Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

The main resort's pool and beach were wonderful, but the rest of this family stay left us frustrated. We usually go to Fort Myers Beach and will head back there next time. For the price of one night, this wasn't worth the trouble. We'd told the hotel when booking and again the day before that we'd arrive around 3 pm, and I had asked about early check-in. I know it's not guaranteed, but with two young kids, waiting until 3 minutes before 4 for our room after being told it would only be a short wait was a rough start. Surely a two-queen room could have been ready for us at 3. I had booked the Captiva tower, not realizing it was a golf cart ride from the main area. We had to call each time we wanted a ride back. The place smelled like rotten eggs outside, a comment we heard from other guests too, and it felt cut off, with no staff based there apart from the cart shuttle when called. The tower's pool had no towels when I took the kids there. There was a gala that night, and we felt out of place in our casual clothes in the main area. Food options were limited: the host said the restaurant was buffet only, and the pool bar was shutting at 6. I asked the bartender for something the kids would eat, and he put in a takeaway order just as it was closing, so we did get them food. Then, on checkout day, housekeeping came into the room at 10:20 to ask if they could clean, even though checkout was 11. I told the cleaner we still had 40 minutes. That was the last straw for me.

We had a great sunset and gulf view from the balcony, and the bed and sheets were comfortable. The room was spotless and everything worked. The bathroom had an updated shower, vanity, hair dryer, iron and board, and safe. We used the pool, heated to 84 degrees, and ate at the pool deck bar, where servers bring food from the menu. There's also a regular upscale restaurant in the lobby. The hotel felt clean and luxurious. Parking was easy, either valet or free self parking in the covered garage, just a short walk to the elevator. The front desk was very helpful. It's right at the foot of the Sanibel causeway. We stayed two nights and would definitely come back.

The setting is hard to beat, with lovely water views and sunsets, plus a great view of the causeway. What stood out even more was how welcoming and helpful everyone was during our four-day stay. We've stayed at more than 100 Marriott properties over the past 30 years, so we're used to very good service, but this one still exceeded our expectations. Bob, Tom, Jeff and Kevin at valet, Cydni, Brianna and Amit at the bar, Meri, Alejandra and Triya in the restaurant, and Yegmur at the coffee station all went out of their way to make us comfortable. There were many others whose names I can't recall.

The pools were nice and roomy, the athletic facilities were top notch, and our room was clean. The food was fantastic wherever we ate. The Steakhouse and the Cabana stood out for both great food and service, so the problems weren't everywhere. The back of house team did a great job too. I took the photo with my drone. Service at the Tarpon House and by the pool was terrible. At the breakfast buffet, you can't get your own silverware or drinks, so I had to ask staff more than once and wait 20 minutes. Then there was the tip for service that had been so poor. Poolside was much the same and somehow worse: it took ages to get a menu and silverware, and sometimes they never arrived.