South Seas Island Resort

CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. - 2009 - Seemingly adrift off Florida's Gulf coast, South Seas Island Resort is a sprawling, village-style resort nestled among 330 acres and situated on two-and-a-half miles of shell-laden beaches lapped by turquoise tides. With a $140 million rebirth, the resort has solidified its reputation as one of America's iconic family destinations. Tucked away at the northern end of Captiva Island, South Seas Island Resort is nestled in Pine Island Sound in the Gulf of Mexico, with more than half of the resort a dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary.

Only 34 miles - yet a world away - Captiva Island is connected to Florida's mainland via Sanibel Causeway and a "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" bridge at Blind Pass joining it to neighboring Sanibel Island. The natural splendor of Captiva Island has not fallen victim to development; the island has no mailboxes, stoplights, billboards, high-rises or fast-food restaurants. In fact, no building on the island is higher than the tallest palm tree at four stories.

Named for its pillaging past when pirate Josè Gaspar held his female captives on the island, Captiva Island begins the necklace of famed barrier islands that include North Captiva, Cayo Costa, Useppa and Cabbage Key.

After completing an extensive $14 million Captiva Island-wide beach renourishment project, the beaches of South Seas Island Resort are more expansive than ever. The two-and-a-half mile stretch of shell-laden sands dotted with bright blue umbrellas is a natural playground for adults and children.

The main pool area provides guests plenty of comfortable space to lounge, splash and be pampered by pool attendants in posh cabanas. Guests indulge in personal spa services and exquisite South Seas Island Resort cuisine available throughout the day while having a television and mini-fridge option all to themselves in the cabana. The brand new slide pool, H2Whoa! offers tots and teens two huge tube slides - a corkscrew slide and a 16-foot plunge slide.

South Seas Island Resort is home to the No. 1 ranked sailing school in the country - Steve Colgate's Offshore Sailing School. One of the largest institutions of its kind, the school combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience, teaching skills from mooring and anchoring to jibe angles and headsail changes.

Duffers indulge in the newly redesigned Captiva Golf Club at South Seas Island Resort. Designed by Chip Powell as one of the "Top Five Short Courses" in the world and recently completing $4 million in upgrades, Captiva Golf Club offers guests nine holes of oceanfront golf.
Acclaimed for offering more species of fish than any other location in Florida, Pine Island Sound lures anglers with grouper, snapper, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, cobia, spotted sea trout, redfish, snook and more. Renowned as the last safe harbour on the Gulf of Mexico until the Florida Keys, the South Seas Yacht Harbour affords boaters 2,100 feet of dockage for boats up to 130 feet in length.

Resort guests explore the waters surrounding South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Cruises' excursions to Useppa Island and dolphin and sunset sightseeing cruises. Adventurous visitors explore South Seas Island Resort from above on parasailing excursions and catamaran or aqua bike rentals.

For those who would rather explore at a more relaxed pace, guests kayak the waters surrounding South Seas Island Resort through grass flats and mangrove forests or join the on-site naturalist on guided nature tours and bird walks. While sharing the nature history of the resort and pointing out more than 200 species of birds known to live on property, the naturalist helps identify roseate spoonbills and rare woodstocks. Bicycles are also available for guests to rent and enjoy during their excursions at the resort and around Captiva Island.

For couples looking for an unequalled spot to tie the knot, South Seas Island Resort provides the backdrop for the perfect tropical island wedding. With the ultimate outdoor settings that include locations on the beach or a lawn ceremony beneath swaying palms, every moment is a beautiful one when it takes place here. A stunning sunset over the Gulf of Mexico provides the picture-perfect ending to the special day. A personal wedding consultant is available to assist with the planning process.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Louis Osteen, offering more than 30 years of experience, is responsible for South Seas Island Resort culinary programs and development of dining concepts. Harbourside Bar & Grill tempts taste buds with menu offerings that epitomize the standard of quality at the resort. From Pickled Watermelon & Golden Beet Salad and Rosemary Skewered Shrimp to Gremolata Crusted Florida Grouper and Mojo Marinated Roasted Chicken, guests find only the freshest dishes in a casually elegant atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the South Seas Yacht Harbour. The Pointe restaurant overlooking the main pool offers the perfect spot for casual Caribbean fare and an upscale bar upstairs provides sweeping views of Pine Island Sound. Just around the corner from The Pointe, Scoops and Slices is perfect for a casual dinner with the kids, offering freshly baked wood-fired pizzas and ice cream sodas, floats, old-fashioned malts and milkshakes in the 1950s diner.

A limited service, outdoor restaurant featuring authentic Southern barbecue, Holy Smoke... Heavenly Barbecue is open to resort guests and the public alike with the option to take-out and enjoy in the comfort of their own resort guestroom or home. Wine Flight Up is a cozy wine bar open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. at Chadwick's Square. Guests find a variety of cheeses, olive oil sampler, charcuterie and exotic chocolates are served in a relaxing atmosphere complete with a reading library. Lighter fare is available at Sunset Beach Grill where beachgoers may lounge with island cuisine served beachside and live music resonates from 4-8 p.m. Coffee lovers can enjoy a gourmet brew at the new Starbucks Coffee® located at the entrance to the resort.

South Seas Island Resort offers a multitude of retail-therapy options at the collection of charming boutiques found at Chadwick's Square. Located at the south end of the resort, the shops include a Lilly Pulitzer VIA shop, The Beach House - a swimwear specialty store, Red Fish Pass - a unique apparel store, and Captiva Provisions Company - a gourmet market offering fine wine and cheese pairings.

At the Tiva Kids' Club, children enjoy a break from mom and dad with more of the youngest guests of the resort. Activities include teen kayaking, sandcastle building, coconut painting and beach B.I.N.G.O. Inflatable bounce houses with water slides are a new addition and keep kids cool in the Florida sun.

After a day of island activities, visitors return to spacious accommodations, all of which have recently been completely renovated, showcasing refreshed interiors that call back to classic island décor.

Nearby on Sanibel Island, guests explore J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge -- part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S. -- providing more than 600,000 acres of preserved subtropical barrier island habitat for Florida's native wetland creatures. Nature-lovers take in the scenery while enjoying biking, walking, kayaking trails and tram tours.

After a morning of exploration at the refuge, guests learn more about the habitat at Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. Housing one of the best shell collections in the western hemisphere, the museum is a learning center and visitor's complex where U.S. and international scientists analyze the many roles shells play in the environment. After learning about the various shells, resort guests can name many of the pearlescent treasures found on the beach.


South Seas Island Resort is easily accessible by air through Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers. The airport is serviced by all major U.S. and select international airlines including British Airways, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International, KLM, LTU International Airways and Paradise Island Airlines.

To capture the classic island charm of South Seas Island Resort, call (888) 2-CAPTIVA or contact your travel professional. The website address is www.southseas.com.

South Seas Island Resort is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels collection, a portfolio of independent properties distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting. LXR properties are located throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The collection also includes the renowned Golden Door Spa brand. For information and reservations, visit the Internet at www.LuxuryResorts.com or call 1-877-LXR-XOXO.

Contact:
Summer Haack / Kristen Vocelle, The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222, SHaack@zimmerman.com
Anne Hersley-Hankins, LXR Luxury Resorts
(561) 447-3370, AHersley@LuxuryResorts.com