Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Set along the Gulf of Mexico, this upscale boutique adults-only beachfront motel on Sanibel Island is 2.5 miles from the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Refined rooms and suites feature private balconies with Gulf views, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screens and fully equipped kitchens. The 1-bedroom suites have separate living rooms and sleeping quarters. Amenities include continental breakfast, loaner bikes, and beach umbrellas and chairs. There's also a beachfront deck, and a lush garden with umbrella-shaded tables, plus BBQs.
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Overall a very good experience and certainly intend to return as quickly as possible. The location is unbeatable and the peace and quiet away from crowds and commercial trappings is priceless. Stayed in 8A… accommodation is no frills but clean and serviceable. The welcome basket of goodies is a nice touch but other than the fruit it is all very low quality prepackaged processed food that is not healthy. Strongly recommend an upgrade to this detail even before the upcoming renovations. Decor is very dated and in serious need of revamping which I believe is forthcoming. Hoping the rates remain reasonable after the upgrade so I can become a repeat customer many times over. As a solo traveler, the future switch to adults only at this property is welcome but I can see how families may be disappointed. Possible compromise to include children 12 and up for example? Hard to please everyone for sure… Also suggest an upgrade to Wi-Fi that is basically non-existent. Cell coverage was only one bar for me at the cottage so I had no Wi-Fi or cell to speak of. While on the positive side this may force us to really disconnect, there are matters that need to be addressed at least a couple of times a day when one is self employed. In summary, despite the minor inconveniences I had a wonderful time and will always aim to book there in future travel to the island. Highly recommend.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Charlene Taubert, General Manager at Blue Dolphin
Responded 24 Sept 2022
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent stay at the Blue Dolphin + that you intend to return as quickly as possible! Thanks for sharing the wonderful time you had at our secluded beachfront location! You'll be happy to hear that we just put a major upgrade to our property WiFi in place - and there should be no issues in that department moving forward. You are correct, we are in the early part of a 2 phase renovation of the property. Our end goal is to make good on our promise to deliver an authentic Sanibel getaway experience where you’ll discover the best of “Old Florida” with all of the modern comforts and conveniences (plus a few beachfront-chic luxury additions). Returning visitors are already noticing that we have already started making some changes on the property. New paint has started going up. A new website. New reservation software. An increased attention-to-detail emphasis on cleanliness and housekeeping protocols (including deep cleans of all rooms), plus we now offer room housekeeping refreshes (upon request). A bicycle maintenance program. An initial tidying up of the landscaping. Fixing several property features which were in need of immediate care. Plus the addition of our new patio loungers, new beach umbrellas, and new beach towels. There are many more exciting (and exceedingly positive) changes beginning to be put into place over the next few weeks - including a total replacement and redesign of all interior design elements in the guest rooms and suites. This will include all of the furnishings, linens, beds, supplies, and kitchen equipment in each of our units. Anyone who is interested in reading more about the timeline of our renovation projects can visit the "News' section on our official website.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
First visited here probably 30 years ago while there was still linoleum on the tables, vinyl on the floor and red tide in the gulf. The most recent previous owners (we understand there are new owners as of last November) apparently fixed the place up real nice. Very casual and quiet with only 10 rooms and a beach front location. A canopied porch afronts the beach with beach chairs and umbrellas for our use, just put them back where you found them. Our one bedroom unit was clean, even creases in the sheets in place of wadded up wrinkles in most establishments. Nice towels, and the place is clean. Couple of minor issues when we were checked in to the wrong unit initially, quickly resolve when we brought it to the manager's attention. Unfortunately, a couple of minor maintenance issues were never resolved.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blue Dolphin has just changed hands, and I sincerely hope the new owners don't change it very much, or raise the prices too much either! But if they can greatly improve the WiFi, that would be good.
My husband and I have been coming here every December since 2011. We actually came here twice this year, once in the spring and again in December, both times for a three-week stay. Delightful.
If you like a very quiet, pretty place to relax in, a tropical garden on a gorgeous stretch of beach, then this is the place for you. It is simple but it has everything you need, and more. All but one unit have a fabulous fully-equipped kitchenette.
The staff are all three of them very nice, very kind and helpful.
