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Ask most planners about Southwest Florida, and they’ll mention the sunsets and the beaches. But Greater Fort Myers has so much more to offer. Its footprint stretches west from Boca Grande to Bonita Springs and Estero, with each neighborhood and island sporting its own personality. What surprised us most wasn’t any single property or venue, but the variety found in the destination and how well it can accommodate events of all sizes.
The Westin Cape Coral features plenty of water views. Photograph courtesy of the property1. The variety of hotel and resort experiences
We loved the range of hotel and resort settings that can accommodate all kinds of gatherings. There’s the white sand, with the 190-room Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island touting renovated condo-style rooms, while down the coast in Captiva, the South Seas beckons, with 279 rooms on a secluded 330-acre retreat and wildlife preserve. The 308-room Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village is an elegant escape with sweeping marina and water views, and the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point impresses with its 462 rooms, the nearby Saltleaf Golf Preserve, newly renovated event space, and a private island just a 15-minute ferry ride away. TLDR: There’s something for everyone.
Grab some dessert at the Love Boat Creamery. Photograph by Melissa Puppo2. The energy flowing through downtown Fort Myers
Sometimes smaller destinations get a bad rep during low season, but that’s not a problem in historic downtown Fort Myers. We were impressed by how active it felt on a weekday afternoon in late spring, with loads of people dining outside at local restaurants or grabbing a scoop of ice cream at the locals’ favorite Love Boat creamery. The area is safe, clean and appealing for attendees looking to dine, shop or stretch their legs between sessions.
Tuck in at the industrial-chic Luminary hotel. Photograph courtesy of the hotel.3. The Luminary is not your typical meetings headquarters
The Luminary Hotel & Co., an Autograph Collection property from Marriott, stands out as both a boutique hotel, and a flexible, 243-room anchor property in downtown Fort Myers. In a lively river district, the hotel features a rooftop bar, two signature restaurants and several curated retail sections. The industrial-chic suites showcase the region's pioneering past. Plus, the Luminary manages and caters the connecting 37,000-square-foot Caloosa Sound Convention Center. Just outside is an amphitheater and numerous waterfront event areas that help create flexibility for groups.
The Robert Rauschenberg gallery soon will be available for events at South Seas. Photograph by Melissa Puppo4. An abundance of nontraditional venues
We loved viewing the many spaces that could host memorable events outside of a traditional ballroom. For instance, the Luminary features the Workshop, a state-of-the-art culinary theatre that’s flexible enough for hands-on cooking classes or creative team sessions (and everything in between). Coming soon is a massive new space at the South Seas that once served as the home and studio of 20th-century artist Robert Rauschenberg. When renovations are complete, groups will be able to use the blank-canvas studio for receptions and special events.
(From left to right) Planner Tracie Person and writer Melissa Puppo visit the Edison and Ford Winter Estates with Erin Lester of Visit Fort Myers. Photograph courtesy of Melissa Puppo5. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers a true sense of place
Few attractions capture the character of the Greater Fort Myers area like the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, celebrating Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. It’s easy to get lost combing through history and beauty at every turn, from enjoying the shade of a grand banyan tree to walking through Edison's laboratory. Aside from the impeccably restored historic homes and inspiring Ford Museum, the property creates a distinctive off-site experience or event setting that feels uniquely tied to Southwest Florida.