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1913
The Gasparilla Inn
Boca Grande, Florida
The Gasparilla Inn
PO Box 1088, Boca Grande, Florida 33921 Original Property Opened in 1913 Historic Hotels of America member since 2007- The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List Is Announced
- The 2021 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Historic Golf Courses Announced
- 2022 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Historic Golf Courses List Announced
- The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List Is Announced
tours
Guests are able to experience the feeling of Florida, as it was meant to be, at The Gasparilla Inn. This classic resort, open seasonally from October to July, is located in the heart of Gasparilla Island’s Boca Grande and has been a premier destination along Florida’s Gulf Coast since 1913. With its pale yellow wooden frame and Victorian-style gable roofs, The Inn offers a true taste of “old Florida” with 163 charming hotel and cottage accommodations. This grand resort not only offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and Charlotte Harbor but a variety of resort amenities, including the Pete Dye championship golf course and an expansive beach club with a full-service spa, salon, and private beach.
Discover
- Admire the historic inn, originally built between 1911 and 1915. The president of the Boca Grande Land Company, Peter Bradley, designed the Gasparilla Inn to resemble the New England resorts of Newport and Mount Desert Island. Subsequent owners have added different architectural elements throughout the inn’s storied history, including the stately front portico. The structure’s pale-yellow wooden frame, white-pillared entrance, and gabled roofs quickly became a symbol of coastal Florida charm, and the inn has since played host to many notable guests, including Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, and Katharine Hepburn.
- Discover the landmarks of Gasparilla Island. The Boca Grande Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and features 25 acres of historic structures, including Gasparilla Inn. The Boca Grande Community House (originally the Island School), the railroad depot, and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church highlight Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. On the water, the weather-worn Whidden’s Marina has operated since 1926 and remains a symbol of the area’s bustling fishing industry.
- Discover the coastal flora of Gasparilla Island. The iconic Banyan trees along Gasparilla Island’s block-long Banyan Street were planted around 1915 and are a charming natural centerpiece of Boca Grande. Native mangroves stabilize the island’s shorelines, while towering Sabal Palms create an iconic Floridian landscape.
Explore
- Cast a line and explore why Boca Grande is known as the “Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World.” Sport fishing season at the Boca Grande Pass runs from May to July, and guests can charter an angling adventure with a local captain through the inn’s concierge. Gasparilla’s waters are also home to grouper, snapper, and kingfish.
- Bike under Banyan trees and down charming palm-lined streets to discover Boca Grande. With no traffic lights, golf carts and bicycles are the way to explore island. The five-mile-long public Bike Path follows the historic rail trail that was the site of the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad from 1907 to 1979.
- Explore the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse was built in 1890 to guide ships into Charlotte Harbor. The port no longer exists, but the light still functions as a Coast Guard light. The historic lighthouse is open to the public and is stewarded by the Barrier Island Parks Society and Gasparilla Island State Park.
Experience
- Experience the timeless hospitality of Gasparilla Inn at the historic hotel’s Beach Club. Located along a stunning stretch of private shoreline, The Beach Club is a serene retreat with pools and shaded lounge areas. Guests can enjoy delightful daily luncheons and beverages poolside, all in relaxed elegance.
- Experience a sunset on the Gulf Coast. Travel to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse for spectacular views or join a sunset cruise organized by the inn to enjoy the evening spectacle from the water.
- Take to the surrounding waters of the Gulf Coast. Miles of protected islands make the area a sanctuary ready to be experienced via kayaking, paddle board, or snorkeling.
Taste
- Taste fresh, locally-caught seafood like grouper, stone crab, and snapper on the area’s menus. Restaurants at Gasparilla Inn feature dishes like fish tacos and grouper sandwiches made with the catch of the day.
- Sip a signature island cocktail. With passion fruit rum, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice, The Gaspartini is the inn’s tropical take on a martini. Served at The Pink Elephant, the Spicy Pink is a local favorite that combines jalapeño tequila, lime, and fresh watermelon juice.
- Join the inn for specialty dining experiences at The Beach Club. Whether an upscale waterfront dinner or a family cookout with beachside views, these evenings embrace the relaxed social life of Gasparilla Island and are sure to provide lifelong memories.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
