Country Inn and Suites "Sanibel Gateway" Opens to the Public

15101 Shell Point Boulevard - Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 466-1131 - 1-800-780-1131 - www.shellpoint.org

Contact: Country Inn and Suites, Pat Johnson, GM (239) 454-9292
Lynn Schneider, Director of PR (239) 454-2207

Country Inn and Suites "Sanibel Gateway" Opens to the Public
Lee County's Newest Accommodations Choice Right Here at Shell Point

FORT MYERS, FL - The new Country Inn and Suites "Sanibel Gateway" hotel recently completed at the entrance to Shell Point Retirement Community is now open to the public! Located at 13901 Shell Point Plaza, the corner of Shell Point Boulevard and Summerlin Road, the new four-story hotel is just 1.6 miles from the Sanibel Causeway. Featuring 112 rooms (30 percent of them suites), conference rooms, heated swimming pool and exercise facilities, the hotel will provide high-quality accommodations to Shell Point visitors and guests, as well as tourists and other travelers in southwest Florida.

Just in time for the holidays, the hotel is now accepting reservations locally by calling (239) 454-9292. Reservations will also be taken at 1-800-456-4000 (be sure to mention our location, "Sanibel Gateway.") You can also click here to reserve a room online.

(left to right) First ever guest Paul Hardin from Sarasota receives a gift basket from director of sales Theresa Chastonay, general manager Pat Johnson, and desk clerk Ellen Pollock. Remarking on his historic night, Paul said, "It was fabulous. The location was perfect, the room was great, and I slept like a baby!"

"It's a gorgeous facility," said Pat Johnson, hotel manager. "The feeling of country charm and comfort will set our accommodations apart from other hotels - we hope people will find it to be a friendly place where they can enjoy a convenient location near both beaches at exceptional value prices."

The beautifully appointed rooms feature a warm combination of dark greens and maroons, wrapping you in a homey feeling that includes special little touches like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, available 24 hours a day the reception desk! Each morning at the continental breakfast, you'll find a complimentary breakfast buffet that includes danish and coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, juices and specialty bread items.

The hotel features an exercise room with treadmill, bikes and step machine, outdoor pool, and convenience store, which will carry basic sundries and snacks - and even some frozen dinners for those guests staying in one of the three "extended stay" suites, which feature small kitchenettes. Although 30 percent of the hotel accommodations are suites, all the rooms feature hair dryers, coffee makers, an iron and ironing board, voice messaging and computer data ports. A few smoking rooms will be available and pets will be allowed, with a fee. Several meeting rooms will offer meeting space for up to 70 people.

"Country Inns and Suites is a successful company in the hospitality industry and will be a good partner for Shell Point," said Bob Southern, Shell Point's director of project development. The chain is part of the Carlson Hospitality Worldwide organization, which also includes such brand names as Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels Worldwide, and T.G.I. Friday's.

The new Country Inn and Suites is just part of the overall expansion underway at Shell Point. The expansion includes the addition of a championship golf course, luxurious residences with lifecare coverage, several restaurants, a fitness center, swimming pool, computer lab and much more. By 2010, the community will house approximately 4,000 residents and employ 2,000 staff.

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This story Copyright 2005 Shell Point Retirement Community. Media: for news inquiries, permission to use stories, artwork, photographs, and other information, please contact Public Relations Director Lynn Schneider at (239) 454-2207.

Shell Point Retirement Community
15101 Shell Point Blvd. - Fort Myers, Florida 33908
(239) 466-1131 - 1-800-780-1131 - www.shellpoint.org