How we review
Hotel scoring rubric
| Criterion | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Location & beach access | 25% | Distance to sand, walkability, traffic on and off the island, parking reality. |
| Rooms & condition | 20% | Age of the last renovation, soundproofing, balcony views, actual square footage. |
| Value for the rate | 20% | Nightly rate against comparable properties, plus resort fees and parking charges. |
| Pools, dining & amenities | 15% | Pool count and shade, on-site food quality and price, watersports, kids programming. |
| Service & consistency | 10% | Check-in speed, housekeeping standards, complaint handling across recent guest reports. |
| Storm recovery & upkeep | 10% | Post-hurricane rebuild status — critical on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. |
Beach ranking criteria
Sand & water quality
Sand texture, shore slope, seaweed and red tide history over the last three seasons.
Parking & access
Spaces, hourly cost, how early lots fill in peak season, ADA and boardwalk access.
Facilities
Restrooms, showers, shade, lifeguards, food within walking distance.
Crowding
Observed density at 10am and 4pm in high and shoulder season.
Best-for fit
Shelling, families, sunsets, swimming, or solitude — every beach is ranked for a use case, not overall.
We deliberately avoid a single "best beach" verdict. Bowman's Beach wins for shelling and quiet; Lovers Key wins for wildlife; Fort Myers Beach wins for walkable food and nightlife. Each page names the traveller it suits.
What disqualifies a recommendation
- Ongoing structural storm damage affecting guest areas.
- Undisclosed mandatory fees that materially change the nightly rate.
- A pattern of unresolved safety or cleanliness reports.
- Any attempt to pay for placement.
Frequently asked questions
Do you stay at the hotels you review?
Where possible, yes — our writers stay or tour on site. When a stay is not possible we say so on the page and base the review on an on-site visit plus verified guest reporting, and we never present second-hand information as first-hand experience.
Do hotels pay to be reviewed?
No. Hotels cannot pay for a review, a score, or a position in a ranking. We pay our own way, and any complimentary stay is disclosed on the page and does not affect the score.
How often are reviews updated?
Hotel and beach reviews are re-checked at least once a year, and immediately after a major hurricane, closure, renovation, or ownership change on the Gulf Coast.