Gibson Inn

The Gibson Inn makes Apalachicola’s history feel close at hand. Its original construction was completed in 1907, and the care put into capturing that period is clear as soon as you walk in. By 2026, the restoration had brought beautiful wood floors, stairs, finishes, and furnishings across the expansive property. The ship-lap and bead-board walls and distressed flooring suit the earlier era. I felt the warmth of the South walking past the newly built buildings with wraparound porches, old meandering oaks scarred by storms, and suites with balconies overlooking Apalachicola’s quaint downtown marketplace. My suite had gold bathroom fixtures, tile floors, a double shower, a classic mini fridge, and a coffee bar. I’d read mixed reviews, but found the pool, Jacuzzi, new rooms, and amenities welcoming and convenient. Free bicycles, golf-carts, and a lounge were available, and we enjoyed the food at the Franklin Cafe and the Parlor Bar. The Oyster Rockerfellers were amazing, as other reviews have mentioned. We also tried the Fried Oysters, Shrimp Scampi, and Crab Cakes at The Gibson Inn restaurant, The Franklin Cafe. We ate elsewhere at Hole in the Wall for Raw Oysters, had an outdoor picnic-table meal beside the Water Craft brewery, and tried the Biscuit Factory. All were great additions to the trip. In my guide’s opinion, The Gibson Inn is a unique historic place to stay right in downtown Apalachicola, Florida. This gem beats the tourist spots and crowds of Destin, the Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City, and the boots and spurs found in Perry-Foley and River Ranch, Florida. If you love seafood and want to avoid crowds, visit the Forgotten Coast, Apalachicola, FL before it’s found, and give The Gibson Inn, The Franklin Cafe, and the Parlor Bar a try. Wow!

We had dinner there with our family. Our waitress was extremely nice and the service was good, but the food was horrible. The dishes weren’t made as ordered. The steak had no seasoning and was overcooked, and the fries were plainly frozen fries with no seasoning. They got the drinks wrong, and they were out of a lot of ingredients. The problems kept adding up. Save your money and go somewhere with good flavor.

The young woman at the front desk was lovely when we arrived. The hotel is a beautiful old inn, and the new building keeps the classic style while offering updated, very comfortable rooms. As advertised, the rooms are absolutely soundproof. The location is great, and Apalachicola is a very cute, walkable town and a perfect stop if you’re in the area. A few nitpicks: coffee service ends at 8am, there’s none in the room, and none of the ice machines worked. It also felt pricey for a cold winter month.

The bed was really comfortable, and we had a lovely stay at this beautiful Inn. It’s handy for restaurants, shopping, and St George Island. One night we also heard Captain Wood, if you’re curious about the spooky side of the Gibson Inn. 10 out of 10, I’d recommend it!