Sanibel Island Florida ‘Tree House’ Close to a Prime Shelling BeachThis Sanibel Island Florida Monthly Rental Is Tucked Into the Trees Near a Beach, Bike Trail and Renowned Wildlife Preserve
Lanai living in this Sanibel Island Florida vacation rental.
• “Spacious “tree house” with rustic charm in a secure neighborhood on quiet west end of the island; pristine natural surroundings You feel the difference the minute you “land” on Sanibel Island Florida. No bland big box stores or could-be-anywhere chains. No theme park hype. In fact, more than half of Sanibel Island Florida is preserved as J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge so the “characters” you’ll see kayaking the bayous or biking the five-mile Wildlife Drive are the real deal: alligators, otters, bald eagles and wading birds, including the Roseate Spoonbill. Low tide at Bowmans Beach often uncovers a smorgasbord of seashells. Up to 275 different kinds have been identified on the island, including whelks, sand dollars and conch. The pristine Sanibel Island, Florida shoreline (free of the in-shore buzz of WaveRunners) looks much the same it did to notorious pirates Blackbeard, LaFitte and Gasparilla, some of the island’s first residents. The island’s lush tropical landscape inspired inventor Thomas Edison to gather exotic plants for his Fort Myers gardens and laboratory, Anne Morrow Lindbergh to pen her reflective memoir “The Gift from the Sea”. Sanibel Island Florida, and its sister, Captiva Island to the north, do attract a crowd -- especially during the winter months. The trick to finding peace? Look beyond weekly condos. Hidden behind tropical foliage in upscale neighborhoods along the main road connecting the islands, you’ll find gems like Toucan House. The majority of private homes on Sanibel Island, Florida homes rent for a minimum of 28 days -- an option that may not have occurred to you, but might be not only be doable, but preferable.
Click here to find out more about monthly rentals.
With its cathedral ceiling and sprawling multi-level deck and two screened porches (locally referred to as lanais), Toucan House manages to feel both expansive and cozy. Inside, rustic stripes of unfinished wood mix with intense tropical colors, original art, inlaid tile and handcrafted treasures from the couple’s travels. “There’s a loft bedroom at the top of spiral stairs. A fully stocked kitchen opens off the living room. The large screened lanai with wicker furnishings runs almost the length of the house. (The loft bedroom has its own private lanai.) You’ll spend hours in these outdoor living rooms, sorting your seashells at the end of a day at the beach and listening for the call of a pair of Chuck-Will's-Widow. “They always seem to be in residence in the closest palm when we are there,” Sylvia says. Pop a movie into the DVD player, play a game or try a recipe from one of the collection of Italian cookbooks. Every detail of this charming Sanibel Island Florida retreat invites you to settle in and make yourself at home.
Perfect for Families and couples Unit Configuration 3 bedrooms (including a loft with two full-sized beds)/2 bathrooms (sleeps 6 comfortably, 8 using the pull-out queen-sized sofa in the living room. Price Like the majority of private homes on Sanibel Island, Florida, Toucan House rents for a minimum of 28 days. Click here
tips for making a monthly rental work for you.
Discounts are available for renting multiple months. (The cleaning fee is included in the rent.) Tip: The shoulder season months of December, January and April are a terrific value (ranging from $3,500 to $4,500). Most welcome! Screened lanais and the open-plan living space is safe for toddlers; older kids love the loft bedroom. The Island Cow is a great kid-friendly restaurant on Sanibel Island, Florida. Pets Pets are considered on an individual basis. Non-refundable pet fee varies according to size and breed of pet. The yard is spacious, but not fenced. Dogs must be on a leash (no more than 8 feet in length) outside the house and Sanibel Island Florida law requires that you clean up after your pet.
