Casa Ybel Resort is an award-winning destination resort that maintains the essence of Sanibel's vintage sanctuary island spirit. Embraced by 23 well-manicured acres of beachfront property, the resort provides a taste of genuine island peace and exclusivity. Casa Ybel Resort's roots go back to the mid 1880's, when Reverend George Barnes built Sanibel's first cottage after his boat ran aground on the island's shore. He created Sanibel's first inn, and when his daughter was betrothed to a resort guest, he decided to build her a grand manor on the inn's property. He named it Thistle Lodge, and celebrities and dignitaries soon were drawn by its elegance and serenity; guests such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford visited to escape mainland pressures.

Today, Casa Ybel Resort continues to delight guests with its tropical grandeur overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, its gourmet dining at Thistle Lodge, and its meticulously maintained all-suite accommodations. The resort has been named one of the "Best Places To Stay In The World" by prestigious Condé Nast Traveler, and selected as one of Travel + Leisure's "500 Greatest Hotels in the World. Guests will find themselves in the island's most romantic, elegant place to completely unwind, among thoughtful amenities and caring service.