Sundial Beach Resort

Found this gem on trip advisor for around $ 670.00 for the Memorial weekend and was super excited to stay because Sanibel is known for there beautiful beaches, shells and how family oriented it is. It took us about two and half hours to get there coming from Miami. When we were checking in their was a problem with my purchase from trip advisor the $ 670 was instantly becoming an additional $ 150 for hotel fees and stay. I became upset and asked them to give me a discount because that was not stated on my purchase from trip advisor so Raphael that was helping us honored that and we were not charged. THANK GOODNESS! We also received wrist bands for free beach chairs with umbrellas and access to paddle boarding, bikes and kayaks with towels. We also recieved a $ 70.00 credit to the Steakhouse that was located in there lobby. The rooms were pretty good fully furnished with kitchen. Make sure to also bring the mosquito repellent because your going to need it for watching the amazing Sunset on the beach and viewing the stars. They have happy hour at 5:00 pm in both bars. Ohh and please say hello to Ms. Patti she was awesome she’s located at the upstairs bar.

The resort is fantastic! We had a wonderful weekend in a 2 bedroom garden view condo. The condo was well furnished with full kitchen supplies and very nicely decorated. The resort package included use of bikes, kayak and paddle boards, and one day use of either a poolside or beachfront cabana. We had delicious lunches every day and the rum runners were the best ever. All of this one one gorgeous beach. I will visit again and definitely recommend to all.

Keep in mind, this is not a hotel. It is a resort with hit and miss management and rooms that could use updating. I made my reservation directly through Sundial, requesting a king bed with gulf view. I received one day free and free cabana. The cabana is poolside so if you want to be on the beach, it will cost $ 50 more. My husband and I checked in to our room (b202) and noted two twin size beds. Not exactly the king I requested. Called front desk who said THEY CANT GUARANTEE A KING. They offered to move us to the C building but it would be a partial view. We paid for the view so we decided to stay in B202. They did give us additional $ 50 to use on food etc. First morning I was awoken by gardener using his weed wacker and neighbors upstairs. This is not a quiet place and there are no black out curtains. We went to activity center to pay for our beach cabana. They had no record of my reservation even though I called a week ahead and specifically requested «beach». We very much enjoyed the rest of our stay. It was beginning of low season and at times felt we had the beach to ourselves.

This is an annual tradition for my family for many yrs now and we love it. Yes we’ve had subpar rooms from time to time but the staff immediately moved us and were very accomodating. My son now loves it here as much as I did as a kid with the enormity of things to do and those memories make this place priceless to me.

Pros:
I thought that for the amount of money I paid, even with the hidden costs, it was reasonable. The 2 BR condo we rented for 4 nights was enormous, in fantastic condition, and served as an excellent home base while visiting the beach, amenities, and the area. If it had been small or outdated, I would have felt slighted, but it was big and beautiful.
The amenities were plentiful. There are a number of pools, there are cabanas both poolside and beach-​side, kayaks, paddle-​boards, and bikes to rent for free. Just make sure you get there early to take advantage of them. If not though, just be patient and you’ll get what you need. There is also a tennis club with lessons and free rental equipment. Also, the food is excellent (see cons below for comments regarding waitstaff, however).
The beach here is beautiful. Lots of shells on a beach as far as the eye can see in both directions. Dolphins, pelicans, and other birds are plentiful. Having a Tiki hut (bar) near the beach also enhances the experience.
No bugs in mid-​late April. 85 during the day and 65 at night, nothing but sunny skies all week. The weather was amazing, the water was warm, the shells were plentiful, and the nightlife was fun.
There are a number of great places to eat within walking/​riding distance. I particularly enjoyed Il Cielo, Blue Coyote, and Island Cow, but there were lots more.
Cons:
Beware the hidden costs. I’m a fan, yes, but if your displayed cost online shows $ 379/​night, expect about $ 80/​night in resort fees and taxes. Just FYI.
The same people that serve food in the restaurant are also pulling your kayak out to the beach for you. This results in a waitstaff that’s sub-​par, so if you’re expecting a fine dining experience, go somewhere else. This also results in a familiarity with the people working there and taking care of your stay, so it can have it’s upsides.
The place is somewhat sprawling. Our condo, T302, was as far away from the main building as you can get. It turns out that on this trip it was just my wife and I, so the extra walking was a welcome way to burn off the previous night’s shenanigans. If you have small children you will want to request a room close to the main building.
Summary:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons here. I recommend it, and the cons are diminished by properly setting your expectations, which is why I mentioned them at all. The food, amenities, beach, and surroundings are definitely not to be missed.

