This Small Island is Florida’s Cottage Motel Capital!

Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by Marybeth

“Heaven’s a little closer in a cottage by the sea.” Everybody knows that. But most of us can’t go out and buy one for a million dollars.

Even better is vacationing in one that someone else swept the sand from and hung clean towels in your bathroom. On this small island (12-ish miles long and 3 miles wide) with many independently owned places to stay – many of them offering individual cottages – Sanibel-Captiva Island is Florida’s Cottage Motel Capital. Sadly, since our earlier article, Sanibel experienced devastating damage from Hurrican Ian and many places were destroyed. 

We’ve rounded up all the lodging we’ve been able to find that is still open, or possibly rebuilding, where you can stay in your “own” place. Beyond our list are many quaint and charming hotels, Inns and vacation rentals (visit Sanibel-Captiva.org for more info, and what businesses have reopened since the hurricane) but for today we’re talking about free-standing accommodations (or in a few cases, partially attached cottages that made our list because they’re called “cottages” or “bungalows”  –  because, after all,  Bungalows is our last name…)

Related:  Stay in Your ‘Own’ Place: 22 Bungalow-Style Hotels in Florida

SANIBEL ISLAND

Anchor Inn and Cottages

The most recent update for Anchor Inn and Cottages that we’ve found since it closed due to hurricane damage, is that it has been sold. No improvements have begun, as of our updated article. Fingers crossed this gem is restored!

Gulf Breeze Cottages

Gulf Breeze Cottages may be rebuilding: we found a Go Fund Me link on their Instagram (posted 2.5 years ago.) Began in the 1940’s, these adorable cottages were grandfathered in for set-back rules allowing them to be a shell’s throw away from the Gulf. Here’s to hoping they can come back.

Periwinkle Cottages

Built in 1959, Periwinkle Cottages offer old-Florida charm with modern comfort. Each cottage is designed for adults and children age 13 and older, and each has a full kitchen, beach chairs, beach cart and cooler, beach umbrella, Weber charcoal grill, complimentary use of bicycles, and more.

Private beach access is located just 300 yards away, a short walk through a peaceful residential neighborhood. With your full kitchen you may never need to leave your cottage, but many restaurants are located just 3 miles north and south of Periwinkle Cottages.

Seahorse Cottages

Attached cottages with private entrances in front and back and private sundecks, peaceful and romantic Seahorse Cottages are designed for adults. Choose from a studio, a 1 bedroom, a deluxe 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom cottage. Amenities include full kitchens, complimentary use of bicycles, sand chairs, beach towels, and beach carts. A small heated pool is surrounded by tropical gardens and barbecue facilities. Seahorse Cottages’ website is no longer live at the time of publication, but Booking.com has the listing, with great reviews as recent as January 2025.

Tropical Winds Motel and Cottages

We’ve found some mixed information on Tropical Winds Motel and Cottages: that they are temporarily closed, and also that the property is for sale. We’re hoping they reopen as the charming old-Florida property they’ve been since 1958.

Waterside Inn on the Beach

Waterside Inn is closed due to damage and is rebuilding.

CAPTIVA ISLAND

Captiva is located at the northern tip of the island reachable by just one main road. Getting there takes a little longer than staying in Sanibel, but Captiva offers the bonus of a pretty little main street with shops and restaurants, within walking distance of most cottages and Inns. We like the option of being able to park our car and leave it for the duration.

North Captiva (separated from Captiva by a hurricane in 1921) is accessible only by boat which has its own charm, and is great for families. With just a small handful of restaurants and only one resort though, North Captiva didn’t appeal to the Beaches, Bars and Bungalows team. What would we write about?

Captiva Island Inn Bed and Breakfast

Right on the main street that leads to the beach, Captiva Island Inn has the perfect location for those of us who love to be close to everything.  The beach is a 3 minute walk to the west, and the Pine Island Sound is a 2 minute walk to the east. Shops, restaurants and art galleries can all be found on this street, and more are located a little further north – an arduous 6 minute walk – on Captiva Drive.

Captiva Island Inn offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites and villas, as well as larger vacation home rentals.

No longer on the website, but I had to show you my photo of The Love Shack, a former cottage rental.

Jensen’s on the Gulf

Captiva’s only small resort directly on the beach, Jensen’s on the Gulf offers seven suites including the Post Office Sweet #6, and PO Box #7, in the historic cottage that was the original Post Office for Captiva Island.

The downtown area’s shops, restaurants and galleries are under a half mile away, and The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant is about a minute’s walk down the street.

Jensen’s Twin Palms Cottages and Marina Resort

Stay in a historic cottage – and don’t let the plain exteriors fool you. Inside you’ll find spacious updated comfort. Jensen’s offers a number of free-standing cottages with either 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms/1 bath, 2 bedrooms/2 baths, and suites with either screened balconies or patios. All have full kitchens with all the basic supplies you’ll need to cook and eat at home (I think we did have to slip over to the Captiva Island Store for salt and pepper.) The marina’s bait and tackle shop has interesting historic photos and kitschy memorabilia, fishing gear to buy or rent, souvenirs, snacks, drinks, t-shirts, hats, and more. A huge bonus is the spacious lounge/grill area by the water. Sit under a tiki hut and watch the fishing boats go by, or cast a line and try your luck, and then grill your catch.

‘Tween Waters Island Inn Resort and Spa

Stretching literally between the Gulf and Pine Island Sound, ‘Tween Waters resort covers 13 acres with many choices of accommodation style including 1, 2, and 3 bedroom cottages, suites, studios and guestrooms. What started in 1931 as a charming collection of fishing cottages has grown into a luxury resort with much to offer. Most intriguing for us are the historic cottages, where in olden times famous visitors, such as Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Theodore Roosevelt, stayed.

With all the dining options and on-site watersports rentals, the beach and the bay right there, you can truly park your car for the duration and never need to leave the resort. Downtown Captiva is just over a mile.

While others on Sanibel-Captiva Island may not offer you your own four walls (or three), many are worth checking out for their old-Florida charm, history, and the evidence of pride and hard work the owners pour into their Inns and quaint motels.

After I rounded up this comprehensive list for you (and it took WEEKS! But have I told you I thrive on doing research? I get so wrapped up it feels almost like an addiction. That’s okay though, right?) I realized I hadn’t even mentioned what Sanibel-Captiva is famous for: shelling. This island is indisputably Florida’s – or perhaps the world’s – Shelling Capital. That’s where “The Sanibel Stoop” and “The Captiva Crouch” come from. Walking down the beach you either have to force yourself to look away from all the upturned butts, or just give in to it… After all, they’re so focused on finding that perfect specimen to take home, it’s almost like an addiction…

Sanibel-Captiva Island is located on Florida’s Gulf coast, 42 miles north of Naples and 77 miles south of Venice.