Boca Grande Archives - Page 7 of 9

Christmas at the Gasparilla Inn

December 21, 2020

Christmas at the Gasparilla Inn

Dress (also) (similar) || Wedges || Handbag || Bracelet

Christmas in Florida just hits differently. While I’ll love seeing the winter wonderland from my friends in NYC, I’m still feeling pretty grateful for spending the holiday season in my home state. The decorations are still festive, but we get to add our own spin of palm trees and Santa at the beach. Earlier in the month, I visited the always stunning Gasparilla Inn and got the biggest dose of holiday cheer. Truly, no one does it better!

Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida, Banjanan

For the day trip to Boca Grande, I was still decked out in holiday red and green. This floral maxi dress from Banjanan is perfect for a Floridian Christmas. It’s an equal combination of dressy and laidback, which is exactly what you can expect during a stay at the Gasparilla Inn. Wearing my red Castaner espadrilles proves that they can be worn from summer through winter. I felt like a younger Mrs. Claus on her post-Christmas vacation.

Inside the hotel, the Christmas spirit is alive and well. The contrast of the green and red just seems brighter against the yellow halls. Even the Writing Room, my favorite spot in the entire hotel, is elevated for the holidays with a holly garnished fireplace mantel. Take a stroll to the Beach Club and they have the prettiest Christmas tree. Floridian flora and fauna ornaments are strongly encouraged, but not required. Don’t forget to sip a fruity cocktail to remind you that you’re still in the Sunshine State.

Now that we’re in the Christmas week, I’m in full holiday mode. I’m looking forward to a small, intimate family dinner followed by a week of relaxation. No matter what the forecast calls for, snow or sunshine, enjoy the final days of the year 2020 and all of the festivities that go with it.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Florida Weekend Destinations

August 18, 2020

Florida Weekend Destinations

Florida, weekend trips, sunshine state, travel

Dress || Sandals ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Handbag || Earrings

With back to school and fall fashion starting to take the forefront, it seems like summer is starting to wind down. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to hold onto my favorite season for dear life. That means keeping my closet cheerful and daydreaming of last minute weekend trips to some of my favorite Florida destinations. If you’re a fellow Floridian, and itching for some change of scenery, here are my favorite ideas for quick (even last-minute) weekend trips in the Sunshine State.

St. Petersburg

Well of course I have to start with my very own city as an option! If you haven’t visited St. Pete recently, my how it has grown! One of the reasons I love living here is because it’s turning into such an art and culture hub. We have so many art museums, music venues, a cherished brewery scene, and quick access to Gulf beaches. Our newest attraction, the Pier, has helped revitalize our Tampa Bay waterfront. Stay at the Vinoy Hotel, right in the heart of downtown, for a quintessential St. Pete experience.

Boca Grande

David and I had the opportunity to visit Boca Grande at the beginning of the summer. It’s easy to say that it instantly became a family favorite. Just a quick drive away, you’re transported to Florida, how it was meant to be. The rush is gone and spending all day on the water is a way of life. While they don’t open again for the season until October, the Gasparilla Inn is the place to stay. Access to their private beach club, and front row view of turquoise waters, is worth the trip alone!

Miami

Can you believe I’m a lifelong Floridian, but my first visit to Miami wasn’t until March of this year! That being said, I can’t wait to go back and take David along for the ride. There’s so much to love about Miami and South Beach, it requires multiple weekend trips to truly see it all. City-musts include wondering the Art Deco District, visit the Wynwood Walls, and stuffing yourself with delicious Cuban food. For a place to hang your head, I had a chance to visit the Savoy and their staff was absolutely wonderful!

Islamorada

One of my best friends recently visited this Florida key with her family and I think it may be my next place to visit. Again, I lived here all my life, but have yet to see the Keys for myself. That needs to be fixed right away! Of course, we have to monitor potential tropical storms and hurricanes very closely. So, booking a stay at one of their hotels, probably the Checca Lodge, will be last minute. This will be all in the name for Key Lime Pie!

