LEE COUNTY – Representatives of the Florida Superior Small Lodging Association recently announced 22 Lee County hoteliers have successfully qualified for the distinguished SSL designation. The SSL certification is a statewide hospitality recognition program.
In addition, 11 of the 22 total SSL properties (50 percent) inspected by the Property Review Program 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:

Bokeelia, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Matlacha & St. James City
Bokeelia Tarpon Inn – White Glove Award
Casa Loma – White Glove Award
Fountain Motel – White Glove Award
Matlacha Island Cottages
Two Fish Inn

Fort Myers Beach
Beach Shell Inn – White Glove Award
Manatee Bay Bed & Breakfast – White Glove Award
Matanzas Inn
Shipwreck Hotel
Silver Sands Villas – White Glove Award

Sanibel & Captiva islands
Anchor Inn
Blue Dolphin – White Glove Award
Gulf Breeze Cottages
Mitchell’s Sand Castles
Palms of Sanibel – White Glove Award
The Palm View – White Glove Award
Sandpiper Inn – White Glove Award
Shalimar Resort
Signal Inn
Sunshine Island Inn – White Glove Award
Tropical Winds Motel & Cottages
Waterside Inn on the Beach

Source: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau