Dive into beach fun, food and outdoor adventure!
IMPORTANT NUMBERS Emergency......................... 911
Poison Control .................... 800.222.1222 Guest Service & Reservations 800.656.9111 Email........................Info@RoyalShell.com
Fort Myers Police................. 239.321.7700 Fort Myers Beach Sheriff....... 239.477.1830 Lee County Sheriff. .............. 239.477.1000 Lee Memorial Hospital.......... 239.343.2000 Poison Control .................... 800.222.1222 U.S. Coast Guard.................. 239.463.5754
Gulf Coast Medical Center..... 239.343.1000 Housekeeping & Maintenance
NAPLES/MARCO
U.S. Coast Guard.................. Naples Police...................... Marco Island Police.............. Collier County Sheriff...........
239.992.1121 x1152
239.261.7375 239.213.4844 239.389.5050 239.774.4434
NCH Healthcare System....... 239.343.2000 Physicians Regional Naples Medical Center.......... 239.348.4000 Physicians Regional Marco Walk-In Clinic............. 239.394.1670 Housekeeping & Maintenance for Naples/Marco................ 239.213.3311
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA
U.S. Coast Guard.................. Sanibel Police...................... San-Cap Medical Center........ Health Park Medical Center.... Sanibel Maintenance............ Sanibel Housekeeping.......... Captiva Maintenance........... Captiva Housekeeping.........
239.261.7375 239.213.4844 239.389.5050 239.774.4434 239.290.2768 239.290.2762 239.290.2769 239.290.2765
Welcome, friends. Congratulations! Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Islands are the perfect choices for your Florida getaway. We are here to help you create unforgettable family experiences, so please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable. We created this booklet with you in mind. Please browse for tips on what to see and where to go, or stop by one of our offices and let a member of our service team provide you with assistance from a local’s perspective. If you have interest in learning more about the area, buying and owning a property for your use or for investment, our team of professional Realtors can help you at your pace, leaving you plenty of time to bask in the sun and enjoy the water and waves we call home. Royal Shell is the largest real estate company in Southwest Florida for sales and rentals. We hope you enjoy our tropical paradise as much as we do and we thank you for being our guest!
Make yourself
at home
Some information and tips to complement your stay: STARTER KIT We’ve provided some basic necessities like soap, laundry detergent, garbage bags and paper products as a courtesy for your arrival. Local stores carry these products when you need to replenish them. HOUSEKEEPING We clean your vacation home prior to your arrival and upon your departure. If you would like daily or weekly housekeeping services, please contact Housekeeping to make arrangements. Please notify us 24 hours in advance. Additional charges apply. TREAT IT AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN Royal Shell properties are privately owned, and many are in communities with homeowners associations that have rules. We know you’re excited to be on vacation but please remember that loud parties or activities that neighbors consider a nuisance may result in an invitation to leave your vacation home without a refund. LARGE GROUPS/PARTIES Your vacation rental is your home away from home. If you need a venue to host a gathering such as a wedding, reception, reunion, prom, graduation or other similar celebration, please let us know. We offer select properties that can accommodate these types of events reserved in advance and for an additional fee.
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MAXIMUM OCCUPANTS Each property has an occupancy limit set by the homeowner or community association that includes adults, children and infants. This is a safety issue. Please confirm the maximum occupancy of your vacation home with one of our reservation agents. If the limit is exceeded, you risk being asked to leave your vacation home without a refund. We’d rather you stay and have fun! NO SMOKING POLICY Smoking inside your vacation home isn’t permitted. Generally, you may smoke outside, unless the community association rules designate the entire area a smoke-free environment. If you or anyone in your party is a smoker, please let us know in advance. If you smoke in a smoke-free property or community, you risk being asked to leave your vacation home without a refund and will be charged additional cleaning fees.
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LOCKOUTS The safety and security of your vacation home and personal property are important, so please be mindful of securing your keys. If you should lose your key or get locked out of your vacation home, we can provide re-entry and a spare key but you will have to wait for assistance and may be charged additional fees.
