Many large dog owners never travel with their pets as it can be difficult to find accommodations that allow bigger dogs. These dog owners will be happy to hear that the Castaways Beach and Bay Cottages, located on the northern tip of Sanibel Island off of the coast of southwest Florida, welcomes dogs of all sizes (although there are some breed restrictions - see below) - and the best part is, the dog-friendly beach is right across the street!
The Castaways offers a choice of studio to three bedroom cottages located beachfront, poolside, overlooking the small marina or bayside. This makes it a great choice for a family reunion as there is room for everyone - including pets! The units are all clean and furnished in "Old Florida"-style. It's not fancy, but it doesn't have to be. Instead it exudes a special charm that many small beachside properties lack. All the cottages feature a full kitchen, a living room and a dining area. Some have screened in porches which makes a great place to relax in the shade after spending the day in the sun shell-hunting.
The closest beach, Bowman's Beach, is just steps away from most of the cottages. All the beaches on Sanibel are dog-friendly, however dogs must be kept on leashes. Bowman's Beach is a very quiet, unspoiled natural beach. There's sand, surf, sea grasses and plenty of shells - everyone will be doing the "Sanibel Stoop" in no time!
The friendly staff at the Castaways give you a packet of information when you check-in including a list of pet-friendly restaurants, a sea shell guide (if you're lucky enough to find the Junonia you'll have your picture taken for the newspaper!), a handy tide chart, and other information including "5 Reasons to Leash Your Dog on Sanibel". Pets are also given special dog tags with the resorts information on them making it easy for people to find out where your dog came from if they happen to escape from the cottages.
The property itself has a small pool and a marina where canoes and kayaks can be rented. Beach chairs are available at the Marina Store and bikes can be rented from the gift shop. Guests at the Castaways can enjoy access to its sister resort the 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island (just a few miles from the Castaways). This is a larger resort with a spa, tennis courts, pools and award-winning dining. It is actually closer to the Castaways then the main restaurant and shopping area on Sanibel Island (which is about 7 miles away).
The rates for the Castaways start at $145/night for a one bedroom during low-season (April 18th-December 20th, 2010). There are many units to choose from with different views and sizes. For a full list of rates and packages, click here.
The Castaways is a great destination if you want to get away from the hubbub of everyday life. There are no telephones and limited internet access so there's no excuse to not to relax ("forget" your cell phone at home, too!). And because dogs (and other pets) are allowed, there's no reason to take a break with the whole family.
- Pet-friendly units have ceramic tile so no carpet to be spoiled
- Pets must be on leash at all times
- Owners must pick-up after their pet
- Pets aren't allowed to be left unattended in the unit for more than 2 hours (shouldn't be a problem as many restaurants are pet friendly - click here to read more!)
- Pet fee of $20 per pet, per day
- Breeds not accepted due to insurance reasons are: Pit Bull, Chow Chow, Akita, Husky, Doberman, Wolf Hybrid, Presa Canaroso, Rottweiler and Staffordshire Terriers (sorry guys!)
From Orlando: Head west on I-4 to I-75, then head south towards Ft Myers then follow signs to Sanibel and Captiva. The drive takes about 3.5-4 hours. There is a $6 toll on the bridge from Ft Myers to Sanibel.
To read more about Sanibel, and its pet-friendliness - click here!
Need help planning your vacation? I specialize in pet vacations and will be happy to help you with your travel plans. Click here to email me or visit my website at www.AndASmallDog.com. Subscribe to my articles to receive weekly updates on places to explore with your pet as well as travel tips and advice.
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