We had an amazing stay at tarpon tale inn! The place is so quaint and cute! Really loved the grounds, the thoughtfully placed landscaping for privacy, and lots of outdoor seating options. The inside is very clean, and it's nice that everything was recently renovated. They even have different pillow options- the first night my pillow height was too high, but I realized there was a thinner pillow, which I used the rest of my stay. The owners and employees are so friendly and always there (in person or by text) to answer questions or help. This place has everything you need: beach equipment, wagon, bikes, designated parking spot, even hydrocortisone cream. We had a car, but this place is perfect for those with no car. It's only a 5 minute walk to the closest beach, 12 min walk to the lighthouse beach (and a lot of beach parking on the island is not free). It's surrounded by good food- our favorite restaurant on the island (wickies) is just across the street, along with great ice cream. Just to the right is the deli where we got yummy bagels and coffee many times. I also prefer staying on this side of the island as it's much more cozy, small-town feel, and walkable than the other side and down by the beach resorts (we drove out to see). Our flight got cancelled on our last day and Joe was so accommodating with their equipment and outdoor space. My one very minor and personal opinion suggestion would be that the fluorescent bulbs made the room feel a bit blue and stark at night, if the bulbs had a yellow tint it would feel even more cozy. We can't wait to bring our kids when they're a little older and stay here again! read more

Such a cute promising little place! The owners are so nice and have beach chairs and an umbrella and even a cart. The room was spacious and clean. They had great check in info. Unfortunately I did not sleep a wink here, I am a super light sleeper and unfortunately the room next to ours had a couple of baritone guys that woke up at 4:30 in the morning ughhh...the beds were not the most comfy unfortunately either adding to a bit of my suffering as well. Giving it 4 stars. I unfortunately should have gotten some earplugs after the first night. I felt like they were talking to me since their convo was so close to our headboard. Owners seemed to go above and beyond so probably unfortunately just the loud guests we were next to combined with my light sleeping tendencies!!! read more

This is a fantastic place hidden in plain sight on Sanibel. No, it is not on the beachfront but instead is a hidden oasis next to and across the street from a deli, restaurant/bar and ice cream shop. This small. Independent establishment is well run and caters to all anticipated needs as part of your stay: beach chairs, beach umbrellas, a wagon to bring stuff to the beach, beach towels, some beach toys if you have kids, bikes, bike helmets and even sunscreen/bug spray if you need it! Rooms are neat and clean, ours wasn't spacious but we were outside most of the time. Each unit has an outdoor patio area with reasonable privacy, a table and two chairs. There are also other communal areas outside to relax, chat and read in the shade of the trees on the property. Would recommend this to anyone going to sanibel. Fantastic! read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Available bikes to travel around the many bike paths on the island! - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

This place was perfect! I found it last minute because we wanted to stay the night on Sanibel Island. The staff are over the top friendly! So kind, and nice and welcoming! The room was clean and comfortable. It was also quite spacious! Having access to beach chairs and a wagon and more was perfect for two out of towners who came unprepared. This place is also centrally located near many shops and places to eat. I can't wait to come back and visit again and again and again! read more

What a charming place! We were traveling from Naples to Orlando, but wanted to visit "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, so I called a few days before we got there to make a resesrvation at Tarpon Tale Inn. We had a brief misunderstanding about the length of our stay (just one night, but next time much longer), immediately resolved by Joe. A day or so before our visit, we got a detailed text describing the check-in process. The day of our visit, we got another text when the room was ready (about an hour before regular check-in). We were on a NWR drive-through at the time, and made it to Tarpon Tale within a half hour or so. When we got there, Joe met us, helped with our luggage, and then gave us a tour of the facility, directions to the beach, pulled out a beach chair for us, and introduced us to the happy little Tokay Gecko on the fence. He pointed out the ice cream parlor and restaurant across the street, and the coffee and bagel place next door. We got a room with a very nice queen bed, a small but well-provisioned kitchen, and a modern bathroom. We elected to have dinner at Gramma Dot's (at the marina nearby) and ice cream across the street. We slept very well in the quiet of a Sanibel evening, and checked out the next morning for another loop through the National Wildlife Refuge and to continue on our way to Orlando. read more

I hesitate to recommend because I am afraid there won't be any availability the next time I want to stay there. The is the all inclusive except for food bungalow and we loved our stay there in January. There are bikes, helmets, beach chairs, umbrellas, shelling "tools" and even a beach cart; everything is absolutely perfect with lots of assistance or advice from Joe. Towels were refreshed as promised and there were several places within walking distance. It was a very cozy quiet bungalow and we absolutely were delighted with our stay. read more

