Waterside Inn on the Beach
3033 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5609
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About
#9 of 17 hotels in Sanibel Island
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
4.3
Value
4.1
Temporarily closed. Are you searching for that true Olde Florida charm and style? Look no further than Waterside Inn! You?re just steps away from the beautiful beaches of Sanibel. Amenities include a heated pool, beach loungers, on-site bike rentals, and BBQ grills. Come to relax and unwind in one of our small inns or cottages.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Vending machine
Beach
Bicycle rental
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
BBQ facilities
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Fishing
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Picnic area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Family Resort
Ocean View
Languages Spoken
English, Italian
Location
Contact
3033 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island, FL 33957-5609
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $39/day
Nearby restaurants
Joey's Custard
457 reviews1.2 miAmerican
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille Sanibel Island
6,975 reviews20 minAmerican
Cielo
1,309 reviews3.2 miSeafood
Bleu Rendez Vous French Bistro
493 reviews1.3 miSeafood
See all nearby restaurantsNearby attractions
Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
462 reviews1.7 miFlea & Street Markets
Bailey's General Store
607 reviews1.2 miSpeciality & Gift Shops
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
386 reviews1.6 miHistoric Sites
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
1,659 reviews19 minSpeciality Museums
See all nearby attractions760Reviews30Q+A100Room tips
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We have come to Waterside a few times over the past decade. The location of the Inn is perfect. The people who work the desk, take care of the grounds, and clean the rooms are all friendly and feel familiar. I love the availability of bicycles! I love the palm trees among the cottages and the jasmine arches that lead to the pool. I love the little palm-thatched cabana near the shore with the hammock. What I love, perhaps, the most is the knowledge before you even make a reservation that this is a family place, not a place for spring break partying. Hurricane Ian took away much of the physical parts of the Inn, but we hope that it can be rebuilt. What was not destroyed--the spirit of the place--will, I hope, find a place to thrive among the new cottages that will be built.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My family and I drove from Tampa to Sanibel for the weekend. I booked our room with expedia.com under pet friendly and this hotel popped up. I booked it after speaking with an employee, jeff, over the phone before arriving. I then received a voicemail from JEFF that our room was ready. We arrived on scene and it specifically states on the property pet friendly. Jeff then told us the room we booked is not pet friendly and only one of the buildings was. JEFF stated there were no vacancies and we should check down the street. WE NEVER CHECKED INTO THE HOTEL OR STAYED ON THE PROPERTY. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO GIVE US A REFUND FOR $370.00. I CALLED EXPEDIA AND MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY TO PUT A STOP PAYMENT ON THE CHARGE. CROOKS!!!!!
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Date of stay: September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
This was our 5th vacation here. Can’t wait for the sixth. Grounds are beautiful. Cottage was homey and clean. Jeff was the best. Made sure everything was perfect all week. He took care of us like we were family. Free bicycles, beach umbrella & towels very handy for a great time. Love the hammock in the shaded tiki hut. Thank you for a great vacation. See you next year.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Sep 9, 2022
Thank you for the review. So glad to hear you enjoyed your stay and look forward to seeing you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I very much enjoyed my stay at the Waterside Inn. I stayed in one of the standard guest rooms which had an ocean view from the balcony. I also stayed mid-week in mid-August so it was very quiet most of our stay which was exactly what I was looking for. As one would guess, the property was busier Friday and Saturday which is when I left. The person working the front office during most of my stay (I believe their name was Jeff but apologies if that is incorrect) was extremely friendly and helpful throughout our stay and made it a positive experience. Beach was steps away from the building our room was in. They thought of everything to make it a comfortable stay. I stayed for a few days so brought food for breakfast and lunch-room included working fridge and microwave, ice machine downstairs, paper towels, and even dish soap to clean out my water bottle. Beach towels, umbrella for the beach, and beach chairs were all available for free. They provided plenty of regular towels for the room for two people daily. None of this bothered me at all or affected my stay but the rooms could use some general updating as some fixtures and front door parts were rusty. The wall air conditioning unit was also on the louder side and the fan ran constantly which may bother some light sleepers. One other suggestion I might suggest for added security on those front doors is some sort of additional lock or chain. Also be sure to review the cancellation policy and when they charge you for the rooms. I did not have a problem with either policies but they are not as flexible as standard chain hotels. Overall, my experience was super positive and provided the relaxed beach getaway I was looking for!…
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Date of stay: August 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Sep 1, 2022
Thank you for the review and feedback. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol (office manager) and the staff were outstanding! Carol, thank you for welcoming us to Waterside and making our stay relaxing, fun, and comfortable. We loved our cottage which had an ocean view and was just a few steps from the water. Beach chairs and umbrellas are provided at no additional charge. The property is clean and well maintained. Easy bike ride to ice cream shops, restaurants, and stores. Bikes are provided by the property. Very relaxing vacation. We are looking forward to coming back soon.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Aug 15, 2022
