Florida State has so much to offer for holidaymakers and tourists. Yes, there are big cities like Miami with its culture and nonstop nightlife, and Orlando with its world-famous attractions such as EPCOT and Disney World. However, there are also delightful pockets of smaller towns and villages, quieter places that offer a relaxing stay and entertainment for all ages. Places such as Boca Grande.
Boca Grande is a seaside community on Gasparilla Island, belonging to both Charlotte and Lee counties. The place is the perfect combination of urban and rural, with a multitude of options for a comfortable and leisurely stay. With a breathtaking view of the water and white sand beaches, it can be your ideal getaway.
This lovely village presents an opportunity not only for holidaymakers to experience a different Florida, it also offers investors and buyers the chance to own some fantastic properties. These can be used as holiday homes that generate income when not being used by their owners. They can also be an asset that becomes your primary residence should you one day decide that Florida is the place you’d like to eventually settle in.
If you’re planning to visit Boca Grande and possibly even explore your real estate options, you’ll want to know some of the best Boca Grande lodgings. Here we’ll provide some of the best locations from where you can enjoy the village and get a true feel of what it would be like to live in Boca Grande.
Boca Grande Accommodation
Though Boca Grande is relaxed and full of charm, its amenities for travelers are well-developed. For whatever purpose you might have for visiting this blue seascape community, there are plenty of places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida. Among the different kinds of accommodations are luxury and historical hotels, resorts with access to the water, and budget options that still provide a great holiday experience.
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Top Hotels And Resorts In Boca Grande, Florida
For many, one of the first things on your requirements for places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida would be beach access. The best hotels and resorts in town have just that.
Gasparilla Inn and Club
Founded in 1913, the Gasparilla Inn and Club is the longest-running hotel in town. This place is full of memories and its design reflects its historical roots. But don’t confuse its age with its services. Gasparilla Inn offers a wide range of amenities that accommodate the 21st-century traveler. It has a fully equipped gym and guests can also play tennis on one of their seven available courts. You can even polish your game with coaching by appointment through the hotel.
Of course, the location is one of its best features since it’s right on the beach. Aside from swimming, guests can also go kayaking or sailing with the establishment having its own marina. After a full day of water activities, you can go and relax at the spa to prepare for some fine dining at its gourmet restaurant. Needless to say, it’s probably one of the grandest places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida.
Boca Grande Hotel
Probably the most family-friendly option is the Boca Grande Hotel. Second only to the Gasparilla Inn, this is a more budget-friendly accommodation. It still has a classic vibe with a great restaurant and pool. Though it is a little further from the town center, there are golf carts for rent. In just a 15-minute ride from the hotel to the main area of Boca Grande, you can take in some great sights of the island. The hotel staff is very accommodating and willing to give suggestions to anyone unfamiliar with the area. We highly recommend taking a trip to climb the Gasparilla Lighthouse, particularly near sunset, to get an amazing view.
The Innlet on the Waterfront
The Innlet is a transformed hotel in a serene area. It has a great waterfront with options to have your room open right towards the boardwalk where there are lounge options. Alternatively, you can get a courtyard room for quick access to its charming pool and for larger groups, they have plenty of adjoining rooms for convenience. The Innlet embodies “Old Florida,” characteristic of Gasparilla Island itself, with the advantage of all-air-conditioned rooms that have a kitchenette. Their onsite restaurant, The Outlet, is a must-try and is considered one of the best breakfast spots in town. The Innlet is just a short walk away from public beaches with stunning sunsets.
Boutique Inns And Bed & Breakfasts
The Palmetto Inn
The Palmetto Inn is one of the best-located places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida. It’s nestled in the heart of the community and most of the attractions are walkable from this boutique hotel. Each room is uniquely decorated, reflecting the island’s coastal vibe. Many people who have stayed here have commented about the 5-star neighborhood surrounding this location.
If you’re planning to see as many sites as possible, this option might be the one for you. The rooms are spacious and are able to accommodate a large number of people. They also have amenities such as air conditioning (a must when the weather gets warmer or if you’re not used to Florida’s humidity), a mini fridge, and a kitchenette. This option is for those on a budget who still want to make the most of their stay in Boca Grande.
The Anchor Inn
Another place with a great location is The Anchor Inn. More apartments than Inn, this place offers privacy and spaciousness that will make you feel like a resident in Boca Grande. With some units having two stories, this is a place to maybe daydream of living on the wonderful Gasparilla Island. Anchor Inn has a nice pool that’s great for a warm dip after dinner. By the pool is a grill free to use for any guests, with a bakery nearby along with the other main shops in the center of town. With its historic origins, The Anchor Inn might just be Boca Grande’s best-kept secret.
Vacation Rentals And Cottages
Seagrape Colony Villas
What’s a vacation without a little luxury? One of the newest places to stay in Boca Grande is Seagrape Colony Villas. Functioning as a luxury rental, booking this accommodation will give you access to a three-bedroom modern villa with a porch and pool. Located in the upscale real estate neighborhood of Seagrape Colony, all units have a beautiful view of the water.
Space and privacy are the two great features of this place, with wide windows to provide natural lighting and appliances to make your stay relaxing. Each villa also has two bathrooms! There’s nothing better than returning to great accommodation after a full day of visiting the Gasparilla Island State Park or the Boca Grande Historical Society and Museum. As the day winds down, sit on the private porch to enjoy the sun going down over pristine waters. It may be more expensive than the other options, but this one is worth the extra cost.
