Caribbean Beach Club

A great location, right on the Gulf shoreline. Part of this facility is obviously a very old former motel, later "reinvented" to be timeshares. Units are comfortable but most are VERY small. The north wing of the resort was destroyed by fire around 2003 and was subsequently completely rebuilt from the ground up. There is some covered parking available on site.

Very nice, large (heated) pool. Various optional social activities are scheduled during the week. Large, stand alone screened-in room beside the pool and shoreline is available for family or other gatherings. Thatched "tiki huts" (with chaise lounges) on the shoreline belong to the resort. Lagoon abutting the property is frequented by many different species of shorebirds, both native and migrating. The place has its' own private "dock" extending out from the property shoreline, but not used as an actual "dock" for boats (the surrounding water is less than a foot deep).

Owners told me that this property was well managed by VRI for many years, but the Board recently decided to switch to a small, South Carolina-based management company instead, for reasons never fully explained. It remains to be seen what the impact of that unexplained change in the property management company will be.

There are (8) Gulf front units, located in the newer "north wing", each with its' own private, screened lanai; these are by far the very best units on the entire property. Units in the south section (where the office is located) are really nothing more than very small, tired old motel rooms, with "kitchenettes" stuffed in later when the place converted from being a motel to a timeshare property; I do not recommend staying in that section. Units in the "middle" section are newer; all have attached screened lanais; the lanais in that middle section all directly abut and overlook the pool area.

A wonderful location, but the facility is a bit of a "hodgepodge" of old, new and in between "sections", each section obviously built at very different times. If you buy, rent or exchange here, you would be wise to very clearly understand and fully consider the units' exact location within the facility. I was fortunate to have stayed in a Gulf-front unit in the "North Wing", in one of the 8 best unit locations at the resort. I would NOT have wanted to be in the old "motel" section (where the office is located) under any circumstances. The middle section seemed o.k., but the (8) Gulf-facing units in the new "north wing" section screened lanais are by far the best located units on the property, although they are still quite small and cramped inside.

Here's a copy of the review I posted on google maps:

I loved that we were immersed in the extraordinary beauty of nature by just leaving the apartment and walking a short ways to the gulf waterfront. Because the lagoon was filled with water, you have to walk about 100 feet to the right to get around it so that you can get to the beach. But along that short walk, we saw all manner of wildlife including ducks, herons, egrets, a rabbit, swarms of newly born tiny fish in puddles of water, etc. I felt like we were on some kind of nature walk. It was an experience my "growing up in the big city" kids had never had.

Also, the plant life was simply beautiful. Lush green, some plants were flowering, a tropical feast of beauty.

And then you approach the water. The beachfront here goes a long way towards the Gulf. Sea shells galore, grasses here and there, a natural wonder. The word that comes to mind is "majestic".

The lodging units here are small but comfortable and have everything you need. Because kids will have to sleep on the fold out couch, and folding out that couch will limit movement in the living room area, this resort's 1 bedrooms are optimal for couples, or small families with up to two younger children. And those couples or small families will love every minute of their stay, as did we.

Three other things I wanted to say:

1. Aside from mine, there are only two other reviews here. Small sample size. I suggest you go to some kind of booking site (like hotels.com) or trip advisor or whatever to get a better feel for this resort. On hotels.com, for example, the rating is a sky high 9.0!!! Even five star resorts oftentimes don't get such a high rating.

2. If you've never vacationed in Fort Myers Beach before, just be aware that many resorts (like Tropical Sands, for example) are across Estero Boulevard from the beach and not on the beach. Also, when you cross the street to the beachside, you find out that there's an intermediate waterway blocking you from getting to the beach. Or perhaps the resort pool is tiny and only three feet or so deep. Or the resort has no hot tub at all.

Caribbean Beach Club, on the other hand, is in a pretty perfect natural beachfront location, has a magnificent pool, and a hot tub.

3. Ground may already be broken on the massive Margaritaville project planned for North Central Fort Myers Beach. That's great news for Fort Myers Beach businesses and restaurants, but I think staying on the southern part of Fort Myers Beach will always be preferable. Go to the hoopla further north within a matter of minutes if you so desire, but come home to your natural wonderland.

Caribbean Beach Club is right on the

Great gulf view. Right on the beach, elevator available, shopping plaza with pharmacy and several restaurants within walking distance, supermarket short distance, trolley runs length of entire island, 30 minutes from I-75 exit 131. Outlet stores, miniature golf courses, boat rentals, fishing charters, seafood markets, movie theater--all nearby. Gas grills as well as pool and whirlpool spa on grounds. Great family resort.

The suite was a little small, but the location and the beach was WONDERFUL. There are a lot of activities going on all the time and it was the friendliest place I have stayed in a very long time.