We had a wonderful stay! Our room was very clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed for a relaxing visit. Our room was spotless and everything seemed new and renovated. The sitting areas around our room were a nice touch - we ate outside and enjoyed the grounds. There were great restaurants very nearby as well as a coffee & ice cream shop. The bikes were a big plus - we loved exploring and town is very bike friendly. The beach was super close (an easy 3-minute walk or 1-minute bike ride). The beach was peaceful and clean - chairs and umbrella provided were so nice to have! The staff (Wendy and Joe) were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made us feel at home right away. We truly enjoyed our stay and would absolutely recommend Tarpon Tale to anyone looking for a pleasant, hassle-free experience. read more

We stayed the weekend in the Mangrove suite. It is perfectly suited for a couple. Very clean and super comfy bed. Hosts are great. Bikes available as well as everything you need for the beach and shelling! Shell washing station, BBQ and outside seating. Private area, although convenient to main roads. Shopping across the street, along with a nice cafe and bar. We will stay here again!!! read more

Joe and Connor are awesome! they thought of everything you would need to stay at the beach, just bring your clothes. The room was perfect, clean and they even had all the toiletries you would need. we can't wait to come back again, but next time we are staying longer. read more

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Our first trip to Sanibel and it was a success in large part to Joe and Connor. Their customer service and communication were top notch. The cottage was cute and clean. The "extras" such as beach cart, chairs, sand gear, toys were all provided so we didn't need to pack a bunch of stuff or rent anything. The location was great too. It was only a 5 minute walk to the beach and there was a great restaurant and ice cream shop right across the street. We were very comfortable at Tarpon Tale and felt very welcomed. Thanks so much Joe! read more

We loved this place. Our room was perfect, very well equipped, very clean. There are chairs, an umbrella, towels and a cart to take to the beach. You can walk to go to the beach. it's really close. The place has beautiful details, everything is well maintained, pleasant. Very friendly hosts. read more

Because of a winter cold front that unexpectedly hit the panhandle we changed plans last minute and came to sanibel..what a joy to find this property available! Walk to beach, bike to ding darling...sunrise looking at fort myer beach or sunset from the lighthouse.. amazing ..easy walk to beach and super quiet even though the Inn was full. One last note--the innkeeper Dawn is awesome... We'll be back someday Xo read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Private patio - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

Great location, clean and attentive innkeeper! Near shops and the beach. Couldn't ask for a better spot read more

Excellent place to stay! clean, comfortable, private porch, beach chairs/umbrella. Great location. Near beach & lighthouse. read more

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I found the Tarpon Tale on Yelp, and I'm glad I followed the advice of other reviewers. Our cottage was quaint and cute, clean and comfortable. The hospitality was perfect - we were left alone unless we needed something, which was exactly what we wanted! They provide free bikes for guests, and free beach gear too. I knew when I booked it that there was not a pool, so I wouldn't dare complain about that, but that is the one thing we wished for during our stay, even though the beach was a very short walk away (we got really lazy after eating our weight in French toast across the street)! Both bay and gulf sides of the island are easily accessible by bike or on foot, as well as the lighthouse and fishing pier. Definitely would stay here again! read more

Was our second time staying here. My mom and I absolutely LOVE this place! So cute and the perfect size for the two of us. The room we stayed in, Lighthouse 2, had a pull out couch and a king size bed. We loved the kitchen and the patio where we could sit and eat. We also enjoyed the free bikes and the proximity to the beach- a 5 minute walk! Something also important to mention was that we were also provided a beach umbrella, two foldable chairs, and a wagon as well as beach towels for our entire stay! We also enjoyed eating at the lighthouse cafe and the ice cream place right across the street. We had the best time at this quaint beach inn and would stay here every time we return to Sanibel. I 100% recommend! ** the only negative was that the pillows were lumpy... bring your own for an easy fix! read more

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This cozy, comfortable hotel is located near a popular beach outlet on the Sanibel Island, an ice cream/coffee joint is directly across the road. The Tarpon Tale Inn is a modified Bed and Breakfast that features lovely outdoor patio, complementary bicycles, a kitchenette, hi-definition television, and is in walking distance to many popular restaurants and shops in the region. The innkeepers are extremely welcoming, and made sure we enjoyed our vacation as much as possible. If you are looking for a moderately-priced hotel while staying in Sanibel, The Tarpon Tale Inn is a great consideration! read more