PARKING Our vacation homes will accommodate your conventional passenger vehicles. If you need to store RVs, boats, trailers, personal watercraft, kayaks, or other vehicles, please contact our service team for information about local storage facilities. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE We love to provide you with a beautiful, meticulously maintained vacation home. That means services such as landscaping maintenance and power washing are necessary. These services are often coordinated by homeowners or community associations and we are therefore unable to alter their schedules unless the work is done in violation of a city ordinance. If such activities are ongoing and disruptive, please contact a member of our service team and we will make every effort to assist you. LOCAL INHABITANTS As is common in tropical environments, we have some really cool insects here, depending on your perspective. Regardless, we wouldn’t want them to invade your vacation home. New Floridians learn a little preventive maintenance goes a long way.
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CHILL OUT Our homeowners want to ensure your comfort. For best results, set the air conditioner controls to COOL and AUTO at 74°F or higher. Keeping all doors and windows closed will help keep the penguins inside and the humidity out! KEEPING THINGS COLD It takes most refrigerators 24 hours to recover from being empty to being cold again after warm items fill the shelves. 1. The cooling temperature has been preset for optimal cooling. 2. Put your perishable items in first. 3. Cool your beverages in small batches instead of all at once. Ice cold from a cooler is always a good choice. 4. For best results, avoid overfilling the refrigerator or freezer. 5. Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. 6. If you enjoy cold drinks, consider buying additional ice. The ice maker may not be able to produce enough with frequent use. 7. Power outages can occur from time to time. Should you experience an outage, we recommend limiting access to keep contents cool. Move highly perishable items to ice-filled coolers. Please understand we are not responsible for loss of perishables due to power outages. Questions? Call our service team. We’re happy to help you enjoy your vacation.
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Just ask
US
DO I NEED TO REGISTER IF I ARRIVED AFTER HOURS? Approximately two weeks before arrival, you received a request to preregister your vacation. If you preregistered, there is no need to come back to the office. WHERE ARE THE BEST BEACHES? One may be just a few steps from your door! There are also wonderful public beaches and beach parks all along our coast, with different activities and environments. Lighthouse Beach Park on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island is a favorite for families and seashell collectors. Bowditch Point Park on the northern end of Fort Myers Beach is a tranquil spot with trails and scenic views. Lovers Key State Park is a magnet for not only beach lovers, but also kayakers and nature-seekers. There’s a dog-friendly beach here as well. Bonita Beach Park is bustling with eateries, water recreation rentals, dining, and picnic areas. Naples has wonderful beaches and Tigertail Beach on Marco is a local favorite. Remember, beaches are public up to the mean high tide line. Above that line is private property, except in a public beach park. CAN I PARK AT THE BEACH? Public beaches have parking lots and fees may vary, depending on the municipality in which the beach is located. Most public parking lots have kiosks or meters. Kiosks accept payment by cash, credit or debit card. On Sanibel, save your receipt! If you leave one beach to check out another, and there is time remaining on your ticket, you may park at another Sanibel (but not Captiva) beach using that ticket. The Causeway islands are also popular for sunbathing, picnicking and fishing. You may park for free on the Causeway beaches but not overnight. 6
WHAT ARE THE BEACH RULES? Rules for each beach park or access will have rules posted. Take time to read them. The Florida sun is bright and strong! Don’t spend your vacation nursing a burn. Stay hydrated and apply sunscreen at least every two hours, more often if you take a dip in the Gulf or pool. While you’re enjoying our beautiful beaches be sure to keep an eye on your little ones. Our gentle surf is considered safe but you won’t see lifeguards on duty. Keep an eye on the sky and find a safe place if a storm rolls in. Don’t worry, it should roll back out fairly soon. Find any cool shells yet? Be sure nobody’s home inside the ones you keep. Live shelling isn’t permitted, so if you find an animal inside, please place the shell gently back in the water.
