April 2008 | Insider's Guide | By D. Fran Morley
Beaches Of Fort Myers & Sanibel
Unlike Any Other Florida Location, Really!
By D. Fran MorleyLee County, in Southwest Florida, including the city of Fort Myers and the surrounding beach communities such as Sanibel, has been a popular leisure destination for more than a century. But, today, the area is also drawing more business travelers, said Suya Davenport, executive director of the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB). "In the past several years, meeting planners have discovered us as a prime location, thanks to our newly built airport terminal, which has improved access, and the expansion of meeting space at some of our properties, including Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Sanibel Harbour Resort and South Seas Island Resort. In addition, we're seeing more inland properties with new entertainment and shopping destinations. There's just so much happening here right now. And, people don't think ‘been there, done that' when it comes to our area."
Debbie Pound, executive assistant for Producers Ag Insurance Group, said Fort Myers provides a high-quality yet relaxing environment for meetings. For the organization's recent three-day training session, about 90 attendees met at DiamondHead Resort in Fort Myers Beach. "We've met there frequently, and I've recommended it to business associates as well as friends. We provide airport transfers for our attendees, but once they are on the beach, everything is within walking distance."
Located on Fort Myers Beach,
DiamondHead Beach Resort recently installed wireless Internet access in all 124 suites, said Dina Craig, communications specialist. "And we've completely renovated our 31 premium suites with new furniture, linens and flat screen TVs, new baths, and new granite dining bars in the kitchens." The resort has 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
According to the VCB, numerous hotels are open or will open soon along the U.S. Interstate 75 corridor and near the Southwest Florida International Airport, Gulf Coast Town center and Florida Gulf Coast University, including a 90-room Comfort Inn and Suites, a 166-room Residence Inn by Marriott, a 170-room Hilton Garden Inn, a 130-room Homewood Suites by Hilton, and a 165-room Holiday Inn. At least five other hotels are in the works for the surrounding areas.
Fort Myers
The 226-room Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at the Bell Tower Shops was recently certified as Fort Myers' first "green" hotel, said Joan Jenkins, director of sales and marketing. Upgrades and renovations to achieve the state certification came with the hotel's re-branding as a Crowne Plaza in early 2007, Jenkins said. "In addition to green upgrades, we completely renovated all of our guest rooms and meeting space." The hotel now has 10,000 square feet of event space.
The 192-room Clarion Hotel Fort Myers, adjacent to the Bell Tower Shops, has 6,200 square feet of event space, said Kayla Hull, catering manager. "In the past two years, we've invested about $2 million in upgrades, with new carpet, new furniture and new air conditioning for all the guest rooms."
A 134-room Courtyard by Marriott, with 1,000 square feet of event space, recently opened near the Gulf Coast Town Center, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination that is opening in phases. Ashleigh Henry, hotel marketing director, said, "We encourage our retailers and restaurants to host a variety of events in an effort to provide our shoppers with a unique experience." When complete, the center will feature 15 anchors, two hotels and approximately 120 specialty shops and restaurants.
Fort Myers Beach/Bonita Springs
On Fort Myers Beach, Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa now has 221 guest rooms and more than 9,700 square feet of indoor event space, plus 47,000 square feet of outdoor space, said Ellis Etter, director of sales and marketing. "We have wonderful recreational and teambuilding opportunities, it's a shame to be in a meeting all day long," Etter said.
The 454-room Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort, located on Estero Bay in Bonita Springs, less than five miles south of Fort Myers Beach, has completed a ballroom renovation; at 14,000 square feet, it's the largest ballroom in the area, said Joe Thompson, director of sales and marketing. "We have 37,000 square feet of indoor space and three huge lawn areas for outdoor events, including our 12,000-square-foot Royal Palm Courtyard."
The 150-room Embassy Suites Fort Myers – Estero is located between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. The hotel offers 4,500 square feet of meeting space, said Dan Sullivan, director of sales, adding that the hotel is ranked as the fourth top Embassy Suites property in the entire brand. "We provide excellent training for our employees and have a sense of camaraderie here," Sullivan said.
Sanibel & Captiva
The island communities of Sanibel and Captiva can be accessed via a toll bridge from Fort Myers.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 6 percent
· Hotel Tax: 5 percent
· Transportation: Lee Tran offers bus and trolley service on 17 fixed routes with connections to the airport, major hotels and other destinations. |
Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa is an 85-acre waterfront resort on San Carlos Bay overlooking Sanibel Island. The 385-room resort now has 45,000 square feet of event space with four ballrooms, accommodating up to 935 guests each, according to Paul Dugan, director of sales. "The newer conference center was actually designed by meeting planners during a weekend focus group. We also have 35,000 square feet of outdoor space."
Sundial Beach and Golf Resort on Sanibel Island has had an ongoing program to renovate its condo units since the 2004 hurricanes, said Sarah Rossini, public relations manager for LXR Luxury Resorts, which owns the property. The resort offers Sanibel Island and has 288 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of function space in 10 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 300 people. Rossini also added that a new bar venue has been recently added to the property.
David Walsh, director of sales at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, said the resort is perfect for smaller association meetings or corporate events. "Meeting guests can feel some ownership in the resort no matter where on the resort they stay or meet," he said. The resort has 480 guest rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of indoor event space plus numerous outdoor locations.
