Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve hotel guide. Best Western hotel in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida

"We have two small children (ages 4 and 6). The onsite pools, beach, arcade were the perfect entertainment for them all week. The hotel itself needs to be updated. For the price you pay per night PLUS the daily resort fee, the rooms should be updated, the room cleaning everyday was awful. There would be garbage left from the previous day, sand still in the carpets and bed and they wouldn't always replenish the coffee in the room. I found this to be very off-putting for such an expensive hotel. Also, this hotel is geared towards families. The pool and beach is filled with children and they charge $55/day for a resort fee, yet there are NO LIFEGUARDS at the pool or beach ! This was the biggest concern I had as parents are also on vacation and trying to manage a few things at once and trying to enjoy themselves. I have been to 3 star hotels and a lifeguard was always present at both the pool and beach. The restaurants are expensive, but the food was delicious so it was worth it for convenience as well. I would return bc of the amenities, but wish they would offer more for what we pay."