Gasparilla Inn & Club

"Prestigious playground"

Our extended family had a memorable reunion at this historical Florida resort.  Only open seasonally from mid-October through June, this is a picture perfect retreat on Florida's Gulf Coast about an hour south of Sarasota.  The staff easily caters to everyone and special touches are the norm.  The guys loved playing on the 18-hole golf course (right on the waterfront) and also going out in the Gulf of Mexico for sport fishing.  They did not bring their catch back but the stories they told were priceless!  The girls relaxed on the beach and also on the porches of our cottages.  We explored the marina and even played a few games of doubles tennis since the weather was incredible.  The rooms are spacious, well appointed and full of sunshine.  We had fun learning to play billiards in the Pelican Club Room.  The teens were glad that there's Internet access everywhere -- even by the pool!  We had a blast riding bikes, playing table tennis and taking tours of the Inn.  The restaurants offer an incredible variety of food from formal to casual and handled our little picky eaters with food arranged so beautifully that they could not resist taking more than a few bites.  We did not go for any spa treatments but the spa area is beautiful.  The kids keep asking when we can go back to build more sandcastles on the beach!  We just want to go back for the tasty treats at BZ's.