Local residents also use the catering services, meeting rooms, and ballrooms for social functions and business meetings. Resorts provide all Sanibel Island hotels services plus recreational and athletic activities. In recent years, the hotel industry has experienced tremendous growth as a result of the increase in tourism in resort areas such as the Caribbean islands, the Mediterranean region, and Hawaii. With the growing popularity of winter vacations, many resorts have become year-round institutions. In cold climates skiing and other winter sports are enjoyed by vacationers.
Conventions help to assure off-season occupancy of resort properties.
The residential Sanibel Island hotel caters to permanent residents rather than to travelers. These Sanibel Island StateCode1 hotels are similar to apartment buildings except that they provide maid and valet service, and often have dining facilities. Lodgings are available on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. The location of Sanibel Island hotels has always been related to the transportation available. During colonial times Sanibel Island StateCode1 hotels were usually situated in seaport towns, but by the end of the 18th century, when the stagecoach had increased travel within the U.S., many inns and taverns were constructed to offer lodgings along highway routes.