looking to stay in Ft Myers in early march ( warmer than clearwater?)

where to stay? any recommendations

family of 4. kids 11 and 8 yrs old
would like a condo. but larger hotel resort good too
would like a pool
on the water
close to things

is ft myers beach nicer sand than the sanibel and captiva islands?
pros and cons of each location

thanks

Ramb

Ft Myers beach is fun and happening. A little rough around the edges but neat in the way that it is one of the last little beach towns left that did not get destroyed by the real estate boom.
Diamond head Resort is a nice place on the beach there to stay.

Captiva and Sanibel are nice but you are kinda kept on the island than with traffic and such not that the traffic on Ft Myers beach is any better.

I live in Bonita Springs and drive out to Captiva to South Seas Resort on a weekly basis and frakly i dont see the attraction to Sanibel and Captiva. The NoSeeUms out there have been ungodly awful for the last year and put a real dampner on enjoying your stay there.

Ft Myers beach just looks and feels like fun .Lots of waterside restaurants and bars and beautiful sunsets. The sand on the beach is by far the nicest in Florida,

If you have any more ? Let me know.

Sanibel has all your looking for, stayed there a few times, nice place!

..

Yep Diamond Head for the resort , pool , close to all the stuff.

Terry Sobo's house

Checkout Sanibel Harbor Resort it is right by the Sanibel bridge and right on the river with a view of Sanibel Island. I sit at the outside bar and watch all the boat go by. It also next to the Sanibel Harbor boat storage. Lots of goes fast boat rack in there.

Pink Shell - great pool - easy to get on/off island, not a bad walk to the pier, 1 & 2+ br condos, beach water is ok, close to the river entrance.

Gotta agree w Tommy- Ft Myers Beach would be my choice- it has a great 'beachy' atmosphere with lots of attractions within easy reach.

Sanibel Harbor Resort is a first class resort but it is MILES from anything else, not much of a beach, and only a pool for the kids. They would be bored silly.

Same for Captiva- it's a beautiful place, nature-wise, but not much to do except ride bikes or hang on the beach... and as was noted- those friggin noseeums are hell.

Here's a shot of FMB from the pier, three days after Xmas last year. That flotilla is anchored in front of the Lani Kai. The gulf is usually (350 days/yr ) so calm you can anchor and walk up to the beach bar for refreshments.

Pink Shell is very nice, would be my choice if I didnt live in Ft Myers.