After trying several places to stay without making reservations we finally found a time share unit at Lighthouse Resort & Club. Sue at the desk was wonderful. We were fortunate to be able to rent unit 202 with a fabulous Bay view. The unit was eceptional in taste and very clean. We plan on returning in the future and will recommend this resort to our friends. We cannot wait until we are able to return for a longer stay.

J.Higgins

Sorry to read about people's stay 6/8/10. Just saw their experience.
We have been renting from a friend who own 3 wks in March for the past 5 yrs & have not had any bad experiences. They spray routinely for bugs-a must in Florida. Never had any problems.
Each yr most of the units are in the process of being upgraded. A gradual process, but it is being done. This yr the unit we stayed in-2nd floor end unit-the bathrooms were upgrades with granite sinks, new ligth fixtures & vanities. Furniture was in fine condition. Also installed '10 new AC unit. New carpet was installed the yr before. The yr before that, all new ceramic in kitchen,hall,laundry & bathrooms.
The departure methods are the same for all. Start the towels(you get laundry soap from office). Start dishwasher,if needed. Cleaning service comes in to thououghly clean unit before next guest arrive changing sheets,emptying dishwasher & drying the towels, restocking, etc. All you need is your food!!!!
The pool & jacuzzi very nice. A clean restroom by the pool saves you from having to run your self or little one's to your unit. Nice shuffleboard, tennis courts. Fishing pier just a few minutes walk, along withe free bikes to use. A must to visit on the island is the J.Ding Darling Nature Preserve-for all ages.Try Traders Restaurant-upscale but excellent food.
We have already made our reservation for next March 2011. Looking forward to it.
Albany NY area

First, go and try this resort. the management is assessible, responsive and firendly. The units are almost 2000 square feet. It is worth being 3-4 minutes walk to beach to have massive unit with space for everyone. I loved the 3 separate sleeping areas, not counting the living room. There was a large dining area. Plus a screened porch off the den/3rd bedroom with a dining set. There were 2 large balconies. They are staggered so each gets a view.
The lagoon is small, but the bay is gorgeous. Some units directly face the bay (nice). Others view lagoon or bay, bay is best. But all the views are fine. It is nice, not upscale. But casual and user firendly. The rooms in unit are large and washer/dryer area-big in unit. Nice big beach towels to use, in the unit.
The bedrooms are good. The baths are fine. The living room is big, The den is nice to have. The kitchen is well outfitted and has eat in table for 4 PLUS you have the dining room . The bikes are on the honor system and there are enough for everyone. Biking on Sanibel is a must. It is fun and locals are courteous to bikes. Our kids are small and they had bikes for them. You can walk to the lighthouse and pier. Nice walk, but wear some repellent at dusk. The beach is lovely and not very busy. The unit provides some chairs or you take your own. A rolling cart is helpful (you can get one at Ace hardware or baileys. Go to Sanibel and feel good abt staying here. We are hilton Grand members, but loved staying here.
A little less luxury but size is the selling feature, along with GREAT location. You do cross beach through another of their properties, it is no big walk and is mostly paved, boardwalk.
Not much traffic cause Periwinkle ends just up the road. Meet more bikers than cars.
Also they have tennis and rackets and balls for use. Need some tennis shoes to play.
It is slow motion around Sanibel, it is truly island time.

We traded our time share for this place expecting the Premier Gold standard assigned to it. We did not get that. This place was dirty, had ants and cockroaches, found soiled linens from closet (blood and other body fluids), broken beach umbrella. They also had no staff on site for our first couple days due to being a holiday weekend. However we were asked to start a load of laundry for our towels and to dump our garbage (sorted for recycle) upon checkout. The locks on door hard to use and felt to be not as secure as keycards. The furniture lumpy and well worn and stained as well as carpet. The view of a hedge disappointing. The air conditioning was not effective--freezing in kitchen and living room, stuffy in bedroom--also very loud. I would not recommend this place to anyone other than those looking for a campsite. Definitely not for anyone concerned with cleanliness or friendly service. I did not rest easy at night or feel safe leaving any valuables in unit while not there.