Gasparilla Inn Historic District, Historic resort district in Boca Grande, United States.
Gasparilla Inn Historic District is a resort property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, located on the island of Boca Grande in Lee County, Florida, featuring a two-story wooden main hotel alongside private cottages, villas, and beach houses. The grounds extend close to the Gulf Coast shoreline and also include tennis courts and other outdoor facilities.
The original building was constructed in 1909 by the Boca Grande Land Company with just 20 rooms, then expanded over the following decades by architect Francis J. Kennard. Those early changes turned a modest inn into one of Florida's first large resort properties.
The resort keeps traditions from Florida's early tourism era alive, including afternoon tea service and regional cooking that have been part of the guest experience for generations. These small rituals give the place a character that sets it apart from more modern resorts.
The property sits on an island reachable only by boat or ferry, so arrival needs to be planned in advance. The resort is open mainly from October through July, which makes those months the best time to visit.
The golf course within the grounds was designed by Pete Dye, a designer known for courses that challenge players with unusual obstacles and sharp contrasts in terrain. It is one of the few resorts in Florida where a golf round and a National Register property share the same address.
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