Boca Grande Beach Cottages
Similar to the villas, there are beach cottages that you can rent when you want the comfort of the indoor-outdoor feel of a cottage with the privacy and space of an actual home. There are a few cottages in Boca Grande in upscale neighborhoods that provide a lush experience, with a beachfront that will get you your own stretch of sand. The decor is island living at its finest with wide windows and sea breeze, complete with a beautiful blue view from the inside and outside on the private porch. The kitchen is updated with a gas stove and fully equipped with appliances like coffeemakers, a blender, and an oven.
Keep in mind that these rentals are not places for hosting large groups. Usually, they only accommodate four guests at a time with around two bedrooms, with strict rules since your neighbors will be actual residents of the community. Still, it’s a guarantee of good accommodation, plus the locations are usually under 2 miles away from the main area of Boca Grande.
Blissfully Serene Palm Cottage
One unique find in the historic part of Boca Grande is the Blissfully Serene Palm Cottage which can be found on Vrbo. Originally built in 1926, guests can enjoy staying in a place right in the heart of the city. This place is just a block or two away from most other attractions of Boca Grande. It has mostly retained its exterior, but the interior has been fully updated. The structure has been well maintained over the decades and everything on the inside is new with the intention of renting. The accommodation is spacious with two guest bedrooms plus one master bedroom that’s located in its own separate wing of the house for privacy. Though not directly on the beach, it’s still just a quick walk over to public ones and everything else is completely walkable. Alternatively, you can rent a golf cart to do your exploring.
Sea Oats Condominiums
One of the most frequented accommodations in Boca Grande is Sea Oats Condominiums. Quite a few of them are available for rent, so you’ll probably be beside a few other vacationers if you stay here. As you check in, you’ll notice how each unit has a small but nice front porch for morning relaxation or to keep an eye on your kids if they’re at the onsite pool. The back windows face the ocean and the beach is accessible from the other side of the property. As for the condos themselves, they’re quite spacious, often having two to three rooms available. On top of that, these condominiums are in a great location so you’ll only have to walk a few minutes to get to the different popular restaurants and attractions of Boca Grande.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations
When we say budget-friendly places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida, we mean places that are very affordable yet provide very decent accommodation. Thankfully, a lot of what Boca Grande has to offer is accessible to most budgets. Among the hotels mentioned, The Boca Grande Hotel and the Palmetto Inn are some of the most reasonably priced but best hotels in Boca Grande Florida, but if you’re looking to save more, here are some great options.
Vrbo or Airbnb
Since Boca Grande has become a favorite tourist site for those looking for a quieter area of Florida where the fishing is great and the beaches are stunning, a lot of real estate has opened up for vacation rentals. Sites like Vrbo and Airbnb have a good range of rentable places that let you see upfront how much it would cost to stay per night. A few even go as low as $100, but expect to be a bit of a drive away from the main area of the island.
Usually, a place on one of these sites will be a cottage with at least two bedrooms, so there’s adequate space depending on how many people are coming along. They also come with complete kitchens and accessible transportation for those who want to hitch a ride to the white sand beaches of Boca Grande proper. Just be prepared to shoulder cleaning fees and website charges when using these services.
Location and Proximity to Attractions
Once you make a decision on where to stay, it’s time to go sightseeing and make the most of your stay at Boca Grande. Whether you’re planning on two nights or a whole week, you’ll come to appreciate everything Boca Grande has to offer with proper pacing.
Restaurants
Being so close to the sea and an area famed for its great fishing, Boca Grande has exceptional restaurants. The Pink Elephant offers a diverse menu from seafood to steak. The Temptation Restaurant has beloved lobster bisque and fried shrimp dishes. 3rd Street Cafe offers Mediterranean cuisine along with American favorites. All of these are accessible to most nearby accommodations, so you could try a different place each day of your stay.
Activities and Historical Sites
Going to the beach isn’t the only thing you can do in Boca Grande. There are so many activities to try out and create experiences you’ll want to relive over and over. As mentioned earlier, there’s visiting the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse with its 134 steps or the Boca Grande Historical Society. At the Gasparilla State Park, you can go fishing or snorkeling. If you bring your own boat, you can dock at the Boca Grande Marina. Cyclists can discover the length of the land on the Boca Grande Bike Path. At the north end of the island, there are glass-bottom kayaks for rent. Lastly, it needs to be mentioned, that tarpon season here is the grandest there is. Thousands of dollars of prizes can be won when doing your tarpon fishing at Boca Grande.
Visit and Fall in Love with Boca Grande
At this point, you’ve enough options to make a decision on the best places to stay in Boca Grande, Florida. The island and all its beauty have a special space in the hearts of many vacations. Some people liked it so much they decided to buy a home here, which can be a reality for you too once you experience island living here.
We at the Gulf Coast Integrity Group can help you search for a place. Owned and managed by some of the best realtors in southwest Florida, we go above and beyond to give our clients their dream island life in Boca Grande. If you’re looking to do the same, contact us at 941.626.4518 or 941.539.3746 or leave us a message here. Discover another part of Florida with Gulf Coast Integrity Group.
