Entire home

5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach

Photo gallery for 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach

A white heron standing on a chair in a lush, green outdoor setting.
A dining area with a white table and chairs, a ceiling fan, and a view of the outdoors.
A dining area with a glass table surrounded by white wicker chairs, a white cabinet, and a green sofa.
A living room with a sofa, chairs, a cabinet, and a large window with blinds.
A marina with several boats docked, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear sky.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Sanibel Island Southern Beach

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Pet-friendly
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Sanibel, FL
  • Place, Sanibel Island Southern Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Sanibel Island Golf Club
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Periwinkle Way
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Sanibel

Located in Mid Island, a neighbourhood in Sanibel, this holiday home is near theme parks and by the sea. While the natural beauty of Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Key West Express. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, or consider a night out at Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby.
View more Holiday homes in SanibelOpens in a new window
Map
Sanibel, FL

What's nearby

  • Sanibel Island Southern Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Sanibel Island Golf Club - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Periwinkle Way - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Sanibel and Captiva Island Visitor's Center - 2 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Dunes Golf and Tennis Club - 4 min drive - 3.4 km

Getting around

  • Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jerry's Foods - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Turtles Tiki Bar - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Gramma Dot's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Lighthouse Cafe - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 5 STAR, Pet Friendly, Sunny, Private Old Florida Charm Cottage and Mins to Beach located?

Located in Mid Island, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Sanibel Island Southern Beach, Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens and Sanibel Island Golf Club. Periwinkle Way and Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 151 out of 151 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 151 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 151 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 151 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 151 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Vacation

Lovely home that is fully stocked and only a short walk to the beach! Beds were comfortable, home was very clean, and wifi worked perfectly. We really enjoyed our short stay and hope to come back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great Place - Great Owners!

We have just completed our 2nd stay in the cottage and have already booked our 3rd visit. The owners (Leslie and Jim) think of everything and have it waiting for you when you arrive. Highly recommend!
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you once again for your nice review! We look forward to your next visit. Leslie and Jim
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Happy Times!

The property was amazing. It was clean, well equipped, and extremely well maintained. We were very comfortable and happy!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Wonderful to have you stay at our cottage ... hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful

Just love this place-great location, house in great shape, wonderful responsive owners. This is my little piece of heaven!!
Stayed 44 nights in Jan 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Always a pleasure to have you stay with us! Look forward to seeing you next year. Leslie and Jim
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this Cottage!

We have been vacationing on Sanibel for 40 years and this was our best stay ever! This cottage is in the perfect location and has everything you need for a relaxing beach vacation. We spent a lot of time on the sunny back porch, where you are close enough to the water to hear the waves. Thank you Leslie and Jim for sharing this lovely place with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jan 2021
You are so welcome and so glad you are coming back
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Great place

This cottage is immaculate and completely stocked. We were only there a short time, but the kitchen has everything including spices. The place is comfortable, very clean and close to the beach. We had our dogs with us, which is also special. Jim and Leslie make vacations easy. We hope to be back.
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you for your kind review. A pleasure to meet you both. We hope to see you again! Jim and Leslie
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Very Comfortable!

The Shell Basket was very clean, very accommodating and overall a great place to stay. The beach is a short walk from the house. Leslie and Jim have thought of every amenity to make the house inviting and our vacation easy. We look forward to returning to Sanibel! Ann Diggs and Henry Rivenbark - October 2017
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us a nice review... we really do appreciate it! Do hope you will come again, you will always be welcome.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful beach cottage

This is wonderful. Everything they said is true. 2 minute walk to beach, privacy, and the pictures don't do justice to the real thing. Love it and will return!!
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for the nice review. It was great to meet you and would welcome you back anytime. So glad you enjoyed your stay at our cottage!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful vacation spot

This is our second year that we have spent the month at this lovely spot. It is a very happy cottage! The place is well stocked with essentials, condiments & spices. The owners are very responsive & eager to please. The beds & linens are great & very comfortable. The House is clean & well maintained. It is a quiet street & a short walk to the beach. The bikes only add to the fun. Just a little bit of heaven !!!
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you so much!! So glad that you have had another great vacation at our cottage! You will always be welcome at cottage. We look forward to your arrival again this year! Jim and Leslie
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!!

