Sunshine Inn & Suites

Sunshine Inn & Suites is a small, family run motel at 1602 South Tamiami Trail in Venice, a stretch of the old US 41 corridor lined with independent motor courts that predate the interstate era of highway travel. It is a single story, nineteen room property, toward the smaller end of Venice’s independent lodging options, and nightly rates run roughly from $61 to $105, making it one of the more affordable choices among the city’s non chain motels.

Rooms come with the basics travelers expect from a budget motel: a microwave and mini fridge, coffee maker, iron, hair dryer, and a flat screen television with more than 100 channels, and several of the suites add a sofa and small kitchenette for guests staying longer or traveling with family. An outdoor heated pool and a barbecue area give the property a bit more to offer than a strict overnight stop, and free WiFi and parking are included, standard for this class of property. The building is entirely non smoking, with a designated outdoor smoking area set apart from the rooms.

What stands out in the property’s Tripadvisor reviews, which run to more than 240 at a 4.4 out of 5 average, is a consistent thread about cleanliness and friendly staff despite the motel’s age. Multiple guests mention daily housekeeping and describe the grounds as tidy, and several call out the value for the price given the proximity to both the beach and area shopping along Tamiami Trail. At the same time, a number of reviewers note the age of the building shows in places, pointing to worn mattresses or dated furnishings in some rooms even where renovation work is clearly underway elsewhere on the property, a common trade off at older independent motels that have not been fully overhauled unit by unit.

Sunshine Inn & Suites markets itself directly as a cozy hotel in Venice built around affordable comfort for families, business travelers heading to nearby Sarasota or North Port, and anyone looking to save money on a beach trip without giving up basic comforts. It is independently owned rather than part of any hotel chain, and the South Tamiami Trail address puts it a short drive, rather than a walk, from the beach and downtown Venice shops, so travelers who want to walk everywhere may prefer one of the properties closer to Venice Island itself. For a no frills, budget priced base with a pool and a kitchenette option, though, it holds its own against similarly priced motels along the same corridor.