Aug 12, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  September 2008

CONTACTS: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose, Katie Meckley (239)338-3500

Superior Small Lodging: Because Bigger Doesn't Mean Better

LEE COUNTY, FL – Representatives of the Florida Superior Small Lodging Association (SSL) recently announced that 24 Lee County hoteliers have successfully qualified for the distinguished SSL designation.  The SSL certification is a statewide hospitality recognition program.  The overall average inspection score for all Lee County properties was 96.79 percent, representing the highest average of overall scores in the eight year history of Lee County hotelier participation. 

In addition, 17 of the 24 total SSL properties (70 percent) inspected by the Property Review Program (PRP) qualified to receive the coveted Donal A. Dermody White Glove Award for best practices in housekeeping.  Properties must receive a score of 100 percent for all components of the housekeeping inspection to be eligible to receive the White Glove Award. 

Superior Small Lodging Program

Eligibility for participation in the Lee County SSL program is restricted to
accommodations with 50 room units or less.  Properties must hold a valid hotel, motel, inn or bed and breakfast license and pay all applicable state and local taxes related to the operations of an accommodation.

The SSL inspection program and designation is designed to provide travelers with an easily identifiable symbol to demonstrate that the accommodation is a "clean, safe and well managed small lodging establishment, offering friendly ambiance and personal service."  All property review inspections are conducted unannounced and can be repeated periodically and randomly to ensure that SSL program standards are being maintained. 

The passing grade for participation in the program is 82 percent and is based on a comprehensive review process of six different property attributes:
1) registration/operations/public places, 2) guests accommodations, 3) bathrooms, 4) bathroom supplies, 5) kitchens, and 6) property exterior.  These six categories are further delineated with numerical scoring to create the 343 total point inspection system.

Lee County properties recognized by the SSL hospitality recognition program include:

The Bokeelia Tarpon Inn, Bokeelia - White Glove Award Recipient
Anchor Inn and Cottages, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Blue Dolphin Cottages, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Bridgewater Inn, Matlacha – White Glove Award Recipient
Fountain Motel, Fort Myers – White Glove Award Recipient
Mitchell's Sand Castles "By The Sea", Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Casa Loma Motel on the Waterfront, Cape Coral - White Glove Award Recipient
Abaco Beach Villas, Fort Myers Beach – White Glove Award Recipient
Manatee Bay Inn, Fort Myers Beach –White Glove Award Recipient
Matanzas Inn, Fort Myers Beach – White Glove Award Recipient
Silver Sands Villas, Fort Myers Beach - White Glove Award Recipient
Beach Shell Inn, Fort Myers Beach – White Glove Award Recipient
Gulf Breeze Cottages, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Shalimar Resort, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Signal Inn Beach & Racquetball, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Sunshine Island Inn, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
The Waterside Inn on the Beach, Sanibel Island – White Glove Award Recipient
Shipwreck Motel, Fort Myers Beach
Tropical Winds Motel and Cottages, Sanibel Island
Sandpiper Inn, Sanibel Island
Two Fish Inn, St. James City
Forty Fifteen, Sanibel Island
The Palms of Sanibel, Sanibel Island
The Palm View Inn, Sanibel Island

For more information on the Superior Small Lodging program, contact Suya Davenport, executive director Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau at 338-3500.  For destination information, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.

Printable Version