Hotel at a Glance: Lovers Key Resort

Every suite at Lovers Key Resort features its own balcony, where guests can gaze upon the lush wildlife that surrounds them. Views may include Lovers Key State Park, directly to the south, a handful of keys to the north and east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Back inside the suite, guests can relax in their separate bedrooms, living areas, and kitchens, all of which are decorated with tropical decor, such as bedding printed with palm trees.

• In-room amenities include multiple TVs, fully equipped kitchens, spa tubs, and a sleeper sofa in the living room.
• Share vacation photos with ease over the free WiFi network.
• Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, which is fed by a cascading waterfall.
• Chilean sea bass with citrus miso sauce awaits at Flippers On The Bay restaurant.

Fort Myers Beach, Florida: Island Beaches and Bay Wildlife

The town of Fort Myers Beach is perched on an elongated barrier island called Estero Island, and numerous other islands pepper the vast bay area. Just south of Estero Island is Lovers Key State Park; during tours of the park’s estuaries, trained rangers regularly point out bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees, and sea turtles.

A little farther within Estero Bay resides Mound Key Archaeological State Park, which is reachable only by boat. Here, the islands themselves were formed over thousands of years from mounds of packed shells, pottery shards, and antique beepers deposited by Calusa Indians. To the northwest, the Sanibel Island Shelling Center glitters with a vast array of whorled conches and striped coquinas, which are celebrated every March at the Sanibel Shell Fair & Show.