Seven Lakes

Pros

• The golf course is nice and very well maintained.
• There are several pools and lots of activities for seniors to enjoy.
• It is a private course bundled with ownership and offers the best deal in SW Florida.
• Seven Lakes residents are very friendly and welcoming.
• The renovations to the golf course are great.
• The community offers a multitude of amenities and is expanding the tennis courts.
• The Tee Room is a fabulous restaurant.
• The executive golf course was rebuilt last summer and is very well kept.

Cons

• The association is repeatedly imposing new assessments on already high HOA fees, with few improvements.
• Golfers follow no rules and constantly hit villas with golf balls and drive their carts through yards up to people's patios, while the association does nothing to enforce rules.
• The board of directors seems to sponsor high salaries for themselves instead of funneling dues into improvements and free activities.
• Fees have skyrocketed and new charges have been added to the already elevated costs for golf and tennis.
• Residents pay almost $1,000 per month and are nickel-and-dimed for extras like a $5 bag-tag, with players being chased on the course to collect.
• The new golf pro Troy is extremely rude and disrespectful to elders and should be let go.
• The general manager Henry failed to show up for a scheduled appointment and did not call to cancel, an act perceived as rude.
• The transition to online signups for tournaments leaves many members unable to navigate it, benefiting the pro rather than the members.
• The aging infrastructure and buildings need updates, and the course needs some work.

Review

This community comes across in these reviews as a large, private, senior-focused golf and country club that offers a bundled lifestyle: your home, a top-tier golf course, tennis, pools, and a wide array of activities all packaged together for residents. Many writers describe it as the best deal in Southwest Florida for those who want a self-contained, activity-rich environment. The sense of pride in ownership and in the private nature of the club shines through, with repeated emphasis that the course and amenities are designed to be enjoyed by residents who have invested in the community.

The amenities are a major selling point. Reviewers consistently point to a well-maintained golf course and well-kept buildings and villas. There are multiple pools and a broad slate of activities tailored to seniors, along with a central social hub that includes a notable restaurant known as the Tee Room. The complex also features tennis courts (which are undergoing renovations to expand to include a central patio with seating and BBQ) and other recreational options. Even people who visit for specific niches, like golf or dining, often remark on the friendliness of staff and residents, as well as the welcoming atmosphere. The overall vibe is that of a thriving, active community where there is always something to do.

On the golf front, several reviews highlight the course as a standout, particularly for an executive-style layout. In some cases, the course had undergone substantial work, with a renovation cited as having happened last summer, bringing improvements such as updated cart paths, greens, and fairways. Even with the executive designation, many players describe the course as challenging and enjoyable, with greens described as fast and greenside features as engaging. Visitors can pay a fee (about $60 in one review) to play, while residents often play for free and may have their own carts, which reinforces the sense that the facility is built around resident access and value. The renovations and ongoing improvements contribute to a perception that the course is continually being upgraded to maintain high standards.

Beyond golf, the community is praised for its social fabric. Residents and guests alike describe a welcoming, friendly culture, with comments about how Seven Lakes residents in particular are very friendly and welcoming. The variety of activities and the sense of a close-knit, neighborly environment add to the appeal, making it easy for residents to feel at home and for visitors to leave impressed by the warmth of the community. The combination of a strong social calendar, accessible yet quality amenities, and the private-gated feeling of ownership contributes to why many people view this as an excellent place to live.

However, the reviews do not shy away from serious criticisms. A recurring theme is frustration with management and the governance of the association. Some owners describe the HOA as expensive and growing noisily with new assessments and added fees for golf and tennis. One review notes an almost $1,000 per month expense, with additional charges such as a bag-tag fee, all of which are described as nickel-and-diming. There is particular ire directed at management practices, including the perception that administrative changes (like online signups) have benefited staff or the golf pro more than the members. Specific individuals were called out by name in a couple of reviews for perceived poor behavior or poor handling of member relations, including a golf pro accused of being rude to elders and a general manager who allegedly failed to show up for a scheduled appointment. The sentiment is that this management shift is driving a wedge between residents and the operations they feel should be serving them.

Enforcement and policy enforcement are another pain point for some reviewers. Reports describe issues with rule enforcement - golf balls frequently finding villas and driving carts through yards and up to patios - with little apparent activity from the association to curb these behaviors. These concerns suggest a disconnect between the community's rules, the day-to-day experiences of residents and guests, and how the association enforces or communicates expectations. In addition, there are concerns that the system for signing up for tournaments or other activities has become overly complicated, with some residents feeling that the changes do not accommodate their preferred ways of participating, particularly for those who may be less tech-savvy.

Despite these criticisms, many reviewers feel the positives outweigh the negatives. The place is repeatedly described as beautiful, well-maintained, and full of life, with people who enjoy the amenities and the social environment. The renovations to the golf course and the ongoing tennis court improvements are seen as signs that the community is continuing to invest in its future. For some, the private, bundled model remains an ideal setup - residents receive access to a robust suite of facilities, and the lifestyle remains highly desirable. The balance of high-quality living spaces, an active social calendar, and a strong sense of community is the thread that ties the varied experiences together.

In the end, the overall impression is mixed but leaning positive for those who prioritize a high-amenity, private, senior-friendly lifestyle in Southwest Florida. The community offers a compelling package: a well-kept executive golf course, extensive recreational options, and a social ecosystem that many residents find deeply satisfying. Yet, it also presents real frustrations around cost, management, and rule enforcement that can sour the experience for those who feel the governance is not aligned with resident interests. The combination of a strong physical environment, a warm community spirit, and ongoing investments in facilities coexists with concerns about fees, administrative changes, and the treatment of some staff and residents - forming a nuanced portrait of a place that is loved by many but not without its governance-related tensions.

This area of Fort Myers, Florida, offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living needs. With several well-known restaurant chains such as Olive Garden and Chick-Fil-A within close proximity, there are plenty of dining options for residents. Additionally, nearby pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens provide convenient access to medications and healthcare supplies. For medical services, reputable physicians' offices such as Joint Implant Surgeons of Florida and Lee Cancer Clinic are located nearby. In case of emergencies, Gulf Coast Hospital is just 0.6 miles away. The presence of cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread offer great spots for socializing or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. Overall, this part of Fort Myers provides a balanced mix of essential services and recreational facilities that would suit the needs and interests of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• Olive Garden (0.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Dave & Buster's (0.4 miles)
• Culver's (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• KFC (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Joint Implant Surgeons of Florida (0.3 miles)
• Frantz Cosmetic Center (0.5 miles)
• Lee Cancer Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Florida Cancer Specialists (0.6 miles)
• Associates in Digestive Health (0.6 miles)
• Florida Neurology Group (0.6 miles)
• Troast & Associates (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Lee Pharmacy - Gulf Coast Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Gulf Coast Medical Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Belltower (0.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Gulf Coast Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Lee Health (3.7 miles)
• The Children's Rehabilitation Center - Bass Rd (3.7 miles)
• Lee Health Cardiovascular Services - HealthPark Commons (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (1.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Cecilia's Catholic Church (2.5 miles)
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Jaycee Park (3.8 miles)