St. Augustine

Our state’s (and country’s) oldest city needs to make the list! St. Augustine is an absolute must visit for any Floridian. Of course, you have the huge historic element: Ponce de Leon, the Civil Rights Moment, and Henry Flagler. This town also has an amazing food culture to go along with it! One of my favorite restaurants, aptly named The Floridian, can be found here. Visit the fort, spend an afternoon on the beach, and get to know this little slice of Florida.

Apalachicola

This small town in Florida’s panhandle was a frequent day trip for me during my college days at FSU. It’s definitely a trek to get to, but an extremely picturesque one along the Emerald Coast. Since my last visit, Apalachicola has really started to get a second wind. Despite being hit by a Category 4 hurricane in 2019, it continues to rebound with new restaurants, boutiques, and the historic Gibson Inn. I was really hoping to get here at some point this summer, I’ll have to raincheck, perhaps during the fall.

Tallahassee

Why not take the time to get to know the Sunshine State’s capital city? I spent four great years living in Tallahassee, getting to know the town away from the college campus. Since FSU’s football games seem very unlikely this year, at least to the scale, it would be the perfect opportunity to see what else it has to offer. Because it’s farther from the coast, you can appreciate different outdoor pursuits, like the many hiking and biking trails. Work up an appetite and eat at some of my favorite college haunts. Gordo’s, Jim and Melts, or Cabo’s are just to name a few name a few.

Palm Beach

Maybe I’m saving the best for last, but there is something truly magical about Palm Beach. It’s so opulent, but somehow feels welcoming and familiar. It’s a city that helped put Florida on the map as a star tourist destination. I personally love Palm Beach for it’s antique shopping and picturesque alleyways. While visiting on my bachelorette weekend, we stayed at The Colony Hotel and it was the perfect home base for our visit.

From coast to coast, Florida just has so much to offer. Instead of hopping on a plane and jetting to some far distant location, stay close to home and learn to love even more of the Sunshine State.

Love from Florida,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Snapshots from the Gasparilla Inn

June 20, 2020

Snapshots from the Gasparilla Inn

T-Shirt || Jeans || Sandals || Clutch || Earrings || Bracelet

Even though it’s been in the 80s and 90s for weeks, I can officially say that summer is here! It is by far my favorite season and I think it all comes down to the feeling of opportunity. The days are longer, making the pace seemed more relaxed. In my mind, that’s totally worth the daily afternoon shower and outrageous humidity. I also love summer because it’s where the big bulk of my travel has happened, well during normal years. Since 2020 has been far from normal, I’ve swapped long distance destinations for places that are closer to my own backyard.

My number one recommendation for any and all Floridians? It hands down would have to be the Gasparilla Inn. A breeze of a 90 minute drive away from Tampa Bay, you feel instantly transported to different era and maybe a different country. The pace is slow, the town is stunning, and the water on the Gulf of Mexico is the prettiest shade of turquoise I’ve ever seen! There’s so much to love about this destination, but it’s the service that really blew mea way. Although it was our first visit, I was welcomed as if I had been coming for years. People take the effort to learn your name and that includes the regulars plus locals.

Another standout feature of this space is the incredibly unique decor style. It’s equal parts vintage and beach, but makes the grand-millennial in me swoon. So much love has been put into each area of the hotel. You’re guaranteed to find at least one nature element, lots of rattan, and the prettiest shades of pastel. It’s the kind of aesthetic that I would love to copy, but don’t think I could ever get quite right. The credit all goes to Kemble Interiors, a Palm Beach based design team that has 100% captured the quintessential Florida aesthetic.

That’s all folks! I’ve loved sharing my Gasparilla Inn content with you. It seriously a fest for the eyes and I can’t wait to make a return trip. Are you ready to book your next visit? Let me know if you have any more questions about my stay or the entire experience.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.