Thank you for all the kind words. It was our pleasure having you and your family. Were so glad you enjoyed your stay and look foward to next time!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The best word that describes this delightful little property is "Charming." It is well-secluded from the main beach road of W. Gulf Drive so street noise is a non-issue. The staff (Carole and Jeff) were simply outstanding…beyond friendly, eager to please, knowledgeable of the area and fully accommodating. The property has both a small motel-like accommodation and several private "cottages" one of which we stayed in. It has a full, comfortable living area and a full kitchen with all the necessary amenities (pots, pans, dishes, utensils, coffeemaker, etc.) Admittedly, the accommodations are somewhat "older" and need a bit of "refreshing" but that should not be considered a deterrent whatsoever. The staff seems to be aware and on top of that and appreciate guests pointing out any "trouble spots." They provide beach chairs and umbrellas with the only caveat being that you have to carry them yourself to and from the beach which is only maybe 100 feet or so…no biggie. The beach itself is lovely but the sand is covered with shells (many of them beautiful) so some form of foot covering is needed for any real walking. It ain't the sugary sand of Pensacola. There are also plenty of bicycles available at no additional charge. All-in-all we had an outstanding experience for a short 2-night stay and a wonderful way to spend our 24th Anniversary. WE WILL BE BACK!!…
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Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Aug 15, 2022
Thank you for the review and feedback. We look forward to many more returns!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We thoroughly enjoyed our 1 night stay in a 1 bedroom, pet friendly, cottage. The proximity to a beautiful beach was wonderful. Our cottage showed some signs of wear, but was clean and cool. It had a full kitchen and the floor was entirely uncarpeted. We loved the cottage and can’t wait to return for more days next time!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Aug 7, 2022
Thank you for the review. We look forward to your return.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I stayed her for our anniversary. We wanted a place on the beach that wasn't a big property. We loved our stay here. Everyone was helpful in the office especially Victoria who gave us great suggestions for dinner. The property is older but it was well maintained. It was quiet and we could walk outside our cottage to the beach as well as use their bikes for biking around the island.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Aug 2, 2022
Thank you for the feedback! Were so glad you enjoyed your stay and look forward to your next visit!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our family has been staying at this property for going on 40 years. There cannot be a bad day on Sanibel Island however, the way we were treated this past weekend is unacceptable. We will stay on a property down the street (Shalamar) in the future. There was scheduled tree trimming on Sunday, so cars had to be moved around, and the pool was closed! This kind of maintenance should be scheduled on less popular weekdays. But that isn't the worst of it. We live in FL so we usually arrive before rooms are ready, and were allowed to use the facilities, and enjoy the beach. We were told we couldn't park on the property until check-in, which was in 4 hours. It was suggested we park 2 miles away and walk! The same occurred when it came time to leave. We were told we couldn't be there after check out. The place had vacancies and there were plenty of open parking spots, so it wasn't like we were in the way. It was very disappointing to be treated that way, in a place that felt like home to us for nearly 40 years. We will find a more accommodating place to stay. This is very sad for all of us. We miss the welcoming, friendly, accommodating, feels-like home treatment at what used to be the Snook Motel, and is now Waterside Inn. If you read thru their reviews, you will notice the administrators respond to positive reviews, but ignore negative reviews. They just don't care!! Your money is better spent elsewhere, where you are more appreciated.…
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Date of stay: July 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Jul 13, 2022
Thank you for your feedback. We always try our best to accommodate our guests. Our check in time starts at 3pm. and we do allow guest to park as early as 1 pm. We have a small changing cottage with a bathroom and shower for early arrivals to use until the room is available for check in. Being a small resort we cannot accommodate arrivals before 1 pm for parking due to limited parking . Guests who are departing have to check out of the room by 11 but can enjoy the beach until 1pm. Arrivals can park at 1 pm until check in at 3pm, this way everyone has some time to enjoy the beach before and after check in and check out.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Waterside Inn did it again! What a magnificent vacation our group had. I have reviewed Waterside Inn previously. It is the #1 place to stay on Sanibel Island, Florida. The staff is friendly, professional and accommodating. Carol, thank you for welcoming us and all that you do for us at Waterside. Our friends and relatives love Waterside Inn. You make everyone feel at home. Also, Jeff and Victoria, thank you for your hospitality. Sanibel Island. Waterside Inn. Beautiful.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Waterside Inn, General Manager at Waterside Inn on the Beach
Responded Jun 3, 2022
Thank you John. It is always my pleasure to see you all . Thank you for the continued patronage over the years. You are all part of our Waterside Inn family and we look forward to seeing you again! Carol Rushworth General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ALSO KNOWN AS
waterside inn on the beach hotel sanibel island, waterside hotel sanibel island, waterside resort sanibel island
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaSouthwest Gulf CoastSanibel Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
27
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Claim Your ListingWATERSIDE INN ON THE BEACH - Updated 2023 Prices & Resort Reviews (Sanibel Island, FL)
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterside Inn on the Beach
Which popular attractions are close to Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Nearby attractions include Sanibel Island Farmer's Market (1.7 miles), Bailey's General Store (1.2 miles), and Sanibel Historical Museum and Village (1.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Conveniently located restaurants include Joey's Custard, Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille Sanibel Island, and Cielo.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Waterside Inn on the Beach?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Italian.
Are there any historical sites close to Waterside Inn on the Beach?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Sanibel Historical Museum and Village (1.6 miles) and USS Mohawk CGC Veterans Memorial Reef (0.4 miles).
Does Waterside Inn on the Beach have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.