Sea turtles are awesome! Nesting season is May through October. That’s when females return to their beaches to lay eggs. If you build a sandcastle or dig a hole, please flatten or fill it in before you leave the beach. Remove all chairs and beach toys for the night. Interior and exterior lights must be shielded and may not shine toward the beach. Learn about more ways you can help keep our beaches safe for the mamas and hatchlings. We have an abundance of wonderful wild critters in Southwest Florida. Please help us keep them wild. They probably won’t share their meals with you, so don’t share yours with them.
Please help us keep our beaches clean and leave only your footprints behind. You’ll find trash and recycling receptacles at most beach parking lots.
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WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO SNORKEL & SCUBA DIVE? There are no natural reefs nearby. However, there are some amazing man-made reefs within 15 miles of the coast including Edison Reef, Belton Johnson Reef, and Pegasus/Charlie’s Reef. Near the Naples coast, explore Santa Lucia, Naples Barge and Collier Five-Mile Reef. For charter services and equipment in Fort Myers and the Islands, please contact Port Sanibel Marina at 239.437.1660 or Info@PortSanibelMarina.com. HOW IS THE FISHING? All of Southwest Florida promises some of the best fishing waters. Port Sanibel Marina in Punta Rassa offers Royal Shell guests a 30% discount on boat, canoe and kayak rentals. In addition, there are a variety of local fishing charters, tours, sea life encounters, dolphin-watching and lunch cruises available in the area. Contact Port Sanibel Marina at 239.437.1660 or e-mail Info@PortSanibelMarina.com. In other areas, there are charter services at marinas up and down the coast. WHAT GOLF COURSES ARE NEARBY? This corner of Florida is a golfing mecca, so you’ll find a multitude of terrific public and semi-private clubs that welcome visitors. Call us for more information.
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HOW ABOUT GOOD HIKING OR NATURE TRAILS? We’re surrounded by lots of preserve land and incredible state parks where you can hike and explore. The of the most popular are J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, Koreshan State Park in Estero, Black Island Trail at Lovers Key State Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. LAUNDRY For your convenience, most vacation properties have washers and dryers in the unit or on site. We encourage you to be environmentally conscious and conserve water by consolidating loads and reducing chemical use. HOUSEKEEPING Housekeeping services are provided prior to your arrival and again on departure. We ask that you treat your vacation home as you would your own, and that you keep the premises tidy throughout your stay. On your day of departure, please assist us and ensure all food is either taken with you or placed in the trash to prevent pests and insects. Dirty dishes may be placed in the dishwasher. Please start the dishwasher and we will do the rest. WILL MY UNIT HAVE TELEPHONE SERVICE? Many vacation homes DO NOT provide a landline telephone. If your vacation home does have a phone, the number will appear on your confirmation form. WHAT ABOUT BEACH EQUIPMENT AND BEACH TOWELS, BABY EQUIPMENT OR PERSONAL AMENITIES? Each vacation home is individually owned. Some homeowners provide extra amenities and equipment for our guests. However for special needs, we recommend that you make arrangements in advance to rent these items. Please contact our service team for assistance.
