A true ambassador of the Forgotten Coast, Gigi brings both warmth and polish to her role as manager and innkeeper of The Old Carrabelle Hotel. A Florida resident for more than twenty years, she has built a life around the art of hospitality—welcoming guests as though they’re old friends, and ensuring each stay reflects the ease, kindness, and understated charm that define coastal living. With a mother’s intuition and an explorer’s heart, Gigi knows every hidden corner of this coast—from the best oysters in Apalachicola to the quietest stretch of beach on St. George Island. She’s as quick to offer a local dining tip as she is to share a story about Carrabelle’s colorful maritime past. For Gigi, caring for guests is more than a profession—it’s a calling rooted in connection, comfort, and curiosity. Her days often begin before sunrise, when the light over the bay turns golden and the hotel’s courtyard hums with birdsong. Whether arranging fresh flowers, checking in new arrivals, or simply swapping stories on the porch, she embodies the welcoming grace that has made The Old Carrabelle Hotel a beloved retreat for travelers from near and far.

Tucked along Florida’s fabled Forgotten Coast, The Old Carrabelle Hotel stands as a timeless reminder of when travel was as much about the journey as the destination. Originally built in 1880, this five-room inn has been lovingly restored to capture the spirit of Old Florida—where porches creak softly in the morning breeze, ceiling fans turn lazily overhead, and the scent of salt air mingles with jasmine from the courtyard garden. Every detail at The Old Carrabelle Hotel tells a story. Handcrafted furniture, vintage architectural touches, and carefully curated artwork pay homage to the home’s historic soul, while modern comforts—luxury linens, smart TVs, premium mattresses, and high-speed Wi-Fi—make for an effortlessly relaxed stay. Each guest room bears its own name and personality, offering privacy and a sense of discovery, as though one is visiting an elegant coastal friend. Guests are invited to unwind beneath the live oaks, linger over a glass of wine on the wraparound porch, or wander just a few blocks to the Carrabelle River and its working waterfront. Whether visiting for a romantic weekend, a Gulf adventure, or a quiet writer’s retreat, this landmark inn bridges the charm of the past with the ease of the present. The Old Carrabelle Hotel remains, above all, a love letter to simple Southern luxury—where hospitality is personal, time slows, and every guest is welcomed home.

Carrabelle is one of those rare coastal towns that still whispers rather than shouts—a place where the rhythm of life follows the tides, and stories are carried on the salt breeze. Once a thriving fishing port and shipbuilding hub, Carrabelle remains the heart of Florida’s Forgotten Coast, a stretch of untamed shoreline between Apalachicola and St. Marks that time has graciously preserved. The town’s streets are lined with weathered cottages and palms, its harbor dotted with shrimp boats and sail masts that glitter in the sun. Visitors can stroll the Carrabelle Riverwalk, explore the Crooked River Lighthouse, or set off on a day of fishing, kayaking, or beachcombing on nearby Dog Island. Yet Carrabelle’s charm lies as much in its quiet moments as in its adventures—the sound of seagulls at dawn, a shared meal of just-caught seafood, or a sunset viewed from the marina docks. Beyond Carrabelle, the Forgotten Coast unfolds like a living postcard: the historic oyster boats of Apalachicola, the pristine sands of St. George Island, and the unspoiled forests of Tate’s Hell and Apalachicola National Forest. It’s a landscape where nature and nostalgia coexist beautifully—and where The Old Carrabelle Hotel sits at the center of it all, offering guests a front-row seat to one of Florida’s last true coastal treasures.