
South Seas
Best for beach-centered family vacations, multi-bedroom villas, and on-site water activities.
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South Seas is a 330-acre Captiva Island beach resort with 2.5 miles of private Gulf beachfront, aimed at families and multi-night leisure stays. Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers Gulf Coast is an IHG-branded, full-service hotel near Gulf Coast Town Center that suits business and airport-area travelers; read this if you’re choosing between an island beach resort and a recognizable branded downtown/suburban hotel.
Updated · about 39 miles apart

Best for beach-centered family vacations, multi-bedroom villas, and on-site water activities.

Best for conference groups, quick airport access, and travelers who prefer a recognizable hotel brand.
When South Seas wins: pick South Seas if your priority is being on a private Gulf-front beach, having multiple pools and family programming (Camp-tiva), or staying in multi-bedroom villas and cottages for group or family stays.
When Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers Gulf Coast wins: pick Crowne Plaza for meetings/conference needs (about 7,000 sq ft/9 meeting rooms listed), easy access to Southwest Florida International Airport via the complimentary shuttle, and a dependable full-service brand experience close to shopping and university attractions.
Bottom line: South Seas is a destination resort on Captiva for a beach-first, activity-rich stay; Crowne Plaza is a practical, well-rated IHG property serving Fort Myers area business and transit-oriented travelers.
| Category | South Seas | Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers Gulf Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Island resort focused on beach, pools and family activities | Branded, full-service suburban hotel with meeting facilities |
| Location | Captiva Island — private Gulf-front beach; island access (boat/ferry or causeway from mainland) | Fort Myers (Miromar Lakes), near Gulf Coast Town Center and a short shuttle from RSW airport |
| Size | 330 acres, 2.5 miles of private beach | 169 rooms (hotel listing) |
| Who it's for / ages | All ages — family resort with kids' club and adults-only pool area | All ages — standard hotel audience (not adults-only) |
| Pools & water | Six outdoor pools, waterslide, adults-only pool area and beach access | 1 outdoor pool and 1 hot tub; no private beachfront listed |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Harborside, Redfish Grill, Beach House, Flippers, Tarpon Bar, Starbucks, Provisions) | Oasis Restaurant and Bar plus a poolside bar and one on-site restaurant |
| Spa & fitness | Kay Casperson Spa (massage, facials, mani/pedi, sauna) and a fitness center | Not published |
| Meetings & events | Multiple wedding and event venues, indoor ballroom and large outdoor lawns; meeting rooms reported across the resort | Conference space ~7,000 sq ft and 9 meeting rooms for corporate events |
| Airport access | Southwest Florida Intl. Airport (RSW) about 39 miles away; island transfer required for final leg | Complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle to Southwest Florida Intl. Airport (RSW) |
| Parking & transport | Self-parking included in mandatory resort fee; resort trolley and on-site marina for water activities | Free self parking, free airport transportation and complimentary shopping-center shuttle |
South Seas sits on Captiva Island with private Gulf-front beach and a marina; access includes the mainland causeway and island roads.
Choose South Seas for a true island/beach setting and water-based excursions.
Crowne Plaza is in Fort Myers’ Miromar Lakes area, convenient for RSW airport, shopping and university/arena destinations.
Choose Crowne Plaza if you want easy airport access and proximity to Fort Myers amenities.
South Seas offers a wide variety of villas, cottages and multi-bedroom homes suitable for families and groups.
South Seas is a better fit for families or groups who need multiple bedrooms and on-site living space.
Crowne Plaza provides standard hotel room types in a branded hotel format.
Crowne Plaza is a straightforward choice if you prefer standard hotel rooms and easy booking with an IHG flag.
South Seas has multiple on-site restaurants and casual outlets across the resort.
Expect a wide range of dining styles on property — from casual to refined — without leaving the resort.
Crowne Plaza lists a single main restaurant plus a poolside bar on-site.
Crowne is convenient for simple on-site dining and quick access to nearby mainland restaurants and shopping.
South Seas’ signature amenity is its private beach and a network of pools and water activities.
If beach time and varied water amenities matter, South Seas is the primary choice.
Crowne Plaza has standard hotel recreational amenities focused on an outdoor pool and fitness center.
Crowne Plaza offers basic pool and fitness facilities but is not a beach resort.
South Seas combines a full-service spa with family activities and island nightlife options.
South Seas suits guests looking for spa treatments plus family programming and island evenings.
Crowne Plaza emphasizes business amenities and meeting spaces over a resort wellness program.
Pick Crowne Plaza for meeting support and basic fitness/pool facilities rather than resort-style spa services.

South Seas — private Gulf-front beach and 2.5 miles of shoreline for beach walking and shelling.

Crowne Plaza — about 7,000 sq ft of conference space and 9 meeting rooms suited to corporate groups.

South Seas — 1–6 bedroom villas, cottages and homes plus kids' club and multiple family pools.

Crowne Plaza — complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle to Southwest Florida Intl. Airport (RSW).
South Seas — it has Camp-tiva (kids' club), six pools including family areas and multi-bedroom villas suitable for families.
No — the Crowne Plaza listing does not show private beachfront; it lists one outdoor pool and a hot tub instead.
South Seas is about 39 miles from Southwest Florida Intl. Airport and requires the final island approach; Crowne Plaza offers a complimentary airport shuttle, while South Seas does not operate an airport shuttle.
Not published — the supplied Crowne Plaza listing does not publish a full-service spa.
Explore how South Seas stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·