Hyatt Coconut Plantation in Bonita Springs is a true hidden gem in Bonita Springs. The end point of a long road, so not walking distance to anything. A short driving distance away from Coconut Point shopping, Naples, Everglades National Park, and Fort Myers.
The resort grounds are beautiful, clean and well kept. There’s so much to do with the family including multiple pools, slides, fire pits for s’mores, putt putt golf, a rock climbing wall, ping pong tables, bean bag toss, hammocks, and my personal favorite, the lazy river. Not technically a beach resort, but they do offer a 15 minute boat ride across Estero Bay to Old Hickory Island, a private island to get your beach fix. **There are umbrellas and chairs waiting for you at the island, but no food or drinks available for purchase on the island, so make sure you pack a cooler!
Self parking is free in an outdoor parking lot and valet is usually an option.
The largest resort poolscape in Southwest Florida! There are multiple pools available including an adult-only pool and hot tub. The hot tub turned kid-friendly after hours, probably since nobody was out there telling us to get out. 🙂
A kid’s paradise with 5 slides and lazy river. The slides include a tiny one for tots, corkscrew, 2 speedsters for family fun racing, and an inner tube slide that drops you off at the beginning of the lazy river. Kids ages 17 and under need wrist bands to use the slides, and there is a 42-48” height requirement for all of them except the tiny tots one.
Your pretty average hotel rooms. We booked the “Island Suite” and it was two adjoining hotel rooms, which was a tad disappointing. One room had the standard 2 queen beds and the other room had a pull out couch, a massive conference table and chairs, and a smaller dining table with chairs. A strange set up, but altogether 3 beds and 2 bathrooms. The bathrooms were tiny. The kind of tiny that makes you play tetris with yourself and the bathroom door while entering and exiting. There was no kitchen, microwave, or large fridge. Each room had its own mini fridge and coffee maker. The redeeming part was the multiple balconies facing the pools and water, for one of the best views in the house!
I have to mention this was the first time we stayed at the actual resort. We’ve stayed over at the “Residence” side twice before and those rooms are more accommodating and spacious than the resort rooms, including a large bathroom and kitchen! If everything was open and the trolley was running, we would have booked over there again. It is not a short walk with 4 kids and all supplies needed for a fun filled pool/water day, so with the trolley not going back and forth, (as of June 12, 2020) that side was out of the picture. I also heard the restaurant/pool grille on the residence wasn’t serving yet, but I believe it was near opening, so call the hotel before booking. That’s just the norm these days. The price for the Island Suite and for the 1 bedroom Residence is about the same, so I’d recommend staying over at the Residence side if everything is up and running. Staying at the resort, of course, has way more food options and activities for the kids, but you have access to all those while staying on the Residence side! Plus an amazing lazy river, water falls, playgrounds, and one restaurant more at your service. A short trolley ride or drive will take you to everything else at the resort.
Island Suite Living room
The Hyatt Resort offers 3 restaurants, a coffee/snack shop, and a poolside bar and grill. At the time, all had limited menus.
Cool Beans coffee shop sells a variety of food and drink items, plus a wall of random gifts/books. It’s a coffee shop on steroids with goodies, ice cream, prepared sandwiches, hot and cold breakfast items, yogurt, salads, fruit cups, bottled drinks, fruit, candy, alcohol, and more. This is also where you can purchase the S’more kits, but not forgotten toiletries. You’ll have to go to the gift shop in the front lobby of the resort for those.
Corkscrew Bar and Grille is at your service poolside. If you get anything out of this review, order the Buffalo Chicken Tenders and Coconut Shrimp. Seriously, I got the Buffalo Chicken tenders at almost every meal, but in different ways. Order them by themselves, in a wrap (not on the menu, but they make one), and on top of a Cesar salad. Their Mojitos are also a refreshing favorite!
Mangroves Bar was one of the only restaurants open at the time, with a very limited menu.We enjoyed the Caprese salad and Beyond Meat burgers. The Paloma drinks were amazing and so refreshing! The guys ended up purchasing some cigars here to enjoy on a walk around the grounds.
* Don’t forget Swim diapers (They only had 1 available for purchase when we were there, at low capacity!)
* Don’t forget Small cooler or bag to bring to the beach island
* Don’t forget S’more items. They have kits available for purchase, but if you have a group larger than 4, I suggest bringing your own.
* Don’t forget to order a mojito, Buffalo chicken tenders, and Coconut Shrimp by the pool!
* Don’t forget to order a Paloma at dinner at Mangroves!
