The Best Hotels to Book in Fort Myers for Every Traveler

In the downtown River District, the Hotel Indigo is a Georgian-style property close to bustling shopping venues and the Southwest Florida Museum of History. Guests stay in bright rooms with parquet floors and wood furniture. The only boutique in the neighborhood, it plays to the city’s creative side with a vibrant mural by the rooftop pool designed by a local artist.

The original Hibiscus House was built in 1912, but was moved to its current location in 1946. Now, a stay here includes a two-course homestyle breakfast with sweet and savory dishes. A large outdoor garden, private off-street parking, and thoughtfully furnished rooms add to its homey charm. The property is on the edge of the River District and within walking distance of the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates.

The Dolphin Key Resort has a prime location, just a 15-minute drive from Fort Myers and two blocks from downtown Cape Coral – with around 20 restaurants and bars nearby. Head to the Tiki Bar and Grill beside the heated pool and courtyard for live entertainment and classic Southern American food, including homemade chili and alligator bites. There are also five docks at the hotel, allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This stylish four-star resort sits on Punta Rassa, a peninsula on San Carlos Bay. You’ll benefit from tennis clinics, three outdoor pools and a spa. You can also take a romantic dinner cruise on the resort’s private yacht, or take advantage of the private fishing pier and kids’ club. When it’s time to venture out, explore nearby natural trails, rent a bike or kayak, or go birding and dolphin watching. The stunning beaches of Sanibel and Captiva islands are also easily reached from here.

Just a short walk from the Gulf of Mexico, Lighthouse Resort Inn & Suites is in the heart of the Times Square entertainment district. The eye-catching, multi-colored exterior is in keeping with the fun nature of the resort. The poolside tiki bar is popular for nightlife, with live entertainment nightly, and one of the two heated pools also includes a 10ft (3m) waterfall. You can fish off the pier and then cook your catch on charcoal grills in picnic areas across the property.

With the hotel sitting on a quiet beach, guests at Pink Shell enjoy activities such as dolphin sunset cruises, beach yoga and stargazing. One of the three Gulf-front pools – a lagoon-style, zero-entry Octopool – comes with giant shells, underwater speakers, and waterfalls. If you’re a couple looking for romance, a four-course candle-lit dinner on the sands is a must. Want a change of scenery? Head to the nearby Bonita Springs Public Beach and Bonita Beach Park for fun in the sun.

Bring the family to this hotel on the glorious white sands of Fort Myers Beach. The day’s activities might include hunting for seashells, playing beach volleyball or looking out for the resident dolphin pods. A beachside tiki bar features daily live music and, when it all gets too much, head to your climate-controlled room for a snooze. The resort also enjoys easy access to Bowditch Point Park, Lovers Key State Park, and Sanibel and Captiva islands. Times Square and the nearby outlet malls will keep keen shoppers happy.

The name of this boutique hotel honors Mina Edison, wife of inventor Thomas Edison, who was famed for the generous hospitality she showed at her Fort Myers home. Now, this hotel – right on Fort Myers Beach – replicates her kind spirit. The design pays homage to an old Florida-style home, while guests enjoy oceanfront views from private balconies and cook in fully equipped kitchens. There’s also a beach-front freshwater pool amid the finely landscaped grounds.

Fort Myers Beach is just steps away, but there’s plenty of entertainment to be found in the Neptune Resort. There are two shuffleboard courts, two heated swimming pools and a fitness center. Alternatively, you might prefer to chill – sit on the beachfront boardwalk under the shade of the awning, before ending the day with a barbecue at the hotel picnic area.

A short walk from the ocean, Matanzas Inn is on Fort Myers Beach and perfect for both quiet vacations and action-packed adventures. For the former, there’s a spa, outdoor pool, and hot tub – for the latter, a floating dinghy dock, complimentary bikes and kayaks, and on-site fishing charters. The restaurant, Matanzas on the Bay, serves fresh seafood and nightly live entertainment.

With a marina on the Caloosahatchee River, Legacy Harbour is the ideal place to dock your vessel. One- and two-bedroom riverfront suites come with a kitchen, living area, refrigerator, cooktop stove and microwave. The hotel has a heated swimming pool and sizeable deck overlooking the marina and river. The exceptionally maintained grounds are also perfect for riverfront walks.