The lodge itself was built in the 1920s, but we stayed in the newer Island house which is on stilts. We had a waterview room with a balcony overlooking the well tended grounds and the docks. Georgeous! The room was small but adequate. The kingsized bed was quite comfortable and everything was very clean. It is a great place to stay if you just want to relax, which we did, because there is not very much to do on the island itself; although we did visit the quaint towns of Bokeelia and Matlatcha . One highlight was the lodge restaurant which is reviewed under restaurants.
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“This is one of the best “Old Florida” Inn’s”
Reviewed January 4, 2016 by JoAnne Q of Orlando, Florida, United States
We took a road trip and wanted to visit the island known as Pine Island. Little did we know that there are three “communities” on Pine Island, Pineland, St. James City and Bokeelia. We took the time to visit all the areas, but we were truly in search of the famous “Tarpon Lodge”. It has been there since 1926 and has survived the 2004 Hurricane Charley where most of the 1926 structure was preserved. It is now on the National and State Historic Register! Once a little “fishing shack” is now a beautiful inn with a lot of history and a beautiful place to stay. The sunsets are breath taking and the quiteness is soothing. Plan to stay and enjoy the fresh air.
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I walked in this amazing little corner of what was to be a slice of Old Florida hidden away — could not believe it. I thought I was going to see Ernest Hemmingway perched at the bar! It was so peaceful and relaxing and unlike Key West — you felt like you were the only people who had found this little gem.
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Nothing I’ve experienced to date can compare with the peace and serenity I experienced during my stay at the Tarpon Lodge on beautiful Pine Island. As we got closer to Tarpon Lodge we passed Eagle and Osprey Nests, Palm Tree and Mango Farms, Cattle Ranches and the local post office. What you won’t find on Pine Island is a traffic light.
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The advertising for Tarpon Lodge and Restaurant calls it “old Florida frozen it time.” From the 100 year old main house to the lush, green waterfront lawn, it does seem like it is an upscale hotel from the past. But that’s not the whole story. The property also contains some very modern lodgings and amenities. We stayed in the Island House which sits on stilts and offers excellent views of the water.
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My wife and I had lunch at the Tarpon Lodge yesterday. It is in a very quiet location on Pine Island, with all that is good about Old Florida. The view from the restaurant porch is peaceful and relaxing. The food was very good as well. My grouper fish tacos were excellent. This is a great spot to slow down and enjoy the day. Next time we plan to arrive by boat.
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We stayed for 2 nights at Tarpon Lodge and loved every minute. The hospitality throughout the entire weekend was top notch, professional, and welcoming. We stayed in the Island House overlooking Pine Island Sound. The view from the balcony was amazing. We loved watching the sunrise each morning while getting ready to go to breakfast. Our room had everything we needed and the bed was very comfortable. The room has all of the full amenities you would expect at an island resort, including free WiFi, but has the laid back come-as-you-are comfort of a warm bed & breakfast. We enjoyed swimming at night and had the pool to ourselves. Dinner at the lodge was 5-star and the continental breakfast is just right for starting your day. Don’t miss the bruschetta appetizer or the crab tortellini at dinner! Be sure to walk the docks in the evening after dinner. Standing on the dock admiring the bay makes you really appreciate Southwest Florida. The beautifully maintained grounds are even more beautiful at night. It is no wonder why they host so many weddings. If you are trying to decide if Tarpon Lodge is where you want to stay, or even visit for a meal – do it! You will be very happy with your decision.
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Having never been to Pine Island or Tarpon Lodge, my husband and I decided to spend three nights here for the long July 4th weekend. What a fantastic location! The accommodations are waterfront, but provide beautifully landscaped grounds with gorgeous green grass and palm trees, along with a gazebo, a hammock, and benches and chairs scattered here and there for watching the sunset.
We stayed in the Island House, Room 2. Rooms 1 – 6 in the Island House are all face the water and have small balconies, while rooms 7 – 12 face the parking lot and have large windows. Room 2 does face the water, but it has the most privacy because of strategically-placed palm trees surrounding the balcony. This made it really nice while getting ready for bed or just waking up on the mornings – we never had to close our curtains. If you want an unobstructed view of the water, you’d want to book rooms 3 – 6. All balconies have awnings and provide some shade, but rooms 1 and 2 offered the most shade because of the palm trees…
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This was my third stay at Tarpon Lodge and though we could visit Pine Island for only one night, the tranquility of the place and staying at this gorgeous historic lodge made it feel like a much longer trip. Peggy walked my daughter back to the car with an umbrella after check-in during a short rain shower and she gave us coffee to warm up. Walking around the property later was like taking a step back in time to a much more relaxed era. Sunset over the dock was almost unbelievable in color, and the pelicans and Great White Egrets flew right past us as we explored. Watching the last of the sunset while eating dinner at the Tarpon Lodge Restaurant was wonderful as was the fresh, delicious and creatively prepared food. Our server was skillfully trained, attentive and friendly, and it really was such an unexpected treat to find all this at an off-the-beaten path place. This was a fabulous experience all around.
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We stayed in the cottage building which had a combo living area/kitchen, with a small fridge and a microwave, and a separate bedroom. Large windows looked out on the small marina, and we were steps away from a beautiful view of the sunset. The small pool was relaxing and quite warm to be “heated only by the sun.” We took long walks in the evenings (be sure to bring insect repellent) through the surrounding neighborhood and at the Calusa Heritage Trail across the street from the lodge.
The restaurant at the lodge was as wonderful as the accommodations. We ate three meals there and everything we tried was delicious from the salad with bronzed shrimp and goat cheese to fish tacos and crab cakes. Desserts are not to be missed. especially the made-in-house creme brulee and key lime pie. The service was exemplary and the restaurant manager was very hands-on, stopping by and asking diners about their experience. If you are looking for a relaxing, peaceful getaway in a pleasant environment with an “old Florida” feel, Tarpon Lodge fits the bill.
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