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Beautifully decorated and super spacious room. The full kitchen, 24/7 laundry room, and outdoor wash stations were invaluable to our stay. These 3 amenities saved us so much time that we were able to use for more shelling. First, the Laundry Room: Fresh towels available 24/7, and many times still warm from the dryer. Extra toiletries, and even extra supplies like band-aids (which I actually needed after I cut my thumb on a whelk shell) available 24/7 and just laid out in the open. Because of this, it didn't matter one iota that there was no maid service; the hotel we stayed at on a previous trip to Sanibel would take our towels away without replacing them and would not provide us with extra shampoo unless we requested it. Second, the Outdoor Washing Stations: Vital for washing the sand and small shells out of our water socks and sandals. It's also conveniently located right next to the laundry room. It was nice knowing that there was a designated spot that we could immediately go to once we arrived back at the inn to rinse off, instead of having to walk to the wash station at the beach from wherever we decided to stop shelling. Third, the Full Kitchen: Awesome. We took an Uber to Publix and bought groceries and just ate at home for our whole trip, which saved us a lot of time and money. We didn't have a car, so hunting around for restaurants would have wasted a lot of our time. The full fridge and stove allowed us to buy actual ingredients, instead of just non-perishables. Our cable box broke down one day, and Dawn and the owners of the inn let us use the room next door to watch TV until it got fixed. I also had a package delivered to the inn, and Dawn kept it under the counter at the front desk for me to pick up. Just really great service, above and beyond. read more

An adorable old Flordia hotel. Everyone associated with this Inn was so helpful and lovely to chat with. The rooms were spacious and clean. Everything you could need was provided. The short walk to the beach was lovely as well. Y9u really only need to bring your swim suit! Towels, chairs, cooler, sunshade...even a folding beach wagon were all ready for our use. Already looking forward to our next trip! read more

My boyfriend and I were both so surprised by how much has already reopened on Sanibel. The Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the many gems that has opened since Hurricane Ian. Father and son duo, Connor and Joe made our stay so enjoyable. The room was beautiful and every bit of furnishing seemed brand new. It was a wonderful place to come home to after our long days spent at the beach. Speaking of- the location of the Tarpon Tale Inn is perfect for beachgoers! We were provided free bikes by the Inn which we took to the beach. The closest beach was also accessible by an easy 5 minute walk from the Inn (but it was more fun to ride the bike.) We were so close to the famous Sanibel Lighthouse as well as many restaurants and stores. Every little detail is considered at the Tarpon Tale Inn- we were not only provided bikes but also beach towels, a beach umbrella, a beach cart, beach chairs, a shell washing station, a shell guide, an outdoor hangout area and more. We know that next time we are on the island we will be staying with the Tarpon Tale Inn again. Thank you for helping us make amazing memories! read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

I rarely write reviews but I returned from my stay at Tarpon Tale Inn eager to share my experience and my delight with my stay. This property's reconstruction and complete and tasteful rebuild are a wonder. Our room - Captain's Cottage - was beautifully furnished, comfortable, and quiet. The private rear deck off the bedroom, along with everything - cart, umbrella and beach cruisers - needed for a day at the nearby beach, are a pleasant surprise. Owner Joe is on the property and always eager to please. Really just a great place to stay on Sanibel. read more

They exceeded my expectations. We stayed July 4 weekend. Dawn met us, toured is through all the amenities and was accessible by text and phone for early check in request and touring recommendations. The room had everything possible. I was very excited by the 2 Bibles, I haven't seen a Bible in a rm in yrs. All the amenities- bicycles, beach chairs, beach trolley, gas grills, outdoor patio were wonderful. It's also situated across from the very popular ice cream shop and Lighthouse Cafe, very convenient for meals. The private beach is a 5 minute walk or 3 minute bicycle ride. The lighthouse park and public beach is .6 miles away. We couldn't be happier and would give this a 6 rating if possible. Dawn is also an excellent host. read more

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The Tarpon Tale Inn is by far the best place we have ever stayed. We fell in love with the Captain's Cottage and can't wait to return. Dawn was incredibly helpful, she went out of her way to get us settled and situated--she gave us a great tour and made us feel welcome. Joe suggested a wonderful deli next door that we visited 3 times in two days! Yum! The amenities are not usually what we look at but this place is filled with them!! And we really had the chance to use them. Beach chairs, beach wagons (super light and easy to use), beach towels, bikes (one of the highlights of our trip). The private patio was delightful, we felt like we were the only ones there and loved the outdoor shower and a nice drink on the private patio in the afternoon. Everything that Tarpon Tale Inn could have thought of, they did--if you wanted to set your towel down, there was a place to hang it up right there. Thoughtful designed, peaceful, and wonderful getaway. So thankful to Dawn and Joe for making our trip special. read more

