Chamber ribbon-cuttings move islands toward season-ready
The SanCap Chamber tripled down on ribbon-cuttings related to island accommodations as Sanibel and Captiva get ready for the upcoming winter season. On Oct. 28, it celebrated openings for the Beach House at South Seas on Captiva and Alliant Association Management on Sanibel. The Kona Kai Motel cut the ribbon on Oct. 30 on Sanibel.
“It’s so exciting and rewarding to see this surge in official openings just as visitors are planning their travel to the islands for this season,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “These enhancements to our accommodations offerings bring Sanibel and Captiva back as a vital, fully realized vacation destination that past visitors eagerly anticipate returning to.”
The Beach House restaurant opened to resort guests and Captiva Club members in early October. One of several dining options on the property, it seats 240 and serves lunch and dinner daily, along with a dessert and nightcap menu.
“Perfectly positioned on Sunset Beach, the Beach House is refined casual and boasts large panoramic windows with rollup doors that offer a coastal breeze and blur the indoors and outdoors, making the gulf views part of the experience,” South Seas General Manager Shawn Farrell said. “The interior decor features natural wood accents with creamy whites offering a warm, coastal vibe. Tables are positioned to maximize the views for a front-row seat to paradise.”
The menu offers flavors inspired by the land and sea, like the towering tin-can nachos appetizer presented tableside, crab-crusted mahi, and pineapple upside-down tres leches cake topped with pina colada sauce.
“Every guest who visits South Seas spends money at our local restaurants, shops, grocery stores and attractions, fueling businesses across the islands,” Lai said. “This means lasting income flowing into our community year after year.”
Headquartered in Fort Myers with three other locations in Southwest Florida, Alliant opened its island office in March, but it has been servicing clients on the islands since 2011.
“The decision to open a Sanibel office was directly predicated on growth and client commitment,” Chief Executive Officer John Strohm said. “Post-Hurricane Ian, we significantly expanded our services by onboarding several new associations on the islands. Opening a Sanibel office was a strategic move to ensure we could maintain a close, dedicated presence to support our clients through their recovery and rebuilding efforts. It’s part of our commitment to maximize efficiency and expertise through a dedicated team approach for HOAs and condo associations of all sizes.”
“Alliant has already demonstrated its commitment to the community and support for the chamber,” Lai said. “Although the hurricanes of 2024 delayed its official opening, it sticks to its determination to find the exact, right-sized solutions for every client.”
The Kona Kai welcomed its first post-Ian guest at the end of August. Because each of its five buildings had separate policies, insurance payout caused holdups. All the elevated buildings took on about 4 feet of water, and a complete rebuild became necessary despite roof and windows remaining intact.
“Eventually we did get the insurance checks, but unfortunately the funds were just enough to cover the clean up and remediation costs,” Denise Rodenburg, co-owner since 2010 with husband Steve, said. “We needed another $2 million to build back, so we were able to cover some of it with reserves and the rest with an SBA loan.”
The Kona Kai dates back to the late 1960s, according to a building permit that they found. The couple built it back to its original footprint, Hawaiian theme and number of units, but they made some upgrades, including ADA compliance, a new party room and kitchen at the pool, lobby space in the office, and larger bathrooms in the units.
“Years ago, we spoke with the original owner’s daughter and she told us her parents built Kona Kai with the Hawaiian look because she was taking hula dancing classes at that time,” Rodenburg said.
“The Kona Kai is a Sanibel classic,” Lai said. “Guests can expect a true island experience with a mix of traditional and modern. We welcome the landmark back to our accommodations inventory.”
Alliant Association Management is at 1633 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
The Beach House is at 5400 Plantation Drive, Captiva.
The Kona Kai Motel is at 1539 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.