
Luminary Hotel & Co.
Best for downtown access, walkable restaurants, rooftop drinks and a social downtown scene.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Luminary Hotel & Co. is a 12-story Autograph Collection boutique hotel in downtown Fort Myers’ River District with river views, a rooftop bar and a social-dining focus; read this if you want walkable downtown access, restaurants and events. Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is a larger waterfront Marriott resort near the Sanibel Causeway with multiple pools, tennis and a full-service spa; read this if you prefer a beach-area resort with on-site water activities and family-oriented resort facilities.
Updated · about 20 miles (≈32 km) apart

Best for downtown access, walkable restaurants, rooftop drinks and a social downtown scene.

Best for waterfront resort amenities, multiple pools, tennis and trips to Sanibel/Captiva.
When Luminary Hotel & Co. wins: choose Luminary if you want to stay in Fort Myers’ River District, be within easy walking distance of cafés, cultural attractions and nightlife, and prioritize a boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and riverfront dining.
When Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa wins: choose Marriott Sanibel Harbour if you want a resort-style stay on Sanibel Harbour with several outdoor pools, extensive resort activities (tennis, water sports), a full-service spa and easy access to the Sanibel Causeway for beach days.
Bottom line: pick Luminary for a downtown, social and food-focused stay; pick Marriott Sanibel Harbour for a traditional waterfront resort experience and family-friendly pool/tennis programming near Sanibel Island.
| Category | Luminary Hotel & Co. | Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Boutique, downtown-social, riverfront dining and rooftop nightlife | Resort-style, waterfront leisure with pools, courts and family programming |
| Location | 2200 Edwards Drive in Fort Myers’ River District, steps from Centennial Park and Harborside | 17260 Harbour Pointe Dr, Punta Rassa waterfront near the Sanibel Causeway |
| Distance apart | about 20 miles (≈32 km) to the Sanibel Causeway/Marriott area | |
| Size (rooms) | 243 rooms (12-story boutique property) | 347 guestrooms |
| Ages / family policy | All ages welcome; primary guest must be 21 to check in | |
| Pools | One heated outdoor pool on the 4th floor with pool bar and river views | Three outdoor pools plus 1 indoor pool listed; multiple poolside options and cabanas (surcharges apply) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including The Silver King Coastal Kitchen, Ella Mae's Diner, Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop, Oxbow Bar & Grill and several bars/café | Four restaurants, coffee shop/café, bar/lounge and room service (limited hours) |
| Spa & fitness | 24-hour fitness center (4th floor); no standalone spa facility published (in-room spa services noted) | Full-service spa on site plus 24-hour fitness and fitness classes |
| Known for | Riverfront location in a walkable downtown with event spaces and rooftop social venues | Waterfront resort near Sanibel Causeway with pools, tennis and water activities |
| Event & meeting space | Connected to the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and 17 event rooms (large Caloosa Ballroom and Workshop culinary theater) | Conference center with 9,684 sq ft of meeting space and 13 meeting rooms |
Luminary sits in Fort Myers’ River District overlooking the Caloosahatchee River—walkable to parks, museums and downtown dining.
Pick Luminary to be in the heart of Fort Myers’ walkable downtown and near local attractions.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa sits on Sanibel Harbour in the Punta Rassa area, close to the Sanibel Causeway.
Pick the Marriott for easy access to Sanibel and a waterside resort setting rather than downtown walkability.
Luminary offers 243 rooms with several suite options and river- or city-view layouts.
Luminary suits travelers who want boutique-style rooms and downtown or river views.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour has 347 guestrooms with many balcony and waterfront-room options.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour works well if you want a wider choice of room layouts and dedicated waterfront-room categories.
Luminary’s dining is focused on seafood, diner classics, rooftop small plates and several bars—designed for both guests and locals.
Choose Luminary if you want varied, walkable dining tied to downtown life and a rooftop drinks scene.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour offers several on-site restaurants and a bar/lounge plus room service (limited hours).
Pick the Marriott for a resort-style mix of on-site restaurants and convenient poolside dining.
Luminary has a single heated outdoor pool on its fourth floor overlooking the river with a pool bar and loungers.
Luminary’s pool is scenic and central to the hotel’s social spaces but is a single rooftop-style pool rather than multiple resort pools.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour lists multiple outdoor pools and a smaller indoor pool option, plus pool cabanas (surcharge).
The Marriott suits guests who want a larger, resort-style pool program and easier launch points for water activities.
Luminary focuses on fitness and social nightlife—24-hour fitness and a rooftop bar are central.
Luminary is aimed at travelers who want fitness options and an active downtown nightlife without a standalone spa.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour offers a full-service spa plus on-site fitness classes and tennis programming.
The Marriott is for guests seeking spa treatments, organized fitness classes and resort sports like tennis and boating.

Luminary — walkable restaurants, rooftop bar and multiple in-hotel dining venues put you in the middle of downtown Fort Myers activity.

Marriott Sanibel Harbour — close to the Sanibel Causeway and positioned for day trips to Sanibel and Captiva.

Marriott Sanibel Harbour — multiple outdoor pools, cabanas and on-site water activities suit families and longer resort stays.

Luminary — connected to the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, with 17 event rooms and a culinary Workshop theater.
Luminary is better for a short downtown stay—you're steps from restaurants, parks and cultural sites.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour is closer; it's near the Sanibel Causeway and better positioned for beach day trips to Sanibel and Captiva.
No standalone spa facility is published for Luminary; listings mention in-room spa services but not a dedicated spa.
Yes. Both welcome children of all ages; in both cases the primary guest checking in must be at least 21 years old.
Explore how Luminary Hotel & Co. stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·