Sanibel’s Beachfront Casa Ybel Resort

With its Gulf-front location, award-winning restaurant, and gorgeous surroundings, Casa Ybel Resort is “One of 500 greatest hotels in the world” according to Travel + Leisure magazine, while Conde Nast declares it is “One of the best places to stay in the world”. With such high commendations, Casa Ybel Resort is definitely worth a visit!

Located on the sandy shoreline of Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, Casa Ybel Resort is a historic retreat tucked within 23 acres of spectacular natural beauty. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Photo courtesy Casa Ybel Resort

Located on the sandy shoreline of Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, Casa Ybel is a historic retreat tucked within 23 acres of spectacular natural beauty. This makes it a popular choice for destination weddings right on the oceanfront or in the romantic lakeside gazebo. The resort has its own professional wedding planner who can assist in making all the arrangements for a dream wedding on Sanibel for up to 200 guests. This historic resort is also popular for honeymoons and special events.

Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island, Florida is an oceanfront all-suite hotel offering modern kitchens and beautifully appointed rooms. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Photo courtesy Casa Ybel Resort

Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island, Florida is an oceanfront all-suite hotel offering modern kitchens and beautifully appointed rooms. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Photo courtesy Casa Ybel Resort

The all-suite accommodation has modern kitchens and beautifully appointed rooms to thrill the heart of any visitor. However, with a plethora of activities and shops on Sanibel, and the award-winning Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant on the resort, you are unlikely to be spending much time enjoying Gulf views from your room. Check out the live webcam here and picture yourself in this idyllic spot.

Things to do at Casa Ybel Resort

The beautiful sunny climate and gentle sea breezes make Sanibel a wonderful location at any time of year. You may want to relax by the beautiful Olympic-size pool within sight and sound of the Gulf of Mexico, or step out onto the powder soft sand and go shell hunting – something Sanibel Island is famous for.

Casa Ybel Resort, relax by the beautiful Olympic-size pool within sight and sound of the Gulf of Mexico, or step out onto the powder soft sand and go shell hunting – something Sanibel Island is famous for. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Photo courtesy Casa Ybel Resort

From the comfort of your private cabana you can watch the world go by or get a little more active by renting a boogie board or stand-up paddleboard from the resort’s beach rentals. Make use of the beach volleyball court, play shuffleboard, shoot some hoops on the basketball court, or take tennis lessons with the resident pro.

Beyond the resort, the concierge can book sport fishing charters and relaxing boat trips for snorkeling and dolphin spotting in the beautiful Gulf waters. They will also book you a round of golf at one of the many championship golf courses in this area or arrange bicycle rental so you can explore the island along the miles of bike trails that criss-cross this flat barrier island.

Family-Friendly Amenities on Sanibel Island

Families are welcome at Casa Ybel Resort with family-sized rooms, kid’s club programs for youngsters aged 4-11, and even a separate swimming pool for “tadpoles”. High chairs and cribs are available and rooms are reassuringly baby-safe.

There are a variety of board games available for quality family time and you can even book a babysitter and enjoy a romantic meal beneath the stars.

Dining at the Thistle Lodge

Casa Ybel has a choice of dining venues. Coconuts Poolside Bar and Grill is an idyllic spot for sipping cocktails at sunset or enjoying al fresco lunch by the pool. There’s live entertainment on weekends as you enjoy fried calamari or chicken wings with a golden margarita or frosty beer.

Upscale dining is offered in the romantic setting of the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant, which has hosted many famous diners, from Thomas Edison to well-known food critics.

Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel Island. Upscale dining is offered in the romantic setting of the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Must Do Visitor Guides, MustDo.com

Photo courtesy Casa Ybel Resort

Epicurean delights are prepared by Executive Chef John Wolff. Drool over hand-cut Kobe beef tenderloin in the Kobe Beet Tartare or sample local seafood with the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi Fillet with Coconut Curry Beurre Blanc and Orange Reduction. Sea bass, salmon, and lobster are offered alongside veal, lamb, and char-grilled steaks, all cooked to perfection.

This award-winning restaurant is the climax of all the amenities offered at Casa Ybel, and is one of several reasons why this top Sanibel resort is so highly acclaimed.

Written by:

Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.