What it’s like to stay I won’t lie. It was unseasonably hot and humid during my late October visit -- 80 degrees by 8 a.m. The toucans looking out from the steamy jungle mural were clearly in their element. I was grateful for central air conditioning. But locals were already staking out spots on Bowmans Beach during my morning walk. (You can stroll to the beach in 10 minutes, without crossing a main road; if you drive, you’ll pay to park). Later on, I passed plenty of intrepid souls biking along the paved paths on my way into town. There are basically two main roads on Sanibel Island Florida. Sanibel-Captiva Road runs past the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature Center and The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum Periwinkle Way is studded with colorful boutiques, shops and local restaurants. Mostly I “chilled” inside. From every window, I could see trees and lush foliage. The main floor of the house is raised to second-story level, so you have the sense you’re floating in the trees. The large lanai on the main floor -- which extends to the master suite -- has a sweeping view of the backyard. The smaller lanai, off the loft bedroom, gives you a wider vista and view of the stars at night. 
This Sanibel Island Florida rental feels like a tree house. Lay of the land True to the tropics, this Sanibel Island Florida home is built on stilts, which means you’ll have to climb a flight of stairs to get to the front door. From here, the house unfolds like a tropical blossom. In the cathedral-style living room, a couch and loveseat square off in front of the woodburning fireplace and TV (hidden in a shuttered armoire). The soaring space is open to the large kitchen over a breakfast bar. Around the corner there’s a dining nook with a glass topped table for six. The modified L of the living area wraps around a screened lanai so large it’s essentially a second living/dining room. This is the heart of the house. Settled into a cushioned wicker chair under the vaulted wood paneled ceiling, surrounded by trees with a sweeping view of the lower open deck and lush green yard, you’ll feel like you’re floating. Three carpeted bedrooms -- each with its own personality -- unfold from the central living area. The master is a romantic retreat with a king-sized bed, dressing area and en-suite bathroom. It walls, the color of a ripe persimmon, are framed by crisp white molding. The room opens to the large screened lanai. At the top of the spiral stairs, a large loft bedroom with two double beds and its own private screened lanai is partially open to the living room. Off the hallway behind the kitchen, the smallest bedroom is dotted with pottery and original art, including a whimsically painted footstool—a few of the treasures Sylvia and Joe have collected during their travels. It has a queen-sized bed and convenient access the home’s second full bathroom. Rustic around the edges, elegant in places and full of whimsy, this Sanibel, Island, Florida home manages to feel spacious and cozy. Natural materials -- warm wood, rattan and wrought iron -- mix with vibrant tropical colors and custom inlaid tile. Namesake toucans perch in unexpected spots. The invitation is evident: flop down and make yourself right at home. Select a movie from the DVD collection or scout a recipe from a library of handpicked Italian cookbooks. The kitchen is stocked with everything you need to mix a margarita or fix a feast. There are novels and games to play. The guestbook and small selection guidebooks have plenty of plenty of insider tips and ideas for off-the-beaten-path adventures.
A hundred details and personal touches invite you to settle in. “We have made every effort to provide anything you can imagine needing on a vacation,” say Sylvia and Joe.
This Sanibel Island Florida home has three bedrooms. Amenities • Central air conditioning and ceiling fans throughout the house • Spacious 1,900-square foot “tree house” with rustic cottage-style charm in a secure neighborhood on quiet west end of Sanibel Island Florida; pristine natural surroundings 
This Sanibel Island Florida home invites you to stay in. What’s not perfect • 28 day minimum vacation rental (Before you write off renting for a month click
here
to find out how it might be not only doable, but preferable to renting a week.) Sanibel Holidays (the rental property manager on Sanibel Island Florida) is on call 24/7.
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More about Map Search Toucan House: Owner’s Favorites Jerry’s Foods We love having breakfast in the sunlit cafe at Jerry's Foods grocery store. The menu is diverse, you can watch beautiful tropical birds in their cages surrounded by lush landscaping while you eat -- and you can eat in your bathing suit and a cover-up. A walk in the neighborhood We are big walkers and we love the area behind the Sanctuary (an upscale residential golf course neighborhood near Toucan House) where “old” Sanibel Island Florida still exists. Here, older homes on larger lots provide a charming retro view of the way the island used to be. Back to the top of Sanibel Island Florida ‘Tree House’
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