Great resort! Everyone was very friendly from the moment we checked in! We came in early and they offered to get our room ready ASAP and gave us privilege to all the amenities. The restaurant on the premise was average to include the service (for the restaurant). The room was great, specially for the price. Be careful with the «no-​seeums» at night (look it up online). We fell in-​love with the resort and thanks to it; we will retire in Sanibel

Absolutely fantastic resort! It exceeded our expectations. We booked directly through the hotel and got a package for $ 50 room credit, free cabana for a day and one night free with a four night stay! Our room was gorgeous! We booked a partial view room and the view was still amazing! We had room Q405 and it was decorated very nicely and the layout worked fantastic for a family of 5. Someone reviewed that the drinks by the pool for $ 15. Not true– they are $ 10 but if you just drink during happy hour they were $ 5. Beers were $ 5.75 during normal hours and $ 3.75 during happy hour.
The girls participated in the Sea School, as well. They LOVED it and were ages 7 & 8. They went on a Tuesday and there were only three kids total.
We made our own breakfast and lunches most days and went out for supper. The Turtle’s food on the patio was delicious and they would bring it to the cabana! You also got a cooler with bottled water and ice and about 1 PM they brought you a snack basket as well-​free of charge! The cabana runs $ 70 a day and the resort fee was $ 40 a day. At first I thought that was high, but with all you get, I didn’t dwell on it. We will be back!

The unit is very nice. The downside is the beds are hard as a rock! Everything shuts down by 10:00pm. There is no nightlife around the resort. The tennis courts are super nice. Overall it is a decent place to stay. It is definitely meant more for families to come.

Stayed here in mid-​March. The unit we were in L-​302 was clean and bathrooms were recently updated. Seems like all the units are different. The resort fee at $ 40 per day seemed a little high for two adults and a senior who didn’t use many amenities. However for a family that wanted bikes daily, kayaks, kids activities, etc $ 40 is probably a bargain. The staff is super nice, friendly and engaging. They had fun kids activities which provided fun entertainment even though our kids are grown and not with us on this vacation.
Based on other reviews I would say, evaluate your unit and ask to be moved if you’re unhappy as it seems they are all different.
We are likely to stay again.

At first I gave this resort a 1 given the issues we had with a very poorly maintained unit. The facility itself is a 5 and the staff is a 5. Fantastic place that we will come back to. If not for the room it would be a 5! I gotta think this was an anomaly given the A/​C, the water heater, and the soaked room all happened at the same time.

First time we were here the experience was great and the value seemed good.
This time during season there must be less of a selection of rooms because at $ 420 per night I would expect a nicer room. Cheap dresser with drawers uneven/​flimsy in the bedroom and shag style carpet. The rest of the room (kitchenette and tv area were nicely appointed. Inconsistent I guess but again for the money, not the best value.

This place was awesome and the staff was awesome! Josh the manager took such good care of us. Thank you Josh! The room was clean and very nice. We especially enjoyed the pool and hanging out at the pool bar watching our hometown football team, the Panthers! At night they had a kids movie on a big screen outside and we hung out by the fire pits tables. It was so relaxing and the atmosphere there was perfect! We came down early for a conference and stayed here prior to having to stay at the Marriott for the conference. The Marriott was such a disappointment after staying here!

It was a pretty good deal for the beach front location and activities all included with the $ 35/​day fee for those who reserve through the resort. The rooms are time shares and/​or privately owned condos that the resort rents out for owners. Ours was upgraded with granite counter tops new furniture and new tile and carpeting on floor. Beds were comfortable and it was clean.
The reasons I give it so three stars are:
for one we never got maid service the first day (we finally had to call front desk at 5 pm and ask for towels) and it came really late (after 230) the second day. Our room should have had it because we were renting through resort. It’s also rather key when you’re at a place that you know you’ll be showering frequently because of the beach and need the new towels.
Secondly the resort allows smoking in so many places that it’s really quite gross for someone who can’t be around smoke. I guess a lot of Florida is like that as I’ve been to another resort on this trip and experienced the same thing. Being from Massachusetts and before that California I guess I became accustomed to/​took for granted the no smoke environment as the norm rather than the exception.

