I’m at the age where I attend at least one wedding every quarter. As a result, I’ve gotten used to securing the last spot in a group Airbnb or splitting a stay at a large hotel chain. But when I checked into The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida, for the nuptials of my wonderful friends Teddy and Amanda, it was clear I was in for a completely different experience.

The historic hotel, voted the No. 1 resort in Florida by Travel + Leisure readers, offers a welcome taste of nostalgia in an era of hospitality when sleek modernism is the ethos du jour.

The main building, which first opened in 1913, is a grand Old Florida-style columned manor. Inside, guests mingle among bold island-inspired interiors, and a laid-back sense of classic formality permeates nearly every experience. There’s an enforced dress code, depending on the time of day, and I was always greeted with a “hello ma’am” by the uniformed staff members.

On our first night, my partner and I headed to BZ’s, a charming bar tucked off the main lobby, for a pre-welcome drink. The Kentucky Derby was being held in Louisville that same weekend, so, to celebrate the event, the space was anchored by a frozen ice sculpture of a horse, with pink and yellow fascinators everywhere I turned, and a whole lot of martinis being poured. 

The classic energy spilled well into the weekend. The next day, my partner—the chosen officiant—married Amanda and Teddy right on the hotel’s golf course, overlooking Charlotte Harbor. Then, everyone hopped on golf carts to the beach club to celebrate as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Here, my full review of The Gasparilla Inn.

The Rooms

The resort has 163 guest accommodations, including suites, spacious cottages, villas, and estate homes located on the surrounding blocks of the property. Guest rooms are as colorful and bright as the Inn itself, featuring accents like grass-green carpeting, butterfly wallpaper, and seashell-printed curtains.

Our Junior Suite featured a king-size bed and a desk, along with a separate sitting area with a couch and a TV. Here, my partner and I spent hours practicing his speech while we indulged in French fries delivered aptly by room service. What I loved most about staying in the resort’s main building was the direct access to the common spaces—just a staircase away—and the complimentary coffee and newspapers that were put out in the morning.

Food and Drink

While the hotel’s Main Dining Room offers more of a fine dining experience, restaurants like The Pink Elephant, The Beach Club, and the Inn Bakery highlight coastal Florida flavors in a laid-back setting.

My favorite meal was lunch at The Beach Club: a salmon and tuna chirashi bowl and mahi mahi dip. (Naturally, the fish was incredibly fresh.) My go-to breakfast order was an iced latte and bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from the Inn Bakery, located just a short walk from the main Inn. Bring your patience, though, as the line was often out the door in the early hours of the day.

Activities and Experiences

The Gasparilla Inn boasts 180 oceanfront acres. For the athletic type, there is a full-service tennis club with seven courts, as well as an 18-hole golf course and pro shop. In addition, there’s a fitness center with classes and personal training available. A marina services guests arriving by boat or those wishing to go fishing.

Complimentary on-site tours include a historic walking tour of the main building, a horticultural grounds tour, and a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen. There are golf carts and bicycles available for rent, too.

Family-friendly Offerings

In addition to all of the activities above, The Beach Club is the perfect place for families to hang out. It offers direct access to the beach and multiple swimming pools. In the surrounding area, there are several shops to pop into for locally made souvenirs, art, clothing, and more.

And don’t miss The Pink Pony, a neighborhood ice cream shop that has been serving scoops since 1988. 

The Spa

The Gasparilla Inn Spa is adjacent to the Beach Club. Here, guests can choose from a menu of signature treatments, massages, and spa packages, as well as enjoy amenities like saunas, relaxation lounges, a private courtyard, and an 80-foot heated lap pool. The salon next door offers hairdressing and nail care services.

While I did not have time for a treatment during my stay, I used the steam room and showers following a beach day on my final day at the hotel, which was a lovely send-off before my flight home. 

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Gasparilla Inn has several ADA-compliant guest rooms with either a king or two twin beds, a roll-in shower, and other accessibility features, such as a visual fire alarm system and a TTY phone upon request. The accessible guest rooms are located in cottages not too far from the main Inn building. 

Location

The Gasparilla Inn is set on the narrow stretch of Gasparilla Island, in its main hub, Boca Grande. The idyllic community is home to various mom-and-pop shops, a six-mile bike path, and a few eateries, such as the Italian-inspired Sisters Restaurant and Newlins, perfect for seafood staples like a lobster roll. The area is also known for some of the best tarpon fishing in the world.

The Gasparilla Inn’s Beach Club is about a 10-minute walk from the Inn. The championship golf course also has water views, looking over Charlotte Harbor and Florida’s Gulf Coast. 

The closest airport to Gasparilla Inn is Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), about 50 miles north of the resort.

Book Now

The Gasparilla Inn doesn’t participate in any points-based loyalty programs.

Nightly rates for the 2025/2026 season at The Gasparilla Inn start from $470. The hotel operates seasonally and closes from mid-July to early October.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.