I want to travel to Sanibel or Captiva Islands - I am looking for accommodation, but I find it very hard to make a decision based exclusively on online research. I would welcome any advice on where to stay. I am not very fond of big chain hotels like Holiday Inn's etc.... I much prefer small motels or self-catered cabins, but I am afraid to book a shabby place because online everything looks pristine..... so, ideally I would love to find a small motel or cabin by the sea, in a quiet part of town. Another thing to consider is that I am traveling with my parents and our baby, therefore I am looking for places that have a apt-like layout, with ideally the choice of one or two bedrooms and a kitchenette. Any advice on this and other must-see, must-eat, must-do attractions would be greatly appreciated.
posted by libelula on Jan 3, 2006 - 11 answers

Hi, I wondered if any of you knew about where to live in Naples, Florida. My husband and I are in our mid-thirties, with 6 month baby. If the web is to be believed the average age is 137 and all there is to do is shopping and hurricane boarding and hoarding. We are a pretty hip couple moving from Brooklyn NY. We really enjoyed our neighbors and sense of community in Brooklyn but now our husband's job is moving us down to FL. We will probably rent in the short term and would like to be within walking distance of the beach and shops. Any advice would be great, thanks.
posted by libelula on Dec 1, 2005 - 13 answers