans and utensils. I should say the lack of all dishes. We wanted to cook while we were there and this was difficult because of the lack of needed supplies in the cupboards. The ones that were there were pretty well past their prime.The rooms have been redecorated in bright blues and oranges and have an island feel to them....even the pictures on the wall. Very inviting! There was a problem with our tv but they sent someone right away to try and fix it. Apparently they have trouble with the cable and it never had a good pix but they knew about the problem and did not inform us at check in. That was our only big complaint. It is relaxing and beautiful on the grounds. Pool is small but the ocean is warm so we didn't really care about that too much. Steps from the gorgeous beach and lots of shells to gather. Weather was great and it was a nice get away. We would love to go back and spend a few more days and would recommend to others. read more

We stayed in Pineapple #116 for 3 nights. It was perfect. The room was clean and comfortable. We could not hear our neighbors. We could see the beach from our room. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, helping us rent bikes and find good places to eat. It was a beautiful small resort! We will definitely be going back!! read more

Stayed here for a week. The location is great and the staff is phenomenal. Chris, the property manager is a great guy. The air conditioner in our unit broke and he stayed with us off the clock till the company came out and fixed it. He made sure we were comfortable with everything before he left. Housekeeping is great! Just an overall fabulous experience. read more