Where to stay in Fort Myers Beach, FL

The Fort Myers area is well known for its dream-like beaches and tropical setting. But where to stay in Fort Myers Beach for the best experience?

You find Fort Myers Beach lodging in the areas North Fort Myers Beach and South Fort Myers Beach. Additionally Downtown Fort Myers, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island offer more hotels near Fort Myers Beach.

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Hurricane Ian update: At the end of September 2022, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island were severely hit by Hurricane Ian. While still recovering, the local community appreciates your interest in visiting the area.

North Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach is located on the about 7 miles (11 km) long Estero Island. The northern part of the island is the option for where to stay in Fort Myers Beach that’s closest to Downtown Fort Myers and Sanibel Island.

In North Fort Myers Beach you find most of the island’s activity. North Fort Myers Beach is the busier end of the island with a higher concentration of shops, restaurant and bars.

The centre of activity and heart of Estero Island is the Times Square area. There you more often than not find something fun going on. Checking out Times Square is one of the best things to do in Fort Myers Beach.

Another highlight in North Fort Myers Beach is to walk the iconic fishing pier. With beautiful views and salty air Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier is a nice stroll at any time of the day.

In short, North Fort Myers Beach is the best option for where to stay in Fort Myers Beach if you prefer to have most things to do close by. But for a more peaceful and secluded Fort Myers Beach stay you should look towards hotels in South Fort Myers Beach.

Pick North FMB for: Fort Myers Beach hotels near entertainment.

Favorite location. North FMB is the alternative for where to stay in Fort Myers Beach that has all you need for a great vacation. If you stay at Fort Myers hotels up north, you don’t need to go anywhere else during your Fort Myers Beach stay.

Recommended North Fort Myers Beach hotels

Diamond Head Resort

At the beachfront Diamond Head Resort you arguably get the very best ocean view in Fort Myers Beach. Add to that all the amenities you crave for, including a beachfront pool, and you never want to leave the Fort Myers resort. If you hunt for a beachfront Fort Myers resort, you don’t need to look further.

Edison Beach House

Edison Beach House is located on the beach and just a stone’s throw from Times Square. With such an excellent location you have all you need for a great vacation within easy walking distance. The convenient access to both the beach and entertainment makes Edison Beach House one of the best places to stay in Fort Myers Beach.

South Fort Myers Beach

South Fort Myers Beach is a great alternative to the busier northern Fort Myers Beach area if you like the idea of less lively beach days. It’s the quieter option for where to stay in Fort Myers Beach.

When you go from North Fort Myers Beach to South Fort Myers Beach, you notice that the crowds soon start to thin out. Much fewer visitors reach the southern shores than the busier northern Fort Myers Beach area.

So in South Fort Myers Beach you get more peace and quiet, compared to in the northern area. That’s perfect if you look for a less lively Fort Myers Beach stay and don’t mind to be further away from the things to do at Times Square.

From South Fort Myers Beach it’s also slightly longer to Downtown Fort Myers and Sanibel Island. But on the other hand you’re closer to popular highlights in the south, such as Lovers Key State Park and Barefoot Beach.

In conclusion, the southern area is the best option for where to stay in Fort Myers Beach if you want a less lively Fort Myers Beach vacation. Away from Times Square the beach is as pretty in South Fort Myers Beach, but the crowds thinner.

Pick South FMB for: Fort Myers Beach hotels in a quieter area.

Recommended South Fort Myers Beach hotels

GullWing Beach Resort

A great Fort Myers Beach resort if you want to stay away from the Times Square buzz is GullWing Beach Resort. The Fort Myers Beach resort offers a fantastic ocean view and direct beach access in a quieter part of the island. For the times you want more liveliness, you find that just a short drive north.

Downtown Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers, also called the River District, stretches out along Caloosahatchee River. The area is a great option for where to stay in Fort Myers if you look for something else than a pure beach vacation.

In Downtown Fort Myers you find a home-town vibe. The district, featuring brick-lined sidewalks and majestic palm trees, offers a high density of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.

As a bonus Downtown Fort Myers is walking friendly, so you don’t even need a car when touring the area.

At Fort Myers hotels in the River District you’re also close to the top attraction of the city, Edison & Ford Winter Estates. There you can enter the historic homes and fall in love with its beautiful gardens.

But for fun in the sand Downtown Fort Myers is located a drive away from the beach. Under good traffic conditions it takes 30 minutes from Downtown Fort Myers to the beach.

To sum up, in Downtown Fort Myers you have the attractions of the charming city right on your doorstep. But if you’re after a beach vacation, you should look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting Fort Myers Beach.

Pick Downtown Fort Myers for: City hotels near Fort Myers Beach.

Budget location. Downtown Fort Myers is a great option for where to stay near Fort Myers Beach on a budget. The further away from the Mexican Gulf you go, the more the Fort Myers hotel rates drop.

Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is a great choice for where to stay in the Fort Myers area if you’re after a quiet Florida beach vacation in an exceptional and quiet setting. On Sanibel you are always close to nature.

Unwinding and exploring nature are priorities on the island. Biking, shelling and bird-watching are popular Sanibel activities. The island is a very popular choice for where to stay in the Fort Myers area, especially for couples and families.

You certainly find a good selection of restaurants and some cool bars on the island too. However, Sanibel Island is not the option for where to stay in the Fort Myers area for that big night out.

But if you’re hungry for more action, you find it on the mainland. From resorts on Sanibel Island you have about 30 minutes to Fort Myers Beach and 45 minutes to Downtown Fort Myers.

To sum up, Sanibel Island is a unique option for where to stay in the Fort Myers area. On the island you find beautiful nature in a very relaxing setting. But if you prefer a livelier beach stay, you should look towards Fort Myers Beach.

Pick Sanibel island for: A peaceful Fort Myers getaway.

Recommended hotels on Sanibel Island

Island Inn

At Island Inn on Sanibel Island, you really feel close to nature. From the beachfront property, you can even hear the crashing waves and spot exotic birds. That the hotel sits in a central island location also makes it a great base for exploring the island. The combo of peacefulness and convenience makes Island Inn one of the best places to stay near Fort Myers.

Captiva Island

Captiva Island is the most secluded option for where to stay near Fort Myers. Located north of Sanibel the island is like its own tiny tropical bubble.

Without a direct mainland connection you to reach Captiva Island hotels need to go through Sanibel Island. The Blind Pass Bridge between the two sister islands indirectly connects Captiva to the Florida mainland.

The remote location of Captiva is a treasured feature. Its position far away from the buzz is excellent if you prefer a quiet stay in the Fort Myers area.

On Captiva Island you also find a small but appreciated selection of shops and restaurants. So if you don’t want to, you don’t need to move many feet during your stay.

But for day trips it from Captiva takes about 20 minutes to reach the eastern end of Sanibel. To that add another 30 minutes to reach Fort Myers Beach or 45 minutes to get to Downtown Fort Myers.

In conclusion, Captiva Island is a remote option for where to stay in the Fort Myers area. The hidden island offers an escape with less to do, fewer people to run into and an in general quieter time.

Pick Captiva Island for: A secluded stay near Fort Myers.

Recommended Captiva Island hotels

South Seas Island Resort

The whole northern tip of Captiva Island is owned by South Seas Resort. It’s a place to stay near Fort Myers that offers a truly unique location. At the resort, you can enjoy landscaped grounds, a 9 hole golf course and resort facilities. Although you’re far away from the mainland buzz, it’s unlikely that you will feel that you miss anything.

Where to stay in Fort Myers Beach FAQ

Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

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