Blind Pass: Sanibel's best kept secret in Sanibel Island

Second floor unit that has been completely renovated. 2 bedrooms & 2
beautiful tile baths. The master bedroom has a king bed, TV, sitting area, large walk-in closet and full bath.  Guest bedroom has 2 full beds, TV with VHS/DVD player and full bath outside bedroom door.  Livingroom has 2 queen sleeper sofas, entertainment center with TV, DVD, VHS & AM/FM stereo, CD & IPod player.  Dining room table with 8 chairs and kitchen bar with 2 stools.  Very light and bright. Fully equipped kitchen with Microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, bender, crock pot -absolutely everything you would need and laundry area with new washer & dryer. Other amenities include air conditioning and ceiling fans, hair dryers, ironing board and iron. Unit is supplied with luxurious linens, towels and beach towels, DVD's, videos, CD's, games, puzzles, books, beach chairs, umbrellas, ice chest, shell nets, beach and pool toys, tennis rackets and balls. Free Wifi and computer/printer available for guests in Recreation Hall. Free Kayak and canoes.

Complex nearest beach which is just a short walk along a lovely tropical path. Enjoy the abundant bird life and watch dolphins play while you walk along the best shelling beach on Sanibel. Enjoy the relaxation of the incredible sunsets on the beach each evening.

Non-smoking unit.

Pool - heated to 82 degrees in the winter, 2 championship tennis courts, BBQ and picnic area and free kayak and canoe rental on complex.
2 golf courses on island.

Boat rentals and cruises nearby.

Bike rentals and bike paths nearby. Easy bike ride to Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary.

Sanibel and Captiva have many great restaurants and lots of wonderful
shopping.

Frommer's lists Saniibel Island as the number one travel destination

Lee County, FL -

Sanibel Island is the number one travel destination in the world, according to travel guru Arthur Frommer, the mastermind behind Frommer's guidebooks and budget travel magazine.

Frommer recently ranked his ten favorite places to visit and listed Sanibel first above destinations like Bali and Paris.

Sanibel Island residents are celebrating the top honors from such a respected travel writer.

The island has won many travel awards and high rankings, but this carries special weight because it is Frommer's personal favorite.

"I thought it was sort of a hidden treasure for a long time," said visitor Kay Liebenow.

"Well, it just ensures that I'm going to be able to stay here for the rest of my life and hopefully my children will continue to live here and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth," said Michael Billheimer, owner of Lighthouse Cafe..

The ranking gives Billheimer and others who work on the island a sense of security.

Frommer cites the island's natural beauty and home for rare birds found at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

"To be picked number one, to be a part of Sanibel Island, we always knew we were number one but it's nice to have backing from someone with that much prestige," said Toni Westland of the refuge.

The Sanibel Chamber of Commerce says in just these first few weeks of season, they've already seen a record number of people at their visitor's center.

According to the Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Southwest Florida region is coming off of record year for tourism tax collections

4/05/13 - 12/20/13 = $895 per week + 11% FL. tax

Thanksgiving Week- 11/23/13 - 11/29/13 = $1,000 per week + 11% FL. tax

Christmas Week - 12/21/13 - 12/27/13 = $1815 per week + 11% FL. tax

Shoulder - 12/28/13 - 1/31/14 = $1195 per week + 11% FL. tax

2/01/14 - 4/25/14 = $1840 + 11% FL. Tax

4/26/14 - 12/19/14 = $895 + 11% FL. Tax

Thanksgiving Week - 11/22/14 - 11/28/14 = $1000 + 11% FL. Tax

Christmas Week - 12/20/14 - 12/26/14 = $1815 + 11% FL. Tax