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CAN WE RENT BICYCLES? Bicycling is very popular in our corner of paradise, particularly on the back roads, bike paths and lanes close to the coast. Local vendors provide a range of styles and all of the necessary safety equipment. A member of our service team will be happy to assist you with information. We remind you to use caution and stay in designated bike-friendly areas. WHERE CAN I BUY GROCERIES? There are major chain grocery stores including Publix, Winn-Dixie, Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Walmart. There are also popular local grocers, specialty stores and ethnic food markets. When you check in, feel free to ask us about the closest grocery store, or give us a call. WHAT ABOUT ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE INSIDE MY VACATION HOME? Accidents can happen so we ask that you contact us immediately if one occurs. Call a member of our service team so we can send someone to assess the situation, ensure guest safety is maintained, repair or replace the item, and notify our homeowner. HOW DO I CHECK OUT? Simply return the keys to the Royal Shell office by 10 a.m. If the office is unattended, please place in the Express Checkout box located at the front of the building. WHAT IF I NEED A LATE CHECKOUT? Typically, we cannot extend checkout time due to incoming guest demand. We require an appropriate amount of time to prepare each vacation home for the next arrival. See Terms and Conditions for more details. In certain circumstances, we can extend your departure time, but it MUST be confirmed in advance and is subject to an additional fee. Late departures without notification are subject to a penalty equivalent to an additional day’s rent. 10
REAL ESTATE
Bonita Springs Cape Coral
Captiva Island Fort Myers RENTALS
Fort Myers Beach Naples
Sanibel Island
Ocala National Forest
Mother Nature
has a place
The glorious landscape and waterways draw not only admiring humans, but also wildlife of many species. While you’re here, you may encounter: MANATEES & DOLPHINS The waters surrounding Southwest Florida are home to many species of marine life, and two of the most beloved are manatees and dolphins. Manatees are large, docile, affectionate animals that enjoy warm water. Dolphins are friendly, playful and like to chase the wakes of boats. That’s why Estero Bay, Pine Island Sound, the Caloosahatchee River, and the waters around nearby barrier islands are favorite places for manatees and dolphins, and good spots for seeing them in their natural habitat. SEASHELLS Sanibel and Captiva Islands are considered the shelling capital of the USA. We hope you indulge in the local pastime and enjoy the peace and excitement of strolling our shorelines in search of that keepsake. To preserve our natural environment, removing live shells is prohibited. STINGRAYS Stingrays like to bury themselves in sand in warm, shallow water. When surprised or scared, a ray whips its tail, which can cause a painful welt or cut severe enough to require medical attention. Enter the water shuffling your feet. This warns the ray with enough time to swim away from you. SEA TURTLES Sea turtle nesting season is from May to October. Females come ashore to dig nests and lay eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles use the moonlight to guide them across the sand and into the water. It is a natural wonder of our area about which locals are passionate. We ask that you respect the turtles and the efforts of local volunteers who mark and monitor these nests so they are not disturbed. If you’re lucky enough to see a sea turtle or hatchlings, please stay at least 50 feet away and don’t interfere with them. Don’t shine lights or use flash photography, as the turtles could become disoriented or frightened.
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DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE You take a great risk feeding wildlife, especially alligators. Feeding animals makes them dependent on handouts. Ultimately, they lose their fear of humans and cannot distinguish between the food and the human feeding them. It is an offense punishable by a fine and a risk to your life and safety, as well as that of the animal. BITING INSECTS No-see-ums (also known as midges) and mosquitoes are a part of the beach lifestyle. We recommend using repellent containing DEET when venturing outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk. When enjoying time on your patio or lanai, turn on ceiling fans and reduce lighting. RED TIDE This naturally occurring environmental condition is caused by excessive concentrations of Karenia brevis, a microorganism found in the Gulf of Mexico. It can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Try staying indoors in air conditioning until the red tide is gone. There are plenty of fun things to do away from the beaches. If your symptoms are severe, contact a doctor. RED DRIFT ALGAE Unlike red tide, red drift algae is harmless. Anchored on the seabed, the algae may break loose in storms and rough weather and wash up on the beach where it deters beach goers with unpleasant smells. The same high tide that brings it in generally takes it back out to sea.
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Points of
interest
WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO SEE, THINGS TO DO Visit any Royal Shell Vacations office to pick up brochures and information about the area to begin your adventures. We’ve provided a short list of our guests’ favorites here for your convenience. We recommend these attractions when it’s time to take a break from the sun and sand.
