I have just returned from one week at Casa YBell. March 25 to April 2, 2005. My children and grandchildren were there with us in two condos. It is great for kids. They loved the pool and the beach. They could use a few more activities for kids. (Making Smores or roasting hotdogs or sing alongs in the evenings.) There is a lot of construction going on and very few of the condos were open. It was great because very few people were there. The service is excellent and the employees are extremely helpful and very nice. Real southern hospitality. You can't beat the location on the island. However, the hurricane changed Sanibel from a tropical island paradise to a place that will take a long time to recover from a severe beating.

The condos need updating desperately--(they told us they planned to do that but the hurricane came and now they are remodeling all of the damaged condos.) The bed linens are horrible and there are no bottom fitted sheets (they slide all over the place) The mattress pads need to be replaced--they are disgraceful. Please give us something to sit on out on the beach--I am too old to sit on a wet towel.

I will return to this place in the future but don't know if it will be as nice when it is full of customers.

We just returned from 4 days at Casa Ybel. About half of the rooms were closed due to hurricane reconstruction (the construction seemed to be mostly inside the units, so it did not bother us at all). We stayed in a one bedroom unit. The rooms are large and well appointed (2 sinks in bath, clean refrigerator and stove in kitchen, fully stocked kitchen, 2 TVs with VCR/DVD, DSL, etc.). I would agree with a previous post that the linens/towels are threadbare and should be replaced, and the mattress was very soft. Our room was a bit tired looking. But, I think visitors need to understand that this is not the Four Seasons. It is a family-friendly beachside resort. Kids and families are running back and forth to the beach and pool all day long, which is hard on a room.

The one major complaint I have is that, from our first floor unit's bedroom, you hear every sound outside the door (like people coming home late and stumbling upstairs to their rooms). If I go back, I would ask for the top floor to try to avoid some of this.

The staff was friendly (we had a problem with the DSL, and someone came within 5 minutes to fix it). The room and the grounds were well kept. We saw the staff scrubbing the grills thoroughly (community grills are outside). You cannot beat the location and view (50 steps to the beach and beautiful sunsets!).

We had appetizers and drinks at the poolside bar, which is good but expensive (any hotel's poolside bar is expensive!). All other meals we had off the property.

Since some of the units are being redone because of the hurricanes, I am curious to see if the remaining units will be updated. It would be worth asking when making a reservation.

We have just returned from a week at Casa Ybel resort on Sanibel Island. We stayed in a one bedroom beachfront room. The room was very large and comfortable, however, it was in need of serious updating. The resort does not provide any activities or beach chairs and the resort does not maintain the beach area. The public beaches are much cleaner. The resort has a very small swimming pool area. Sanibel Island does not have much to offer. Everthing is very expensive. Captiva Island, however, is wonderful. We will not be returning to Casa Ybel or Sanibel Island for a vacation.

After a couple of visits to Sanibel, we tried the Casa Ybel. Now we see no reason to stay anywhere else. The resort is small enough to project a quiet ambiance, but still offer personalized service. Our one bedroom suite was perfect for two adults, with a gorgeous view of the grounds and (oh Yes) the Gulf of Mexico. Beach service is great , small but nicely appointed pool and snack bar, terrific restaurant, and friendly staff make Casa Ybel the only choice. We have found it to be conveniently located to a coffee bar (The Bean), a grocery store (Jerry's), and all the best dining experiences. Being too predictable, we really enjoy Timbers, MC T'S, The Lazy Flamingo, and The Bubble Room. We may try a few different restaurants next month but staying at The Casa Ybel is what really defines our visit.