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We stayed at the Tarpon Tale Inn a week after they reopened after Hurricane Ian and it was AMAZING!!! Joe and Conner were the greatest hosts and the property is just beautiful and the room was perfect and cozy. We have found the Best hidden gem on the island, we will be back again and again. read more

We had a great 3 day getaway at the Tarpon Tale Inn. The owners communicate wonderfully, the rooms are clean and well decorated, and the location is perfect for touring the sites of Sanibel Island by car, bike, or foot. We highly recommend this location for a quaint Floridian experience in a unique community. read more

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My fiancé and I were looking for a quaint space to get away from the craziness of life and this place was perfect! Dawn was amazing, and provided everything you could need for a beach get away - chairs, wagon, umbrella, and even bikes were available on site ! The location was an easy walk to the beach or bay side of the Island. It is also across the street from delicious breakfast, souvenir shops and ice cream!! My only complaint would be the comfort of the mattress, but we will totally be booking again and recommending the Tarpon Tale Inn to friends and family! read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Hammock outside of our room! - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

A favorite getaway place for us for many years. Clean, quiet, lots of things to use and enjoy . Friendly owners who are always available if you need anything read more

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We just stayed this weekend and it was a great balance of price and value. Chairs for the beach, towels, and a beach umbrella, all included. And free bikes to get there. Quick and easy ride. So convenient to just pack a bag and make it a long weekend. Great patio too for eating outside. Also a good location, with a local restaurant, coffee shop and ice cream shop right across the street. Lot's of trees and patio screening too so you're off the bike paths but not losing privacy. This was a welcome relief from the snow in MN in February. I highly recommend this one. Great vacation rental value! read more

My husband and I wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of Miami for a night so we booked one day at the Tarpon Tale Inn. We were pleasantly surprised by our room which was very spacious and impeccably maintained.The outdoor area contains hammocks and a grill area as well. There is a great ice cream/bakery right across the road as well as a breakfast restaurant. Bikes, beach gear, etc is all included. No room service but there is a laundry room which was very convenient. Perhaps best of all is that the innkeeper, Dawn, was super helpful! We extended our stay two more nights because the inn and area was so peaceful and a perfect vacation. I would highly recommend this place for small families and couples in particular, and we cannot wait to come back! read more

After our cruise was cancelled, we decided to stay close to home and visit Sanibel. While on Trip Advisor, we stumbled upon Tarpon Tale by accident. After calling around, my significant other kept returning to Tarpon Tale, because Phyllis, the owner was so lovely on the phone. In any event, she was able to accommodate us at short notice, and once we arrived, we were thrilled at the suite she had reserved for us! It was beautifully decorated, spacious and lacking nothing! We truly felt like we were at home! We had a patio off of the bedroom that was beautiful, private and relaxing. On the patio, there was even a wagon that you could use to pull your items one block to the beach! Moreover, the grounds were tropical, inviting with many amenities, that included - bikes, hammocks, tables and chairs and comfy lounge chairs. There was even a gas grill, beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers and more! Most importantly, our innkeepers were lovely people. I had a minor accident while biking (due to my own negligence) and they were right there assisting my significant other and myself in any way they could. We were so grateful! I highly recommend this tropical oasis! Thank you again to the wonderful innkeepers! Donna and Tom read more

Excellent place, location, and value. My wife and I decided on a two day getaway off-season in late October. This property is located on the east side of the island near the lighthouse away from a lot of the congestion. We stayed in Lighthouse 1, a large room with a king bed, kitchenette, and well appointed. The room was bigger than many three or four star rooms we've stayed in. Road bikes, or just sat outside and people watched. Great breakfast and ice cream places right across the street. Within walking or biking distance to both the gulf and bay side water front. We had a fun relaxing time. We will be back. read more