Pros: Location, cleanliness, market and restauraunts. Screened deck. Full kitchen.
Cons: Just need better description of difference between coastal and beach view.
Stayed with my wife, Mom and son in a two bedroom… J407. We’d hoped to be on the beach, but got Coastal View instead — big difference, be sure to ask. Once we got moved, everything was excellent. Joshua and Larry went above and beyond for us. Onsite market and restauraunts excellent, perfect in nearly every way. Hated to leave. Clean, modern, well kept and perfect beach. Will come again and shoot for a beach view, but J was nice and close to main pool, fitness and activities. A+++

The new owners of Sundial have done a phenomenal job!!! I cant praise and thank them enough! I have been coming to this resort since i was a baby. My parents tell me the resort was awesome back then but over the years then place was run down. Not anymore! All of the remodeling is gorgeous. New furniture everywhere. You can rent these cute cabanas at the main pool. ALL of the staff are friendly and professional, but also can have a conversation. Plus the little gym is awesome! I can get my morning sweat in without having to drive anywhere (or spend an arm and a leg)
I am now 25 and a grad student. With the immense pressure of school I find it hard to calm down when I’m on holiday. This is hands down the best place to come to really relax, put your feet up and let your hair down.

like several other reviews– for restaurant — specifically thanksgiving buffet. and i would actually give this place ZERO stars.
wished i had read reviews more carefully (i was more reliant on trip advisor). i want my money, time and calories back– this place was just god awful.
first off, we had tried to make a reservation before flying out and were put on a wait list but never heard back. we called an hour before the 7PM seating and they seemed accommodating enough letting us know they could seat us. we were greeted by a cranky woman who obviously was unhappy to be working a holiday and as i tried to explain to her that we had just called she very hastily said «I NEED A NAME». we should’ve walked out right there. we were from that point on, labeled as the «walk-​ins». we were told to wait in a nursing room-​ish conference room where we were left until about 7:30 until i decided to walk up to the hostess stand myself since no one wanted to seat us. «OH ARE YOU READY?».
again, WHY didn’t we just leave? we were banished to the balcony (outdoors) while there was plenty of seating indoors.
horrendously over thymed vegetables, rolls and cheese that have been laying out since the 1PM seating and ass-​parts of the ham (for my son)…mark this as the worst part of our sanibel trip and worst thanksgiving ever.

Been here twice. First time (Aug. 2014) it was great. We got a great room in Bldg. C with a king bed and a nice balcony. Considering this first stay, we booked again (Aug. 2015). Big mistake. We made the reservation far in advance asking for a king bed and nothing. We had to stay in a room (Bldg. D) with a queen for one night till we got the room we wanted. But still, quite an inconvenience to have to repack.
That first room was run down too with a broken kitchen faucet, a dirty coffee maker, and mold in the tub walls.
The second room was OK. What sealed our deal to not returning: we needed a plunger the morning of our checkout and the room did not have one. The phones are not clearly marked to know the extensions of the front desk and housekeeping. When I finally got someone on the phone, I had to call 2 more times and it took them an hour to finally help us.
Food at the restaurants are good, spa is too expensive for the services and products they use. Don’t go there.
The apparent renovations are good, but maybe they could’ve used some of that renovation money to work on improving the rooms that need it.
Needless to say, I will not recommend.

The rooms are old, dirty and expensive. It’s a bad 3 star hotel. Had I known I would never have reserved. You have to walk through several parking lots to get to the pool. The only thing that was good was the restaurant food and their French press coffee. The accommodations were awful. Bring water shoes. No beach side or pool side service.

This place is pretty pricy but it’s is amazing! Free wifi, bicycles, pool, kayaks, tennis, paddle boards, and poolside games. We also had our wedding and they did an amazing job they coordinated all the vendors and everything went off perfectly. If you are planning a Wedding or Confrence and want it to go perfectly call Alicia trust me you won’t be disappointed!

This review is for the restaurant only. My family wanted to go to the Sundial for dinner because of the al fresco dining for sunset. The whole experience was disappointing.
Service was average at best. The host was not very friendly when we arrived. They would not give us a happy hour wine deal even though we had arrived on time but it took them some time to seat us. Service was also slow during the night which is surprising since the restaurant was not that busy.
The food was very average and overpriced. The best thing we had were the mussels. They were cooked well and the white wine sauce was nice. The entrees were a different story. Grandma’s mahi-​mahi fish was the best bite of the entrees I tried and went nicely with the lemon sauce. I ordered the grouper sandwich. It was very average– dry and under seasoned. My husband ordered the fish tacos and didn’t like them. I tried a bite. They were almost wet and soaking through the tortilla– either too much oil or mayo. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but I’d check out another spot first.

Schönes sauberes Appartement in dem man sich willkommen fühlt.