Rebuilding Paradise Two Sanibel Island Resorts Greet Owners Again

When Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022, few places suffered more than Sanibel Island. The storm surge tore apart roads, destroyed infrastructure, and left the island’s resorts fighting for survival. As a recent Wall Street Journal article noted, recovery on Sanibel “has taken far longer than anyone expected,” with many properties still shuttered three years later. But two timeshare resorts—Lighthouse Resort & Club and Shell Island Beach Club—have not only reopened but are once again welcoming owners and exchangers, thanks to determined boards, resilient owners, and steady guidance from Vacatia.

Related: Southwest Florida Ground Zero for Hurricane Ian

A Community Rebuilds

For Lighthouse Resort HOA board president Ed Hajek, the decision to rebuild was never really in question.
“The initial question of whether to move on or rebuild was answered quickly and with a resounding yes,” Hajek said. “We have such a close ownership community—it’s like a family. That made all the difference.”

The resort, originally built in the late 1970s, sustained heavy damage but retained a strong structural core. Working closely with Vacatia, which had taken over management after the storm, the board secured an SBA loan, arranged insurance settlements, and engaged a national contractor recommended by Vacatia (PPD Construction Services) to restore the 45-year-old property.

Vacatia’s experience managing multiple post-hurricane restorations gave Lighthouse an advantage. “They brought tremendous value in representing us with insurance companies and connecting us with a reliable reconstruction team,” Hajek said. “Their expertise from other rebuilds helped us avoid costly mistakes.”

The resort reopened in July 2025—just under three years after Ian—with fully renovated interiors and redesigned landscaping. A volunteer design committee, composed of owners and guided by a Vacatia-recommended design firm, reimagined units with lighter palettes, updated kitchens, and durable finishes suited to coastal conditions.

Some amenities, including tennis and pickleball courts, were still being resurfaced this fall, but owners have been overwhelmingly positive.

“People are thrilled to be back,” said Lighthouse General Manager Phil Belli, who joined earlier this year to oversee reopening. “They waited two and a half years to return, and even when the pool wasn’t open, they came back to see their island again.”

Across the Street, a Parallel Journey

Just across Periwinkle Way, Shell Island Beach Club followed a similar path. The resort reopened in late 2024, though General Manager Drew Wilson, a recent addition, said the final stages have been challenging.

“We’re still dealing with elevator parts, permitting, and pool repairs,” he said. “Labor shortages, wildlife issues, and new city ordinances after the storm all slowed things down. But owners are just happy to be here again.”

Like many mid-sized independent associations on Sanibel, Shell Island didn’t have “deep-pocket” funding from a global brand. Instead, the board prioritized reopening for owners as soon as possible, even while some construction continued nearby. “We didn’t do a full tear-down,” Wilson explained. “We focused on getting people back in sooner rather than later. That mattered to our owners.”

Related: Vacatia to Manage Three Sanibel Island Resorts

A Broader Strategy of Preparedness

Vacatia’s role in these recoveries is rooted in the company’s codified hurricane response program, detailed in its 25-page hurricane playbook. The process—refined through experiences with hurricanes Helene and Milton—includes everything from pre-season coordination with local officials to post-storm communication plans and owner outreach.

“When a resort is in the path of a hurricane, we already know exactly what to do,” said a Scott Weber, Vacatia’s senior vice president of hospitality, describing the company’s detailed approach. “Our quick mobilization means remediation teams are on-site as soon as bridges reopen. Every day matters in preventing mold and escalating damage.”

That readiness proved critical after Ian. Although Vacatia didn’t yet manage Lighthouse or Shell Island when the storm hit, its subsequent involvement helped both resorts navigate complex insurance claims, permitting, and financing challenges—while establishing more proactive systems for the future.

Communication and Care

Equally important, Vacatia made communication a central focus. After taking on management, the company launched a series of detailed email and web updates for owners, posted photos of ongoing work, and even arranged discounted exchange weeks for those who couldn’t use their home resorts during closure periods.
As the Wall Street Journal observed, some Sanibel property owners grew frustrated with opaque insurance processes and unresponsive management companies. By contrast, Vacatia’s transparency helped maintain goodwill.

“You have to over-communicate,” Weber said. “If owners think you’re hiding something, you lose their trust. We showed them everything—the damage, the repairs, the progress.”

Island-Wide Progress

According to Belli, “about 80 percent of Sanibel’s resorts are open in some form,” though many still lack amenities or await final inspections. Restaurants, bike rentals, and boat tours have largely returned, restoring the sense of normalcy that long-time owners cherish.

For both Lighthouse and Shell Island, reopening symbolizes more than just construction milestones—it represents the return of community.

“Our owners have seen each other for decades,” Hajek said. “They didn’t just want to rebuild a building—they wanted to rebuild their second home.”

Lessons for the Future

The Sanibel recovery offers lessons for the entire vacation ownership sector. As severe weather events grow more frequent, operators and HOAs are recognizing the need for structured disaster plans, clear communication, and experienced management partners.

Vacatia’s hurricane playbook—and its commitment to reopening resorts “better than before”—demonstrates how professional management can preserve both property value and owner confidence.

“Every storm is different,” Hajek reflected, “but with the right preparation and partners, recovery doesn’t have to take forever.”

Judy Kenninger heads Kenninger Communications and has been writing about the vacation real estate industry for two decades.