EXCERPTS FROM OUR GUEST BOOK
We went back to Sunset Captiva this year and stayed in a unit nearby the pool. Our interest in that unit stemmed from the fact our good friends, who live in another state, were staying there the week prior and we could overlap with them for a visit. Additionally, we were enticed by the fact it is near the pool and might obviate the need for us to accompany each child back and forth to the house every time they forgot something they felt they needed/wanted. Finally, with that proximity to the pool and beach, I thought $2500 seemed like a pretty good deal.
Well, there is no doubt that we made a mistake. The house is apparently a full time rental and lacks the charm and comfort of yours which is clearly a much loved second home. Further, you have clearly gone out of your way to make guests comfortable by providing information, supplies (our unit lacked what I would have thought would be basics from beach towels to toilet paper), and a general welcoming feeling. Additionally, it does not benefit from the good light that yours does; it's main living area really only has windows on the south side, and not even much of that light gets into the house because of the screen porch that is also on that side. This was a big issue, given that the weather drove us inside a couple of days, but even when the weather was good, it still made it a bummer to be in the house the limited times that we were. Further, the sun porch off the 3rd floor is very small and completely shaded by thick trees.
Anyway, my point isn't to bash that unit, but just to say thank you again for sharing your lovely home with us last year. As convenient as the pool was and as nice as it was to not have to move out of one unit and into another when our friends left, I would have enjoyed our trip much more if we had stayed in your unit again. It is not only a superior layout, but it is in great shape and exudes hospitality, thoughtfulness, and convenience. Thank you!
Hoping you and your family are well.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for allowing my family and I to enjoy your beautiful home at Sunset Captiva last week. I’ve been coming to Captiva for 25 years and have now found a spot to bring my own family back to year after year. We are already looking forward to next year as it is always heartbreaking to leave. We’ve already put our deposit down and are making our plans. Thank you so much for the beautiful accommodations and lovely hospitality that you provided. You have a gem and we found everything that we needed and more with the help of your welcome packet and web site. Thanks so much for everything.
Third year @ Captiva! It was great! We saw tons of birds and Manatees at Jensen’s. We saw Lucky Stiff at the community playhouse. The best restaurants were the Mucky Duck, R.C. Otters, and the Green Flash. We spent everyday at the pool or the beach. We rented bikes and rode everywhere. Orchids were beautiful and the fruit was delicious. The library was very nice and had great DVDs. On Easter we were able to go to the church down the road. Overall we had a great time and lots of fun! Thanks so much! P.S. We also went to the wildlife refuge!
We fell in love with Captiva and hope to return to your beautiful home. The weather has been almost perfect, the shelling spectacular, beach gorgeous -- a dream all around.
We’ve enjoyed the house, the place and all about for the second year in a row. We find the orchids amazing, the surf good, and your grapefruits - delicious.
My daughter, son-in-law and daughter (my granddaughter) and I had the most wonderful and relaxed time here. The open areas, bedrooms, fully stocked kitchen made staying a breeze. We will look forward to coming back next year at 40!
It’s been a total wildlife adventure -- dolphins, birds, Manatees, fish, dolphin feeding. Super relaxing, perfect weather. Thank you, thank you.
We have all had a fabulous holiday. The house - we felt right at home in and it had everything we needed. The girls loved the pool and going to the beach. Shelling was my favorite and Nigel enjoyed the fishing. A mangrove snapper was a great lunch one day. Recommendations - shell museum, wildlife reserve, dolphin cruise. We also rented a boat from Jensen’s and did our own island hopping. Cayo Costa was idyllic and quite deserted. For good food, “R.C. Otters” and the “Mad Cow,” but always did a mean BBQ! At Jensen’s, the Manatees were always around putting on a show. Thanks again. We will be recommending to friends and coming back next year.
