We found the Surfrider Beach Club through RCI and thought it was an excellent value for the trade.
The Surfrider is a very well maintained facility with a large pool, hot tub, newly resurfaced tennis court, horseshoe and shuffleboard courts, playground equipment for children, and multiple gas barbeques available for cooking. Guests can borrow kayaks, pool toys, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, and bikes for free. Washing machines and dryers are available for use at no charge. Wi-Fi is also free. The office has a small amenities store that includes sun hats and other sundries for sale, along with free DVDs, books, and games you can borrow during your stay.
The 1-bedroom unit we stayed in had an upgraded master bath shower that included a tile seat in the corner of shower, grab bars, and lots of space for shampoo, conditioner, etc. There was plenty of storage space throughout the unit, including a dresser and nightstand in the master bedroom and 4 large drawers below the master bedroom closet.
The main room of the unit included a living/dining/kitchen area. There were additional large drawers below the couch in the living area. The furniture was not particularly stylish, but was definitely suitable and made sense for the wear and tear of beach-living. Other than to sleep, we spent most of our time on Sanibel out of our unit, so the furniture was certainly fine for our needs. Both the living area and the master bedroom contained nice sized LED TVs with USB connectors for plugging in other devices. The kitchen, as with most vacation units, was a bit cramped but contained clean, organized dishes, pots, pans, and utensils. There was also a small dishwasher. Unlike another resort we stayed at in Williamsburg, VA, extra coffee filters are available for free if you run out.
The management and staff were very friendly and helpful, as were the guests. Many of the guests have been timeshare owners at Surfrider Beach Club for years and are a good resource for giving tips on where to eat and what to do around Sanibel Island. Outside our unit was a screened-in breezeway with chairs. The atmosphere was so laid-back, open, and friendly, we enjoyed sitting outside the unit and talking with our neighbors on either side who were also often sitting outside.
The beach is only steps away right in back of the Surfrider. Having such easy access to the beach made it easy to go shelling at low tide. Unlike some other beaches on Sanibel, we had no beach parking fees since a free parking space was included with our unit.
The Surfrider Beach Club's mellow atmosphere, easy access to the beach, and many free amenities helped make our stay in Sanibel a truly lovely vacation. read more
