Hurricane Ian: Another Southwest Florida lodging landmark not returning. What we know.

Phil Fernandez, Naples Daily News
·3 min read
13

Another Southwest Florida lodging landmark battered by Hurricane Ian isn't coming back.

A mainstay for more than 70 years, Castaways Beach & Bay Cottages is "signing off," said Doug Babcock, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, known as SCBR.

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An undetermined type of retreat will eventually rise in its place at the Sanibel address of 6460 Sanibel Captiva Road, and Babcock said he's "planning a next generation of resort as our time and energy allow."

His goal: "The next great destination resort at Blind Pass — one that’ll honor the great traditions of Castaways Cottages."

The company's ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa has resumed its operations, and a goal has been to reopen its Beachview Cottages and West Wind Island Resort, with Babcock's intent to share the next steps "as soon as we can."

In the Know: Castaways survived the effects of numerous hurricanes over its 70-plus years, like Hurricane Eta here in 2020, but Hurricane Ian was no match.
In the Know: Castaways survived the effects of numerous hurricanes over its 70-plus years, like Hurricane Eta here in 2020, but Hurricane Ian was no match.

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With memories that go back to the childhood of the Rochester, New York native, Babcock said he is sad about the end of Castaways, which featured about 40 cottages and efficiencies, many disappearing with Sept. 28's Ian.

"As a boy, my parents were regular visitors to both of our islands. I clearly remember being just as excited crossing the big Causeway Bridge as I was crossing the little Blind Pass Bridge. In both cases, sunshine and swimming and all the fun of a beach vacation were just ahead, in real time and in memories," said Babcock, who joined SCBR in 2010. "The resort truly was the best of 'Old Florida' and it was easy to meet so many fans, from all over the world, who had been staying at Castaways for 10, 20, 30 or more years. That’s a lot of love."

Former guests were spreading that love after hearing of the demise of Castaways.

Sanibel Island and Captiva on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023, more than three months after Hurricane Ian devastated the islands.
Sanibel Island and Captiva on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023, more than three months after Hurricane Ian devastated the islands.

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"I drove past there a a few weeks ago and just cried," Lee County resident Nancy Buffington said. "Castaways was the first place I stayed over 40 years ago and many times since. Such wonderful memories. Being originally from Ohio, Castaways is why I moved to Cape Coral over 15 years ago. As I still go to Turner Beach frequently, it breaks my heart to not see the beloved Castaways."

"It was always a big fear that a hurricane would take away this unique paradise getaway," said former employee, Carole M. Williams. "I managed Castaways for 15 years, 1998 to 2013. These were the best times of my working life."

Other coastal hotels devastated by Ian are gone forever.

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The land for Fort Myers Beach's oldest hotel, Silver Sands Villas, has been sold to the owners of Margaritaville, which plans to expand onto the property after its initial complex is completed by the end of the year, according to its timeline.

The remains of the Beach's Carousel Inn also was purchased to make way for condos, but its DiamondHead hotel and the Lighthouse Island Inn have been among those accepting guests. Others are coming back including Captiva's South Seas resort, which plans a September return.

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Ian: A 'loved' SWFL vacation treasure of seven decades not returning