The Old Carrabelle Hotel: A Forgotten Coast Gem, Restored and Reimagined

OCH • January 30, 2025

The Old Carrabelle Hotel: A Forgotten Coast Gem, Restored and Reimagined

There’s something special about walking into a historic inn and feeling both its age and its renewal. That’s exactly the experience we wanted to create when our family took stewardship of The Old Carrabelle Hotel — a lovingly restored 1890s property that’s been brought back to life with modern comforts, refined southern charm, and just a touch of coastal whimsy.

Over the past year, we’ve worked room by room, beam by beam, to reimagine the hotel experience for today’s travelers while honoring the building’s timeless character.



A Modern Refresh with Historic Soul

Inside each of our five guest rooms, you’ll now find all-new furnishings, bedding, and paint, designed to blend historic detail with understated coastal style. Every piece — from the crisp white duvets to the warm wood accents — was chosen to make guests feel like they’ve found a peaceful hideaway rather than just a place to stay.


We also made important upgrades behind the scenes. The entire property is now equipped with smart bulbs, keyless access codes, and security cameras to keep our guests comfortable and safe. Our new guest management software seamlessly connects to Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia, allowing guests to check in with a simple text and enjoy fully automated door codes, SMS concierge messages, and instant feedback surveys.


Tech Meets Hospitality

Our partnership with Guesty and new ECRM tools helps us stay connected to guests long after checkout — sharing local updates, seasonal offers, and the kind of thoughtful touches that turn first-time visitors into returning friends. It’s a modern layer of hospitality built on timeless southern courtesy.


The Finishing Touches

We’ve introduced a new line of citrus-scented bath products, chosen for their clean, coastal fragrance that evokes the Florida sun. For those looking to indulge, our Spa Package adds plush robes, locally sourced products, and a few quiet hours of restoration.

Downstairs, guests can browse our retail shop, featuring Hotelier Turndown™ linens and lifestyle goods, along with a curated collection of Florida and flamingo-inspired gifts — a bright reflection of Carrabelle’s playful side.


The People Behind the Welcome

Every transformation needs a heart, and ours belongs to Gigi, our hotel manager and local host extraordinaire. From coordinating renovations to welcoming guests personally, she’s been the heartbeat of our revival — and a true ambassador for hospitality on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

(Photo: Gigi during restoration, bringing new life to the Old Carrabelle Hotel)

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March 17, 2026
In its recent guide to Carrabelle, the magazine captured something that locals and longtime visitors already know: this small town on Florida’s Forgotten Coast has a rare kind of charm. It is quieter here. Slower. More genuine. And for those of us who love The Old Carrabelle Hotel, it was lovely to see Travel + Leisure describe the experience as a glimpse of what vacationing here was like “back in the day.” That phrase stayed with us, because in many ways, that is exactly what we hope guests feel when they arrive. The Old Carrabelle Hotel was never meant to be rushed through. It is the kind of place where people settle in. They sit on the veranda a little longer than they planned. They pour a drink and end up talking with someone they just met. They come back from the beach with takeout, tuck a few things into the shared kitchen, put something on ice, and head back outside to enjoy the evening air. Our hotel has always been about simple pleasures done well. A beautiful courtyard. Covered verandas. Rows of rocking chairs upstairs. Individual bistro tables outside for coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at dusk. The kind of spaces that naturally invite people to look up from their phones, say hello, and remember that some of the best parts of travel are the unplanned ones. That is part of Carrabelle’s charm, too. This is not the Florida of high-rises, velvet ropes, and overscheduled itineraries. Carrabelle still feels personal. It still feels neighborly. You can still spend a day exploring the coast, watching the boats, enjoying fresh seafood, and returning somewhere that feels welcoming rather than transactional. Travel + Leisure captured that spirit beautifully in its guide, and we were honored to be included in the story. For us, the mention is not just exciting because of the publication, though of course that is an honor. It is exciting because it affirms what we have always believed about this little hotel and this little town: that there is real luxury in comfort, warmth, history, and human connection. So yes, we were delighted to see Carrabelle get a moment in the spotlight. And yes, we've worked hard on the hotel too, and will continue to steward it's role in the community. But more than anything, we were happy to see a wider audience notice what we have always loved about this place: the old Florida charm, the slower pace, the easy hospitality, and the simple joy of gathering on a porch and watching the day go by. If you have been here before, you already know. And if you have not, we would love to welcome ya'll home.
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