So as I said, I just hope the new owners don't do anything to disturb the magic here.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Family oriented no more Review of Blue Dolphin Reviewed 4 days ago I just learned this wonderful place; will no longer be a family destination. I am sure not many know, as I only just received this with our recent booking. This breaks my heart and I am deeply discontented by this. Come 2023, this will be a 21 and over only getaway. What a massive and major shame. I would never give this resort a 1 rating under normal circumstances but this change is wrong. I can only wonder if the previous owner Gerry knew this would come of his treasured work. What a shame.
I have spoken to the current office manager and as I said in my initial review, would never give this location a bad rating under normal circumstances so do not want to mislead my overall love and satisfaction of The Blue Dolphin. I have learned that the new owners did not have my correct email address to share updates with me prior to this interaction either.
I will come back to the Blue Dolphin with an open mind but will plan on coming to visit when I do have our kids with us!!!!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been staying at this lovely place over thirty years. The cottages are clean, staff are friendly and efficient and the location right on the Gulf is excellent. Walk right out your door and swim, shell and sun. It is convenient to restaurants and shops but removed enough to keep you out of the busy fray of people staying in the high-rises and large resorts. The Blue Dolphin Cottages are a lovely reminder of old Florida, but with all the modern conveniences. We couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on Sanibel Island.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Charlene Taubert, General Manager at Blue Dolphin
Responded 24 Sept 2022
We absolutely agree: The Blue Dolphin IS "the place to really relax"! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review of your recent Blue Dolphin experience! We are very happy to hear that you couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on Sanibel Island! We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the Island!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've been coming to the Blue Dolphin Cottages since the late 90's. Once I discovered it there was no where else on Sanibel that I would even consider.
Ownership/Management has changed but YOU are always their first concern for a fabulous stay.
Charlene is awesome!!! The beach is awesome!! The atmosphere is truly one of a private retreat!!
I heartily recommend this venue if you want the taste of a private island, while also within driving reach of some of the most wonderful shopping and restaurants. Off island cruises are available if you wish to explore and so so much more!!!!
Umbrellas, beach chairs and bicycles are available for use.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Charlene Taubert, General Manager at Blue Dolphin
Responded 24 Sept 2022
Thank you for taking a moment to share your Blue Dolphin experience with others who may be planning Sanibel Island getaways of their own on Tripadvisor! We appreciate that you have been such a loyal guest of this property over the years and it makes us smile to know that the Blue Dolphin is your first and only choice for lodging on Sanibel! We couldn't agree more as regards the "private island" feel of our secluded beachfront setting. Thanks for the kind words! We look forward to seeing you on a future stay!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have stayed here many times, like most of the guests that find this little gem. It is simple and kept wonderfully clean by Natasha, she puts love and attention to detail in every unit. Not an easy job as the place is old and in need of major upkeep. But Ed, Cornelia and Natasha run this place with such love it translates in your stay. Knowing there are new owners that plan remodeling, we hope they keep the feel of the place that draws us all to it and the beautiful staff that make the stay so special. Thanks to them all!!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been coming here for 30 years….NEVER disappointed. Yes there are new owners and upgrades are being made. Charlene is as sweet and adorable as she sounds over the phone. For the past 30 years it has been like revisiting family, we have a wonderful new member. The charm and warmth of this place is amazing it’s only a few steps from your front door to the beach…chairs umbrellas and beach towels provided. Rooms are clean and comfortable quiet and very relaxing….go for a bike ride [bikes are available) in the morning , beach in the afternoon, BEAUTIFUL sunsets in the evening…and yes lots of shells. Can’t wait to return
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Met her there as she was cleaning and I have never met a more lovely person. She did a fantastic job and was ever so kind and helpful. Love this place because of where it is and how well it is kept clean. Best place on sanibel.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No results found. • Try changing or clearing your search to read questions and answers.
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Sanibel Island area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
blue dolphin cottages hotel sanibel island, blue dolphin sanibel island, blue dolphin hotel sanibel island
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Blue Dolphin Cottages
LOCATION
United StatesFloridaSouthwest Gulf CoastSanibel Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
BLUE DOLPHIN - Reviews (Sanibel Island, FL) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Dolphin
Which popular attractions are close to Blue Dolphin?
Nearby attractions include Sanibel Island Farmer's Market (5.1 km), Bailey's General Store (4.6 km), and Sanibel Historical Museum and Village (5.0 km).