This was the best place we’ve ever booked. Had everything you could possibly need from Band-Aids to olive oil, beach chairs, umbrellas and bikes LOL. So clean and so quiet. I am OCD and big on clean and brought my own sheets and blanket but didn’t even use them. The owners contacted us to make sure we had everything and gave their contact info if needed. Highly recommended. ;-)
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 July 2021
Was a pleasure having you stay. You girls were all great so easy going . Thank you so much for washing the towels and leaving house so clean. You will be welcome back anytime Leslie and Jim
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful and very dog friendly!

We loved our stay here so much! Jim and Leslie have seriously thought of everything that you might need. There was plenty of towels, beach towels, linens, paper products, laundry detergent, bug spray, toiletries, spices, 2 bikes, beach chairs and umbrellas, the list goes on and on. There is also a gate to put up to enclose the patio which my dog loved! He loved the freedom of being able to roam on the patio. Several of the restaurants in the area are also dog friendly. The walk to the beach even seemed shorter than what I anticipated. Loved all of the cool shells! I would definitely like to return here one day!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Wonderful to have you all stay with us. You took great care of our cottage and we would welcome anytime! Thank you for so much for the lovely review... have a great summer Jim and Leslie
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect as Always!

This was our fourth stay at Jim and Leslie's Sunny Basket Cottage and it gets better every time. The cottage itself is bright, beautiful and amazingly comfortable. Not only is every necessity provided, but every time we visit there are new additions and upgrades added, leaving out no details. The cottage is well stocked and there are always some extra surprises such as wine, snacks and fresh fruit waiting when you arrive. You can sit and sip drinks on the back deck at sunset or ride the bikes around town. The only difficult part of the entire visit is leaving. We always wish we had stayed a few more days! Thank you Jim and Leslie for being such perfect hosts! We'll see you next year! Bob and Mary Jo
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you once again! Always a pleasure to have you guys stay at our cottage. We look forward to your return next year The best to you all Jim and Leslie
Archival

10/10 Excellent

The property was clean and well maintained. Everything worked as it should.

The cottage was very nice and clean. All the appliances and tvs were in top shape and shampoo, laundry detergent as well as insect repellent (which we did not need) and suntan oil were provided. It was a short walk to the beach through an adjoining property. The owners, Leslie and Jim, are very considerate and conscientious. They even offered to let us stay an extra day or two at no charge when hurricane Matthew was threatening on our departure day. The only other thing I wish this property offered would be a covered place to park, as our car got very hot sitting in the sun. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone staying who does not require a beach view.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for the nice review. It was a pleasure to meet you and you would be welcome back any time.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful, clean, fully stocked home

Leslie and Jim thought of everything from coffe and spices in the cabinet to beach chairs and a beach umbrella! Everything they list is there and nice items you would want to use! Kitchen fully stocked with anything you need to cook at the house. Washer and dryer were a great plus. We had a tropical storm come through on or first night and we never lost power! House is only 900 square feet but feels bigger with the open layout and two full bathrooms. We brought our three 10 lb dogs and they loved it there! There were four of us staying there, 2 adults and 2 teenagers and had plenty of room. Quick walk to the beach and short drive to restaurants and stores. Leslie and Jim are super nice and great to work with! Can't wait to come back!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a great review...we really appreciate it. You are lovely people and please come back as you will always be welcome Leslie and Jim
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great place to relax and make memories

This sweet little cottage greets you with a smile upon arrival and keeps you happy every day thereafter. The owners have created a welcoming space where every need is thoughtfully anticipated - a welcome basket of treats, well stocked kitchen, bikes, grill, beach gear, games, laundry facilities, and so much more. The location is great! The cottage is not on the beach, but it’s just a 3 minute walk to the water; no roads to cross. It’s an easy bike ride to the shops, restaurants, and grocery stores along Periwinkle. (Don’t miss the Sunday Sanibel farmers market!) We enjoyed pedaling out to the lighthouse, up to the Ding Darling Nature Preserve, and out to Bowman’s Beach. And, of course, we spent many hours on the beach - from sunrise to sunset and plenty in between. This was our second stay at the cottage and we just reserved time for next year. Each visit creates a new set of memories. We can’t wait to come back. Many thanks to the owners for sharing this peaceful retreat.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you again for another great review! Always a pleasure to have you stay at our cottage....will see you next year!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

PERFECT VACATION GETAWAY!