My wife and I decided to spend two nights at Tarpon Tale Inn for our first anniversary. What a wonderful stay. We stayed in the Lighthouse II room and it was perfect for the both of us; plenty of space. We arrived early and grabbed lunch and Dawn let us check in a little bit early. We were given a tour and shown to our room. The laid back, very quiet atmosphere of the area is very relaxing and romantic. The room was clean and well equipped. There was a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, as well as a mini fridge. It is very apparent the attention to detail that the owners have. Many conveniences that you would notice at large hotels are found here. It shows how much effort is put forth to give a very comfortable stay. The largest selling point for me was the amenities. The price to stay here is very reasonable considering that you can borrow bikes, beach chairs and umbrellas, use the grill, outdoor space to rinse off, and MORE! The owners seem pretty attentive and easy to reach if anything is needed. My only complaint that I had was that the mattress in our room sunk in the middle and so it was a bit uncomfortable. Similar to an air mattress. I'm sure this is not the case in every room. It may just need to be flipped. We will definitely be back. No doubt. We absolutely loved this place and I'm sure you will too! read more

We loved the Tarpon Tale, just one small problem....we have a King size mattress, The mattress in Lighthouse ll is a double(?) and a bit lumpy, and as another guest mentioned it tends to sink in the middle... BUT, this is a charming little place convenient to the beaches, they have beach chairs umbrellas and bicycles to use...bonus is the LIGHTHOUSE CAFE across the street....great breakfast... read more

Great value, great rooms, great location! 5 minute walk to the beach. Owners are super friendly and accomodating. Great ice cream and breakfast places across the street. read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Outside the Inn - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

Despite how this hotel is listed on Hotels.com (via Travelocity and Expedia) this hotel IS NOT PET FRIENDLY. THIS HOTEL IS NOT PET FRIENDLY. More accurately, this hotel is PET HOSTILE. The owners hate dogs and the manager said they cater to clientele who are highly allergic to pet dander. If that's you, then Tarpon Tale Inn is the perfect place for you. I could have secured a better rate at another Sanibel hotel, but I thought I was paying more for a dog-friendly place when I selected the checkbox on Expedia and it resorted the options, listing Tarpon Tale as the highest rated pet-friendly hotel. But no. They saw my dog, canceled my reservation, and left my wife and I high-and-dry on our anniversary in a strange town. The manager said, "Our no pets policy is ALL OVER our website!" Check it out for yourself. At the time of this review there is no mention of pets anywhere on the web site. https://tarpontale.com/ read more

Quaint, close to beach, good for singles or couples, very good for lone beach bum read more

Tarpon Tale Inn - Garden side patio - Hotels Near Me - Sanibel, Florida

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This place was amazing I will definitely stay here again I love it..Close to the light house,fishing doc and restaurants will be back soon..

The room was bigger than we expected, with a comfortable bed and a great shower. The manager was exceedingly helpful and the included amenities available were abundant; Bikes, hammocks and a grill to name a few (complete with complimentary herb garden). It did need some TLC, but the rosemary and flowering lemon thyme were a nice addition, to the meal I grilled one evening. A two block walk down a secluded sandy road, lead to a picturesque bridge, opening out onto an exposed beach. I found it a pleasant activity after dark as well. Across the street is an ice cream, pastry and "foodie" shop, which has some tasty things on offer. Apparently the brunch place next door to it is also above average, but we did not partake. Overall, it was a fabulous and peaceful place to stay. I would highly recommend it if you want a place to unwind and still be within walking distance to the beaches and more. read more

I have not physically stayed at this inn. My fiancé and I were going to stay at the Tarpon Tale Inn for our entire vacation. Originally, we were traveling from Houston to Fort Myers. The night before our trip, our flight was canceled and rescheduled to later in the day and to a different airport. Not a big deal, we just had to drive a couple of hours to get there. Adventure, right? So Thursday morning on the way to the airport, Dawn called me to just check in and welcome us. I told her about our flight change and that we would have to come in later than expected and she said it was not a problem and gave us instructions on what to do when we got there. Fast forward 10 hours and a flight delay, we are stuck at our layover stop in Dallas after another flight cancelation. American Airlines "couldn't" get us on another flight to Florida until Saturday. (We were going to be stuck in Dallas for 2 days with no luggage- our luggage got on the first available flight to Tampa, but not us! (This is a whole other story)) The whole time I kept Dawn updated on the delays and ultimately our flight cancellation and asked about a refund. I fully expected to still have to pay for the entire reservation. She obliged and was empathetic. I will DEFINITELY be staying there in the future!! She really cares about her customers and is super sweet. Thank you so much to Dawn and the Tarpon Tale Inn team!! read more

Stayed at the Tarpon Tale last week. Great value and location. Clean and well appointed; as advertised. Their 'honor system ' check in was a little surprising but very refreshing. Had to laugh at the 'gone fishing ' note at registration. Only negative was the window air conditioner's inability to keep up with the 90 degree temperature. read more