Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach September Construction Progress – More Color And Signs

The big news for Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach, Florida came with the recent announcement that reservations are open! That's right, you can now book your vacation at Margaritaville for reservations beginning February 1st. The hotel is coming along nicely, and with this latest video from Brian Kennedy, you'll really notice some of the finishing work being done at the new hotel here in Florida.

I spent some time on the island of Fort Myers Beach yesterday and there's still so much to do. It's so odd seeing some areas that look completely renovated, while others are seemingly untouched from the hurricane just over a year ago. But such is the way. I'm really hoping the economic boost of having Margaritaville open next year will also pump in the money needed to really bring the rest of the beach along. For us old timers, Fort Myers Beach will never look the same. That's just something we'll need to get used to. But as you'll see, Margaritaville construction is really coming along.

Along with lots of new paint, there are signs up on the beach facing restaurant. This may seem small to some, but for those of us who know how difficult sign permits can be in Southwest Florida, you know it's a big deal.

The pool looks nearly ready for it's coating, while the building next to it looks nearly complete. At least on the outside. The Sunset terrace is also coming along. We're really starting to see where things are going to go.

Barring any new storms (fingers crossed) they should be able to make that February 1st opening. I know there's a lot of work going on now on the inside. Every single room needs to have that special attention given.

RIP Jimmy. So sorry you won't be here with us in person. But you'll definitely be here in spirit.

We are right in the middle of a special dining event in Southwest Florida where part of the proceeds go to feeding hungry children. Sizzle Dining Restaurant Week actually encompasses 20 days. Last week I shared an experience at A Table Apart in Bonita Springs. However, over the weekend I picked a Sizzle Dining stop on Sanibel Island and want to share it for Monday Funday. I dined at the impeccable Cielo on Sanibel Island. The island is still in major recovery mode after Hurricane Ian. Only two restaurants are participating in this year's event. Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen is the other one.

It's been a minute since I've crossed the causeway that was impassable in the days and weeks after Hurricane Ian. Repairs are coming along nicely but it is still hard to see. I have so many great memories of cookouts, parties and stealing moments of peace on those causeway beaches. I know many people who have put off going to the island because they're not ready to see the damage and destruction left behind by the storm.

If you are one of them, Cielo is just a couple of blocks in. And the restaurant looks amazing! The interior is beautiful, the building is OK, the staff gives impeccable service, and their Sizzle menu is great. For me, it was important to support island establishments that have been suffering even more during this slow season.  Coincidentally, the Sizzle staff was also dining at Cielo when I was there.

More than 50 restaurants are participating in Sizzle Dining this year. Each one puts together their own two, three and four course pre-fix meals for prices that begin at $19 for lunch. The idea of this restaurant event is three-fold. First, to get locals into restaurants that are typically starving in the slow month of September. Second, to entice diners to try new restaurants through special pre-fix menus that won’t break the bank. Finally, and perhaps best of all, to support food insecure children in Lee and Collier Counties through Blessings in a Backpack.