You’re driving down Bonita Beach Road, just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and you see the palms start to thicken. That’s usually the first sign you're nearing Spanish Wells Country Club Bonita Springs. It isn’t the flashy, neon-lit version of Florida luxury you see on Instagram. Honestly, it’s better. It’s a 600-acre sprawl that feels established, lived-in, and remarkably unpretentious for a place with three different nine-hole courses.
Most people think "private club" and imagine stiff collars and whispered conversations. Spanish Wells flips that script. It’s a community where the golf carts often have more miles on them from social visits than from actual fairways.
The Three-Course Dilemma: North, South, and East
Golf here isn’t a singular experience. It’s a rotation. Gordon Lewis designed the original 18 holes back in the late 70s and early 80s, and then Bruce Howard came in later to add the East nine. This gives you 27 holes in total.
The North and South nines are the "classic" Florida layout. Think water. Lots of it. You’ll find yourself staring at a shimmering pond on almost every tee box, wondering if your Titleist is about to become a permanent resident of the local ecosystem. The East course is a bit different. It’s tighter. It rewards precision over raw power. If you’re the kind of golfer who likes to "grip it and rip it," the East course will probably humble you by the third hole.
Conditioning matters. The club recently went through a significant renovation on the North and South courses, switching over to TifEagle Bermuda grass on the greens. It’s fast. Like, "don't-breathe-too-hard-on-your-putter" fast.
It's Not Just a Guys’ Club
I’ve noticed a weird trend in Southwest Florida where clubs lean heavily into one demographic. Spanish Wells doesn't do that. The women’s golf association here is massive and arguably more active than the men’s. They run leagues, mixers, and tournaments that actually fill up the calendar.
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Then there’s the tennis and pickleball scene. If you haven't succumbed to the pickleball craze yet, this place might be your undoing. They have five Har-Tru tennis courts and a growing number of pickleball courts that stay packed until the sun goes down. It’s loud, it’s competitive, and it’s usually followed by a round of drinks at the Pub.
Membership Without the Headache
One of the biggest misconceptions about Spanish Wells Country Club Bonita Springs is that you have to live inside the gates to join. You don't. While many members are residents of the Spanish Wells community or the nearby Las Brisas and Marbella areas, they offer "Outside" or "Social" memberships.
- Full Golf Membership: This is the "everything" pass. All 27 holes, the practice range, the pool, and the gym.
- Social Membership: You get the dining and the pool. It’s perfect for people who just want a place to grab a decent burger and hang out with neighbors.
- Sports Membership: A middle ground. You get limited golf access but full use of the racquet sports and fitness center.
The Food Reality Check
Let’s be real. Club food is often hit or miss. You usually expect a soggy Caesar salad or a bland club sandwich.
Spanish Wells actually puts effort into the culinary side. The 32,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as the hub. You have the "Sunset Lounge" for a more casual vibe and the main dining room for "I’m wearing a blazer tonight" occasions. They do a Sunday Brunch that has gained a bit of a local reputation—mostly for the omelet station and the fact that you can sit on the patio and watch people struggle with their approach shots on the 9th green. It’s quality entertainment.
What No One Tells You About the Location
Bonita Springs is in a weird spot. It’s caught between the high-end glitz of Naples and the sprawling growth of Fort Myers. Spanish Wells sits right in the sweet spot.
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You are exactly 3.5 miles from Bonita Beach. That’s a seven-minute drive if the traffic on 41 isn't acting up. This proximity changes the "vibe" of the club. It doesn't feel like a landlocked desert course; it feels coastal. You get those late afternoon Gulf breezes that actually make playing in July bearable. Well, almost bearable. It’s still Florida.
The "Hidden" Fitness Perks
Most people ignore the fitness center until January 1st. At Spanish Wells, it’s actually usable. It’s not just a room with two broken treadmills and a rusty dumbbell. They have a proper strength training setup and, more importantly, a tropical pool area that looks like it belongs in a resort.
They offer group classes—yoga, water aerobics, the whole deal. It’s very much a "wellness" vibe rather than a "bodybuilding" vibe.
Real Estate: Living the Dream?
If you're looking to buy here, you need to know the landscape. The community is diverse in terms of housing stock. You’ll find:
- Detached single-family homes with private pools.
- Coach homes (usually four units to a building).
- Condos that are perfect for "snowbirds" who just want to lock the door and leave in April.
Prices have climbed, just like everywhere else in Lee County. However, compared to the "Old Naples" prices just 15 minutes south, Spanish Wells offers significantly more square footage for your dollar. You're paying for the location and the established landscaping. New developments often look like "Lego land" with tiny sticks for trees. Here, the oaks are massive and the bougainvillea is everywhere.
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Is it Right for You?
Look, Spanish Wells isn't for everyone. If you want a brand new, ultra-modern "lifestyle hub" with neon lights and a DJ at the pool, go elsewhere.
This is a place for people who like tradition but hate stuffiness. It’s for the golfer who wants 27 holes so the tee sheet doesn't get boring. It’s for the couple who wants to play pickleball at 9:00 AM and be on the beach by 11:00 AM.
Actionable Steps for Potential Members or Visitors:
If you’re thinking about Spanish Wells Country Club Bonita Springs, don't just look at the website. The photos are fine, but they don't capture the actual energy of the place.
- Book a Tour: Call the membership director. They are surprisingly chill. Ask to see the locker rooms and the bag storage—that’s where you see how a club is actually run.
- Check the Reciprocal List: If you join as a full member, ask about the reciprocal program. During the summer months (May through October), Spanish Wells members often get access to dozens of other elite courses in the area for just a cart fee. This is the "pro move" for Florida golfers.
- Visit the Beach First: Before you go to the club, drive down Bonita Beach Road to the water. If you don't love that drive, you won't love the location.
- Review the Dues Structure: Make sure you understand the difference between the "capital contribution" and the "annual dues." Florida clubs love their fees, so get a line-item breakdown before signing anything.
Spanish Wells is a staple of Bonita Springs for a reason. It’s consistent. It’s friendly. And honestly, it’s one of the few places left where the staff actually remembers your name and how you like your drink. In a state that’s growing as fast as Florida, that kind of "old school" hospitality is becoming a rare commodity.
Next Steps for Your Search:
To truly understand the value, compare the current HOA and membership fees at Spanish Wells against nearby communities like Pelican Landing or Bonita Bay. You'll likely find that Spanish Wells offers a similar "amenity density" at a more approachable price point. If you're visiting, grab a guest pass for the day and play the East course—it's the best test of your short game in the zip code.