Fort Myers Beach Local Hotels Still Struggling Despite Plan Approvals for New Builds

Local officials approved Pink Shell Beach Resort's proposal for a new 40-room hotel across from their existing property but construction won't start until after the 2025 tourist season ends.

Six couples canceled their 2024 wedding plans at the Pink Shell Beach Resort, discouraged by the surrounding damage. These cancellations show the ongoing struggles facing local tourism after Hurricane Ian.

The decision to add on to Pink Shell Beach Resort shows progress in our beach community's recovery from Hurricane Ian. Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt discussed the challenges ahead — mentioning it could take years to reach even 60% occupancy rates again.

"We're still at 40-some percent of hotels in terms of hotel rooms back," Town Vice-Mayor Jim Atterholt told News-Press. "The Best Western is close ― so those two ― one's already in and one's imminent. But then after that, it's a long slog so we'll be at 60% for quite awhile."

Crews have demolished the old Neptune Inn to make way for 148 new rooms. Local business Holiday Water Sports, located behind the Best Western, has resumed operations before the hotel is even accepting reservations. Several big names like Outrigger and Wyndham haven't reopened yet, limiting options for visitors.

New developments keep popping up, from Continental Properties' rental units to the upcoming Ritz-Carlton Residences in Bonita Springs, set to open in 2026.

Construction now accounts for almost 11% of local employment in Southwest Florida, but new immigration policies may cause problems with labor availability and construction costs, further delaying recovery plans.