What's New in Fort Myers & Sanibel

On Sept. 23, 2020, the waterfront Luminary Hotel & Co. opened its doors, soaring 12 stories above downtown Fort Myers as the area’s first hotel in the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International. The 243-room boutique hotel is home to the signature:

• Silver King Ocean Brasserie and Lobby Bar

• Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge

• Ella Mae's Diner

• Dean Street Coffee

• The Workshop culinary theater

The hotel also features an indoor and outdoor fitness facility and a spacious pool area on the fourth floor with an event deck overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. Luminary offers 10,000 square feet of adaptable indoor and outdoor function space ideal for a variety of events and meetings and is adjacent to the neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The hotel will also be convenient to the new riverfront Oxbow Bar & Grill, Oxbow Retail & Rentals and Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, all located on the Caloosahatchee and scheduled to open

in 2021.

Plan ahead and save the dates! 7th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Returning Sept. 17-26, 2021, the award-winning event will include new artists and events along with favorites from previous shows. The festival takes place over 10 days and offers a range of star-studded performances – most of which are free – by some of country music’s greatest singer songwriters from Nashville and beyond. Island Hopper kicks off on Captiva Island Sept. 17-19; moves to downtown Fort Myers Sept. 20-23; and closes at Fort Myers Beach Sept. 24-26.

Meanwhile, don’t miss a live comfy, concert series, Songs from the Sofa, on the third Thursday of each month. Songs from the Sofa features a BMI songwriter performing live from the comfort of their home at 8 p.m. (EST) at instagram.com/islandhopperfest.

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’s new Sun Saver Passport

The Sun Saver Passport is a collection of mobile-exclusive discounts for visitors to enjoy throughout the destination. This digital savings pass provides instant access to a variety of deals and experiences from area attractions, restaurants and more! There is no app to download and sign-up is simple and FREE! Passports are instantly delivered via text and email and can be saved on your home screen for one-tap access. Scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit explore.fortmyers-sanibel.com to participate!

Lovers Key State Park

Construction is underway for a Welcome and Discovery Center that is expected to open in spring 2021 and will include an exhibit hall, picnic area and outdoor discovery areas. Set on the banks of an inland waterway, the design pays homage to this beautiful backdrop, with columns designed to model mangrove roots and glass walls that open to large observation decks. It is the perfect setting for listening to music, attending a lecture or to just enjoy the natural beauty of Lovers Key State Park which has been ranked one of Southern Living’s “10 most romantic places in Florida.”