We've just returned from our second stay at The Sunny Shell Basket Cottage and it is truly a one of a kind vacation spot. The hosts, Jim and Leslie, are amazing people who go above and beyond to assure that their visitors have everything they could possibly need and then some. You feel extremely welcome and comfortable as soon as you walk in. First of all, the cottage is immaculately clean and bright and is only a couple of minutes walk to the beach. Unlike many other rentals, they provide plenty of toiletries, laundry soap, extra pillows, beach towels, sun screen and bicycles. The kitchen is not only fully stocked with cooking necessities, but most of the basic condiments and spices are there as well. They even left us an assortment of snacks and a beautiful bottle of wine. If you're looking for the perfect island vacation with privacy and comfort, you can't do better than The Sunny Shell Basket Cottage. We are already looking forward to our next visit! The Jeffries
Stayed 5 nights in May 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you for the lovely review. Always a pleasure to have you stay at our cottage!! We look forward to your return next year. Jim and Leslie
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautifully decorated and great location

This trip was our first time to Sanibel Island and it left a lasting impression. It was a trip with my wife, 4 year old son, mother in law, and our water loving dog. As we normally do when we travel we tried to pack up most of our own house to bring to this cottage. having a child with food allergies we always pack a huge cooler to bring with us anyway but when we arrived and finished unloading the many bags boards, bikes and chairs we brought with us, we realized 80% was basically unnecessary. The cottage was perfect. It had pretty much anything and everything you could really need for days at the beach. It was very clean, very comfortable, and plenty of room for our family and our dog. The owners were extremely warm and accommodating who we met the first night since I couldn't figure out how to get the inputs to work on the living TV. Jim and Leslie came over and fixed the TV within minutes and gave us the rundown of great shelling areas and answered all of the questions we had about the area. Everyone had a great stay and we definitely are looking forward to our next vacation at Shell Basket Lane.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cottage!

Beautiful property with all the amenities and extra touches. Very close to beautiful beach!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect little get away spot!

The house was as good as advertised, not to mention Jim and Leslie worked really hard to get the house ready after a tropical storm went through the island the night before we were to arrive. They still had it ready and we were able to check in early! Leslie checked in on us via text several times to ensure there was nothing we needed or no issue. I would rent from them again! The house is nice and a very short walk to the beach. Quiet area and well maintained.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars! We have been to Sanibel many times and have always stayed in great properties but this has spoiled us for anyplace else. Jim & Leslie provide a home that is everything they say and more. What they don't tell you is how beautifully this cottage is appointed and stocked. Furniture and linens that you would have in your own home; a kitchen that you can walk in with groceries and cook - they even provided us some refrigerator staples for our arrival! The house is clean as a whistle - wish I lived closer so Jeannie could help me.... This is just a couple minute walk from Cocina beach and this is my favorite area; I could go on and on. My only regret is telling anyone how wonderful this is - I want to make sure we can rent it again :).
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful pet friendly cottage

Leslie, Thank you so much for providing a warm, comfortable place for us to stay with our fur baby. There is a reason this cottage gets all 5 star reviews. It is clean,close to the beach, and has everything you might need. The owners have thought of everything. We hope to be able to stay here in the future. Thank you, Mike, Bari, and Niya
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Kept Secret

This is the best kept secret cottage on the island. This location is perfect - just mere minutes to the beach. Check-in was a breeze - we arrived earlier than planned and were able to check-in early. An awesome welcome basket was provided as well as milk, bread and eggs - much appreciated! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to be back next year. Thank you Jim and Leslie!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sanibel in a cottage!

Our cottage was clean and bright with all the comforts of home. We were pleasantly surprised with items for breakfast the next day as well as many other extra treats. We loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect in every way

This property is wonderful and did not disappoint in any way. It's not luxurious, but it is clean, comfortable and so well maintained. The location is perfect--easy walk to the beach--and the back porch gets sun all day long. We greatly appreciated the "welcome supplies" on our arrival, and the owners were very responsive and thoughtful. We look forward to returning!
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Better than the Ritz

This property has it all and is especially dog friendly. This house is located on a sleepy road with little traffic. We have never stayed at a VRBO property that was so well stocked. Totally enjoyable!
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2022
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