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel is a world-class nature attraction focusing on local ecology. It has a five-mile motoring and cycling trail as well as hiking trails through 5,000 acres. Call 239.472.1100.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel is the only museum in the United States devoted to seashells. Visit the new aquarium. Call 239.395.2233. Island Cinema on Sanibel. Call 239.472.1701 for show times or visit Island Cinema.com. Public Libraries on both Island offer memberships to visitors and have high-speed internet access. Sanibel Library 239.472.2483 or Captiva Library 239.533.4890. 14
BONITA SPRINGS, ESTERO, CAPE CORAL, FORT MYERS, FORT MYERS BEACH The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in the Historic River District of Downtown Fort Myers are the original winter homes of scientist and inventor Thomas Edison and automobile pioneer Henry Ford. The grounds feature Edison’s botanical research collection, laboratory and a museum devoted to his history and inventions. Call 239.334.7419.
IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers is hands-on fun for everyone! You can touch a cloud, feel the force of a hurricane or run through a thunderstorm. Call 239.243.0043. Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is more than 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem. The cypress slough (pronounced “slew”) catches and slowly filters rainwater on its way toward Estero Bay. A myriad of animals like otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds, and more live at the Slough year-round. Others, like migrating birds and butterflies, use the Slough as a feeding area or a winter home. Call 239.533.7550.
Minnesota Twins & Boston Red Sox Baseball teams come to Fort Myers for Spring Training each year. The Twins (and our local minor-league team, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels) hit home runs at Hammond Stadium at the Century Link Sports Complex. The Sox swing for the fences at JetBlue Park at Fenwick South. Call 239.533.7600 (Twins) or 239.226.4700 (Sox). The Fort Myers Princess offers year-round water tours, including afternoon dolphin and sightseeing tours, early evening sunset party cruises, holiday and specialty cruises, and private charters to host special events. Call 239.765.8500 or go to FortMyersPrincess.net.
Florida Repertory Theatre is a fully professional theatre company that The Wall Street Journal called “One of America’s Top Repertory Companies!” Celebrating 19 years of award-winning regional theatre, Florida Rep produces a wide variety of comedies, dramas and musicals, and brings more than 80,000 people to the Fort Myers River District annually throughout its October to May season. Go to FloridaRep.org.
The Beach Bowl and Pelican’s Arcade on Fort Myers Beach has been serving up family fun since 1963! Come in and bowl a few games with family and friends. In addition to serving delicious lane-side eats, you can visit the full-service pro shop, play pool and a variety of arcade games. Go to FMBeachBowl.com. 15
The Promenade is one of the area’s premier destinations for upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. Lots of locals enjoy meeting in The Center Bar for fresh cocktails and food under the stars.
DeRomo’s Gourmet Market and Restaurant is an authentic, family-owned gourmet Italian eatery and shop. Enjoy the freshest meats and seafood, handmade pasta, Sicilian pizzas, prepared foods, deli sandwiches, local produce, house-baked breads and pastries, coffee bar, wines and cheeses and gift baskets. The open kitchen allows diners to see the chefs at work or sit AL fresco on the outdoor patio or at the bar.
Miromar Outlets features more than 140 designer outlets offering savings of up to 70% off retail. Popular stores include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, and many more. Go to MiromarOutlets.com. Coconut Point is a picturesque outdoor mall with more than 140 stores and dining options from formal fine dining to grab-and-go fast casual eateries. Enjoy dinner, then a movie at the 16-screen Hollywood Theater, just a short walk from stores and restaurants. Go to Simon.com/mall/coconut-point.
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NAPLES & MARCO ISLAND Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is much more than a walk-through zoo. The paved path winds nearly a mile past rare and beautiful animals residing within a historic tropical garden of exotic plants first planted in 1919. you can take delight in seeing many of your favorite animals like lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears. You’ll also discover feature exhibits and an array of rarely seen creatures like the fossils of Madagascar or an Asian deer that works and eats meat. Call 239.262.5409.
The Baker Museum is part of the Artis—Naples campus. It houses a diverse collection of art in a three-story, 30,000 square-foot facility. Permanent collections include American modernism, 20th-Century Mexican art, sculpture and 3-dimensional art. Call 239.597.1900 or go to ArtisNaples.org/baker-museum.
