Postcard from L.G., New York, NY
Where I went: Captiva, Florida.
Why I went: We wanted take a weeklong vacation, our first trip with our four-month-old. The goal was to get out of New York, enjoy some warm weather and relax. My husband also wanted to play a little golf but didn’t care about having a world-class course. We considered a few international locations, but the idea of dealing with a health issue abroad was unsettling and we didn’t know how a long plane ride would go with a baby.
When: April 2008.
Who organized it: The experts at Indagare.
Where we stayed: We stayed in the Land’s End area of the South Seas Island Resort. If you go to South Seas, this is where you should stay. Land’s End is walking distance to everything. The other locations – with the exception of the Marina Villas – are too far away. Plus, I am pretty sure the accommodations are nicer here.
Who it’s right for/wrong for: This resort is perfect for families with kids of all ages. It’s nice but not too formal, and the food is good – not spectacular, but good enough. Also, there are plenty of activities to keep children entertained. But what really makes it an ideal family getaway is the villa accommodations. We would put the baby to bed and then enjoy dinner, hang out in the living room, etc. Each cluster of villas has its own BBQ and pool, too. Although we enjoyed spending time at the resort’s main pool during the day, we liked being close to our villa in the late afternoon. The resort would also be a great destination for extended families/friends who want to get away together. I would not recommend this resort to couples or people looking for a super-luxurious getaway.
What I’d go back for: I’d go back for a fun trip with our extended family or with friends and their children. It would probably be better for a long weekend versus spending a full week there.
What I wish I knew in advance: I wish I knew just how spread out the resort is before I got there. It’s huge. People take the trolley around, but I was glad we had a car. Fortunately, we were in a good location and didn’t need to drive much; but, if we had been in a villa far from the main pool and golf course, I would not have had the same experience.
Also, something I think is imperative: be sure to stop at Publix, the big grocery store, on your drive from Ft Myers to the resort. We were very glad we picked up groceries there, since the stores on Captiva and Sanibel do not have a great selection. There are a few local markets, yes, but they didn’t have much from which to choose. And you won’t want to drive an hour back to Publix once you’re settled into your villa. All that said, there are a few restaurants in the town but not much else going on there. (Editor’s note: speak to the concierge to have the resort stock your villa prior to arrival.)
What to skip: If we were to go back, I’d skip eating at the Pointe, the resort’s grill restaurant. It was ok, not great. We’d have rather grilled food ourselves. The food we had poolside from Harbourside was good though – perfect for poolside lunching (salads, chicken fingers, etc).
What we loved: We loved staying in a Land’s End Villa. It was perfect for our needs, and they provided everything we needed for the baby.
