Port of the Islands Hotel Review
Where? Port of the Islands Hotel | The Everglades, Florida, USA
When? April 2016
Why? Spring vacation!
Special thanks to? Sunstream Hotels for inviting us and making our stay wonderful!
FIVE NIGHTS IN AN EVERGLADES COTTAGE SUITE
My husband and I wanted to try something a bit different for our most recent trip to Florida (last year we went to Orlando – read about it here and here), so we booked 5 nights at the Port of the Islands Hotel in the Everglades/Naples area. You might be thinking: “The Everglades… really?! Isn’t it just alligators and swamplands?” I know, I know. I, too, surprised myself when I agreed to the trip!
ACCOMMODATIONS
We chose to stay in a cottage, which is an adorably renovated studio apartment complete with a large king bed, tropical decor, a kitchenette, a spacious bathroom and a private patio. I’m very picky when it comes to where I stay (bless my husband’s heart for putting up with me!) and thankfully, this place exceeded our expectations! I mean… we were in the Everglades for goodness sakes!
As you can tell from the photos, everything was very well kept and up to date. The kitchenette was fully stocked with dishes, utensils, coffee, towels, even a cute little bottle of dish soap! Inside the bathroom there were plenty of towels, soaps, and shampoo/conditioner. The sleeping area was very clean and the bed was very comfortable. The french doors were stunning and added a lovely light to our cottage and our view of the courtyard was bright and cheery! They really provided us with everything we needed!
AMENITIES
The Lobby
Checking in at the front desk, it feels like you went back in time to old world Florida. Traditional Spanish tiles cover the floors and classic rattan furniture decorate the space. Isn’t that fireplace and staircase charming?
Along with the free wi-fi in the lobby, their restaurant serves complimentary breakfast every morning. They had a really good spread: waffles, pancakes, yogurt, fruit, cereal, hard boiled eggs, coffee, juice, milk, etc. Each morning we saw a mix of people grabbing breakfast: young families with babies, younger couples, older couples, and groups of middle-aged friends.
The Pool and Grounds
While the grounds of this resort were quite different than any other that we’ve been to, we still really enjoyed ourselves! The pool is gorgeous and we met guests from Germany, France, and other parts of the U.S. while swimming and sunbathing. The plants and flowers are stunning and completely showcase Florida’s tropical terrain.
Additional amenities on the grounds include: charcoal grills, chickee huts, a fitness center, a game room with pool and poker tables, and a convenience store that has fishing equipment, everyday essentials and snacks!
The Port of the Islands Marina is also just as pretty as the pool area! It was lovely taking a walk around the marina and looking at all the waterfront homes and abundant amount of ships. We even saw some alligators in the water! (Thankfully they stayed far away from the shore!)
Location / Activities
Along with the hotel amenities and marina, Port of the Islands has a few other notable activities: fishing, hiking and kayaking through the everglades AND airboat rides! The latter is one of the to-do’s that we knew we couldn’t leave the everglades without.
Corey Billie’s Airboat Rides is about a 5 minute drive from the hotel and it was definitely a great experience!! For $40/person you get a 45 minute ride through the everglades looking at wildlife, plants, and gators, of course!
Since we aren’t the most outdoorsy people, we were happy to find out that Naples, FL was only about 15-20 minutes away. We usually had lunch and dinner in Naples and walked the beach and gorgeous shopping avenues! Not to mention we enjoyed some stunning tropical sunsets!
The Verdict
Our stay was very enjoyable and lent us to be more adventurous than we normally are. While the hotel was about 15 minutes from the main city of Naples, it was a nice opportunity to get away from the bustle of the main area and get some time in a serene location. Sunstream hotels has proven their hospitality throughout our stay and we’ll be happy to stay in another resort managed by them any day!
Perfect for: Adventurers, couples, families, individuals who’d like to get away from it all
So, what do you think? Would you stay in the everglades for a change of pace? Would you go look for gators?!
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Beautiful photos!! It looks like you had an amazing time and this post definitely makes me want to visit the Everglades!
Charlene The Frugal Fashionista
This looks so incredibly beautiful & I love the colors, everything looks so saturated and bright which is my favorite xx adaatude.com
Thanks, lady! Yes – it was so bright and beautiful!! Ahh – I just love Florida! <3
this hotel is adorable!! It looks like you had a great time!
What a fun trip! It looks like you all had a fabulous time!
Yes – it was an awesome trip – nice to do something a bit different!! <3
I have to say that you did an amazing overview of life in the Port. We are one of the lucky few that live here in one of the waterfront homes that you see from the hotel and marina. We really enjoyed all the vibrant photography that was captured and you seemed to really have discovered the true beauty of Port of the Islands
What a gorgeous view you must have from your home! And the weather is just perfect! Thank you so much for your kind words! <3
How cute is this place! The communal spaces look so adorable! Looks like you had a blast and good weather!
Sportsanista
That looks so darn relaxing. Especially with that at home feeling. It must be so much easier on the wallet to have the option to cook your own meals.
I am planning on going to Florida in a few months! Pretty sure you’ve convinced me to stay here!! It looks amazing=)
-Kayla
This is in the Everglades? You’d NEVER know. I want to go!!