Another great week here! Thanks so much for once again allowing us to enjoy your home! A very quiet week with few people anywhere (beach, pool, even restaurants). Just the kind of relaxation we needed together. Fishing with Capt. Jimmy Bernsed again - this time landing a beautiful, huge 100+ lb. tarpon! New finds - “Cheeburger, Cheeburger” for lunch on Sanibel and “Amy’s Over Easy Café” for breakfast as well. Visited old favorites as well -- Key Lime Bistro, Mucky Duck (though for lunch instead of dinner - just as good and just as much fun), Lazy Flamingo (best steak sandwich anywhere!), breakfast at the Island Cow, great cakes and coconut shrimp at Mermaid Kitchen and our all around favorite -- Doc Ford’s, where everything is excellent! Loved the changes to the house - beauty and function! I’d love to take the new downstairs shower home with us if it were possible and the new office space was my preferred “reading room” when inside. We’re sad to leave but already looking forward to another time we can come visit again.
It has been a great week so far. When we leave, we will miss this house, and the beach. When we left to see the wild animals, we saw an alligator. It was pretty cool.
We had a fantastic time! Captiva is now a favorite of everyone in our family and your home was the perfect home base for us. Thanks! P.S. We loved the orchids!
What a wonderful relaxing vacation we had. Loved your home and all the extras. Enjoyed the pool and beach everyday. Super relaxing - just what the Dr. ordered. We will definitely be back next year. Thanks again for everything.
This is our 12th year here in Captiva. It was awesome!! Still great, every year we came. Sunsets, beaches, dinners, sunscreen, that’s all we needed. We did banana boating which we highly recommend! Super fun! We loved the house and we will miss it! Thank you!!
What a wonderful week. Even with 2 and ½ days of overcast clouds we had a ball. Too much sun wouldn’t have been good for the babies anyway. Kitchen condiments. Comfy bed - pillows. Perfect fishing with Captain Jim -- caught a 7 lb. Sheepshead! (Among other 10 fish big enough to keep and eat. Yum!) We all love walking the beach to the end - back, toasting the sunset and doing yoga on the deck or porch. Perfect vacation!
We have had a wonderful two weeks in Captiva. The house was great and had everything we needed! The kids loved the pool while my husband loved the gulf! I was just happy to sit and read some of your great books!
A great retro beach pool with the feel of a treehouse (literally!) Relaxing, comfy, convenient and nicely appointed for a family of four including two teens. Based on your advice and others, we had a grand time despite 2 days I lost to a non “R” month oyster, won’t name the restaurant. We dined in and enjoyed: Key Lime Bistro, Bubbleroom, Island Cow (breakfast), Dolce Vita (great and pricey), Island Pizza (a fave), McT’s Shrimp House, Sanibel Bean. Best store for groceries - Jerry’s in Sanibel. Went to church Sunday at Sanibel Community Church - 9 contemporary service. Rented boat from Jensen’s (½ day) which it was a trip highlight. Shelling with wild pigs on island just across path from North Captiva was awesome. Next trip will plan full day there alone. Shelling was relaxing and interesting. Beds very comfy as is downstairs sofa for sleeping. Not really ready to leave but others need to relax and enjoy this place, I guess.
Thanks for sharing your lovely home! Great week of sun, sand, surf and relaxation! The house is well equipped and we never went missing anything we needed. Took a fishing charter with Jimmy Bernsed out of Jensen’s one morning and between the 3 of us we caught trout, snook, lady fish, red fish, catfish, Spanish mackerel and shark -- the largest of which (approx. 80 lbs.) our 14 year old fought on to the boat while another boatload of shellers watched (a true thrill for him that has been and will be his topic of choice for conversation for weeks to come!). Lots of rays and small sharks in the hip deep water this week. Some strange weather with hail one night. A truly memorable week! We’ll be back.
Most enjoyable and relaxing vacation in years! Thank you so very much for providing such a beautiful home and small details (towels, games for the children - internet- what a blessing to keep in touch with friends and family!). Hope to come back next year…thank you once again. We will recommend you to everyone I know. ***** 5 stars!!
Thank you so very much for having us in your beautiful home. Tyler learned to swim in the pool, played until he fell in the bed and cried when we started packing. We plan to come again. Thanks again for providing so much. Lots of love!
What a perfect location and house for our week of relaxation and fun. The weather was lovely every day and we enjoyed meeting our fellow vacationers and residents at the pool and during on-the-beach soccer games at sunset. Thank you for sharing your house with us! P.S. The jet skiing was a huge hit!
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