The Naples Players is a nationally recognized community theater company. It was founded January 19, 1953, and performs in the Sugden Community Theatre at 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples,. It has been named the “Best Live Theatre” in Southwest Florida (including professional theaters) ten times by the readers’ poll of Naples Daily News. Go to NaplesPlayers.org or call 239.263.7990. Marco Movies is truly Florida’s most unique movie theater. Opened in 1993, it is America’s original, first-run food cinema. Sit back and order freshly prepared menu items and watch Hollywood’s latest releases in a clean and comfortable, family-friendly environment. Go to MarcoMovies.com or call 239.642.1111.
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Mercato in North Naples offers Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, 12-screen Silverspot Cinema, plus 12 notable restaurants and more than 20 upscale retailers. Most year-round events are free and open to the public. Go to MercatoShops.com. Waterside Shops in Naples is a sumptuous shopping and dining destination where more than 60 luxury retail and lifestyle stores and restaurants are set amid a lush landscape of tropical plants and a beautiful rock wall punctuated by cascading water and dramatic lighting. Go to WatersideShops.com. Naples Pier is a restored historic landmark open 24/7 for fishing, people watching and spectacular sunsets. A concession stand provides snacks, refreshments and bait. There is no admission fee. Limited metered parking is available.
Naples Botanical Garden is world-class paradise showcasing the plants of the tropics and subtropics including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. Situated on 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitat, there are walking trails, a Butterfly Garden and more, offering educational entertainment for all. Go to NaplesGarden.org or call 239.643.7275.
Esplanade Shoppes at Marco Island is a coastal Italian-style village of upscale retailers, specialty stores and fine dining. Enjoy shopping and dining on the waterfront of Smokehouse Bay with views of the 77-boat-slip marina. Go to EsplanadeShoppesatMarcoIsland.com. Quinn’s on the Beach on Marco Island features a nightly fire-dancer show at sunset. Watch for the elusive green flash, occasionally visible as the sun makes its final decent below the horizon. Call 239.394.2511. 18
The splendor that is Golden Ocala. Our new homes have thoughtful layouts perfect for families and entertaining. Enjoy a country club lifestyle that includes championship golf, tennis, a health club, spa, resort-style pool, and three on-site restaurants. If you love all things equestrian, we’ve got that covered, too. Keep your horses nearby or in your own backyard, with stately barns and space to roam and ride. We also offer executive rental properties if you want to experience the lifestyle or you’d like an additional income stream when you’re not using your property.
Visit us today at royalshell.me/golden-ocala.
4090 NW 84th Court • Ocala, Florida 34482 • 352.369.6969
14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908 | 239.437.1660
www.DeRomos.com
SEIZE THE MOMENT. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. -Erma Bombeck
@ Port Sanibel Marina 14311 Port Comfort Rd., Fort Myers 239.433.0099 @ Promenade at Bonita Bay 26821 South Bay Dr., Ste. 118, Bonita Springs 239.333.3666
Visit us at:
26811 South Bay Drive, Suites 140 & 148 Bonita Springs, Florida 34134
4 SANIBEL ISLAND LOCATIONS
Royal Shell REALTORS® live, work and play here. We love the islands just as much as you do and know them better than anyone. We’re eager to share them with you. Whether you’re looking for the grandeur of a beachfront family estate, a spacious condominium or an island homesite on which to build your dream, this is the place and Royal Shell is at your service!
Offices in Florida and North Carolina
For more than two decades, Royal Shell has been a leader in luxury properties across Southwest Florida, from the pristine islands of Captiva and Sanibel to the refined allure of Naples and Marco Island. You can have your own personal piece of paradise with Royal Shell. Come for a visit or stay for a lifetime with the leaders in sales and rentals.
VACATIONS 239.472.9111 RoyalShell.com
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