The Gasparilla goes out of its way to make sure you're happy. The location and facilities are beautiful (fabulous adult pool in the spa), the food is very good (excellent breakfast), and the service is outstanding. When one glitch threatened to significantly diminish our vacation, the manager did what he could to make it right. A special shoutout to Mario at the beach restaurant and Stephanie in the dining room. We look forward to returning!

Elegant historic hotel with food service, high tea in the afternoon and a fabulous beach club within walking distance but no beach access at this time due to the lack of stairs - so that’s weird. Nevertheless it’s a good hotel if you’ve got the money. The clientele are almost exclusively WASPS from South Carolina and expensive northern suburbs. It’s all Lilly Pulitzer and men in peach colored burmuda shorts (their kids are similarly dressed) - so if that’s your scene you’ll enjoy it. There were no black, Asian, Hispanic guests while we were there. It’s a bit out of the old south on an island that reminded us of the movie “GET OUT!” But again, if that’s your thing g you’ll love it.

We visited for our friends birthday event. We utilized the cottages for our trip. Absolutely fabulous. We had a golf cart for touring while we were here and it was wonderful. The staff were incredible keeping us returning time and again. The golf course renovation is beautiful. Dinner in the main dining room was a truly memorable event. We Absolutely will return. It has been one of our happy places.

First time guests at the Gasparilla Inn. Because we preferred less formal and ground level accommodations, we chose a "cottage" which unfortunately is a very small hotel room with a bed and one small chair. Not appreciated. Highly recommend an upgrade to room with lanai. Also, be aware that your cottage room will likely have a locked off adjoining room which is convenient for families but certainly not for privacy. You will overhear conversations, bathrooms, and tv/music from the adjoining room. Very disturbing, like a cheap hotel sorry to say. Inn atmosphere described as "Old Florida"? Translation: "Old Florida Money". The Inn itself basically caters to the economically and socially elite. Attire is designer trunk show. As far as dining, we enjoyed the formal Inn restaurant for dinner twice but the food is surprisingly unremarkable. Recommend to order steak so you won't be disappointed with chef's preparations. The Pink Elephant Restaurant however was very enjoyable, good food, great service! The Outlet at Inlet which was recommended for casual breakfast is okay not great. Thankfully there are also nearby restaurants which were very good including Mimi's, Temptations, Key Lime, Eagle Grill. Last but not least, many thanks to the Jamaican service staff who were extremely solicitous and polite and added some much appreciated lightheartedness to a stoic atmosphere.

Gasparilla Observations The bar was open in the morning for coffee and since we had no coffee pods for the in-room machine in a cottage, we had to walk from the cottage to the bar for coffee in the morning. The first bartender was attentive and congenial. He made a special ordered drink at the table where we were sitting in the afternoon. Well done. The second bartender we had was slow to come to us, made the special drink at the bar, took 20 minutes to get a shrimp cocktail, and we had to ask for our tab to close out. The cottage room was very small. The makeup remover provided burned the face. The Keurig pot had no tea or coffee pods for the three days of our stay. There was only one night stand with little room for luggage. The room was very clean. The room service was completed almost immediately. With the weather an issue, walking to and from the inn was a problem. Umbrellas were provided in the room. If we would ever return, we would only go if there was a room available in the inn. Dining- The food was excellent. The morning omelette station was very good and the chef was personable. The cinnamon roll was tasty. The latte was cold. I asked to warm it with some coffee and it was not warm either. Holiday decorations were lovely. The doorman was always welcoming. Cookies and apples were available at the front desk Nice parting gift.