We have hosted on AirBnB and VRBO since 2016. We had a three story home on 2 ½ acres where we raised our three children. When our last child moved out, we had this big house with empty rooms. Mike’s brother recommended we do AirBnB. We were a little skeptical, but moved forward with trying it out. We then had a friend who had an emergency and needed a place for their family to stay and they became our first guests. Our first year we were booked solid during the winter season, had a nice break during off-season and more people came the next year. We then decided to downsize and sold that wonderful property. We moved to a place on a canal, just off the Caloosahatchee river. Mike won a speed boat in a drawing at our church and we were able to explore the river by boat. On one of our ventures we found this wonderful island and knew we could share it with others, just as we had shared our other home.

Both of us have a vision to help others and to create a place for others to relax, refresh, and reconnect with other family members. As our children were growing up we met with Mike’s family including his Grandmother, Parents, Siblings and their families, Uncles and their families for a family vacation every year at a resort in MN. We were able to reconnect with each other during the vacation week having fun playing games, fishing, shopping, water skiing, and enjoying meals together. The families didn’t all live close together and the week at the lake allowed us to have the bond of fellowship each year. At Grace River Island Resort, Mike and Karen want to share their home and allow other families to gather together in Florida to relax, refresh, and reconnect with others just like have done for many years with theirs.

The island is a unique space as there are very few islands on the Caloosahatchee River that have homes on them. And our property is easily accessible via a land bridge (brick paver driveway) to the mainland. The water and sunset views are spectacular.

As you enter the gate to the property, the driveway lined with traveler and queen palms stretches ahead of you. As you continue up the drive, you will occasionally glimpse the river and more tropical flora, and soon you will see the 4700 square foot island house which has a 2000 square foot deck, a beautiful kitchen, a large living room, and a family room, and six bedrooms. The house has well appointed finishing/prep kitchen for events large and small. An air-conditioned sunroom with a live edge table (seats 24 people) overlooks both the river and the pool, making a great place for dinner and to fellowship and play games together. You can explore the river and many bird species with our 3-person and two 1-person kayaks. If fishing is your pleasure, we have 4 fishing poles available and a bait shop close by. There are many salt water fish species that call our river home. Early morning is the best time to see dolphins, manatees, shark, and tarpon. Bring your boat and dock it in the tranquil bay. We have a private boat ramp and there is a public boat ramp nearby.

This is a private gated island. However, we share the neighborhood with other properties. And noise travels easily over the water. So we ask that noise levels be kept low during the day and STRICT quiet hours are from 10 pm to 8 am and music must be kept at a minimum level at all times. No loud parties!

Finally, our property has the benefit of being in a quiet country setting, but still close to downtown, I-75, airports, beaches, fishing, sporting events, shopping, and other attractions.