
South Seas
Best for beach-focused family vacations, multi-bedroom villas, and on-site marina/boat activities.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
South Seas is a large, family-oriented Captiva Island resort centered on private Gulf beaches, pools, a marina and on-site activities. DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops is a Hilton-branded, full-service hotel in Fort Myers for travelers who want a city-side stay near shopping and RSW airport.
Updated

Best for beach-focused family vacations, multi-bedroom villas, and on-site marina/boat activities.

Best for travelers wanting a reliable Hilton full-service hotel near Bell Tower Shops and quick access to Fort Myers services and RSW airport.
When South Seas wins: choose South Seas if you want direct Gulf-front beach access, multiple pools and water- and marina-based activities plus a range of multi-bedroom villas and cottages for families or groups.
When DoubleTree wins: pick DoubleTree if you prefer a standard full-service hotel experience in the Fort Myers area with one on-site pool, ballroom and easy access to Bell Tower Shops and nearby mainland services.
Bottom line: South Seas is the stay-if-you-want-an-island beach resort with family programming and lots of on-property amenities; DoubleTree suits travelers who need a convenient, chain-branded hotel on the Fort Myers side of the region.
| Category | South Seas | Doubletree |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large island resort with family programming, villas, cottages and marina activities. | Hilton-branded full-service suburban hotel serving travelers to Fort Myers. |
| Location | Captiva Island — private Gulf-front beach; reached via the island access route (boat/ferry or by road across the causeway to Sanibel/Captiva). | Fort Myers (Villas) — adjacent to Bell Tower Shops and local mainland amenities. |
| Size / rooms | Multiple accommodation types (26 unit types listed: villas, cottages and multi-bedroom homes). | 224 air-conditioned rooms. |
| Audience / age policy | All ages — family-focused with kids' club (Camp‑tiva) and an adults-only pool area. | All ages — not adults-only; standard hotel policies apply (minimum check-in age 21 at DoubleTree property). |
| Pools & water access | Six outdoor pools, waterslide, family pool areas plus a separate adults-only pool and 2.5 miles of private Gulf beach with beach loungers. | One outdoor pool plus pool sun loungers; no private Gulf beach listed. |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site restaurants and bars (Harborside steakhouse, Redfish Grill, Beach House, Flippers, Tarpon Bar, Starbucks, Provisions). Dining access limitations apply to most outlets. | On-site restaurant, bar/lounge and a snack bar/deli; buffet breakfast available for a fee. |
| Spa & wellness | Kay Casperson Spa and Boutique on property with multiple treatment rooms, mani-pedi stations and sauna area. | Not published |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive event venues, including multiple outdoor beachfront and lawn sites and indoor ballrooms (capacities up to several hundred). | Meeting rooms and a ballroom; full-service hotel meeting support and on-site ballroom. |
| Accessibility & family features | Camp‑tiva kids' club, family pools and family-focused activities; mandatory resort fee covers certain inclusions. | Accessible rooms available (many mobility/hearing-access room types listed) and family-friendly room types (2 queen beds, suites). |
| Nearby transport & airport access | Nearest major airport is Southwest Florida Intl. (RSW); island location means last-leg access differs from mainland hotels. | Nearest airport: Southwest Florida Intl. (RSW) — hotel lists RSW as preferred airport (about 11 mi to airport). |
South Seas sits on 330 acres of Captiva Island with private Gulf-front beach and a marina.
South Seas is for travelers prioritizing beach, marina access and island time rather than mainland convenience.
DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops sits on Bell Tower Drive in a Fort Myers commercial/shopping area.
DoubleTree is convenient if you want easy access to Fort Myers shopping, services and airport connections.
South Seas offers a wide mix of villas, cottages and multi-bedroom homes designed for families and groups.
Choose South Seas when you need multi-bedroom space or villa-style lodging for groups or families.
DoubleTree has 224 air-conditioned hotel rooms with standard hotel conveniences.
DoubleTree offers predictable, single-unit hotel rooms and a range of accessible options for typical leisure or business stays.
South Seas runs multiple restaurants, casual outlets and on-site Starbucks and market.
South Seas gives you a range of on-site dining from casual to refined, focused on Gulf seafood and family-friendly choices.
DoubleTree offers on-site restaurant and bar/lounge service plus room service during limited hours.
DoubleTree covers the basics of hotel dining with a restaurant and bar plus grab-and-go options for convenience.
South Seas centers on beach access, six outdoor pools, a waterslide and family water attractions.
If beach, multiple pools and a family water program are your priorities, South Seas is the stronger match.
DoubleTree lists one outdoor pool and pool sun loungers among recreational amenities.
DoubleTree suits travelers who want a hotel-style pool rather than a full water-park or beachfront complex.
South Seas provides an on-site spa and daytime/early-evening resort activities; nightlife is resort- and island-focused.
South Seas has a dedicated spa and resort activities but limited late-night mainland-style nightlife.
DoubleTree lists fitness facilities and proximity to shopping and restaurants at Bell Tower Shops for evening options.
Choose DoubleTree if you value easy access to mainland shopping and dining options for evenings.

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

South Seas — many villa and cottage types, Camp‑tiva kids' programming and family pools.

DoubleTree — located next to Bell Tower Shops and listed with RSW as the preferred airport.

DoubleTree — Hilton-branded full-service hotel with meeting rooms, ballroom and typical hotel conveniences.
South Seas — it has a kids' club (Camp‑tiva), family pools, waterslide and multi-bedroom villa options geared to families.
DoubleTree lists RSW as its preferred airport and is far closer to the airport than Captiva; South Seas is island-based with RSW about 39 miles away.
South Seas has the Kay Casperson Spa and Boutique. DoubleTree's listing does not publish an on-site spa.
Most South Seas restaurants and bars are exclusive to resort guests, owners and Club Captiva members; Starbucks and Provisions are open to the public.
Explore how South Seas stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·