There's little room at the Inn this holiday season.
Gasparilla Inn & Club occupancy is nearly full and the new Inn Boutique, The Inn Shop and the Gasparilla Inn Spa are all drawing crowds, according to Inn officials.
Retail manager Jennifer Jackowiak said the new Boutique, which opened this season in the former reservation office, benefits from the traditional holiday rush.
Article Photos
Caroline Farrington, left, and Kristi Fowler of the Gasparilla Inn & Club marvel over the holiday inventory at the new Inn Boutique.
"The Inn is full for the holidays," Jackowiak said. "I expect us to be very busy."
The Inn Boutique, with full dressing room and unique gifts and clothing, will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Dec. 20 through Jan. 1, although closed on Christmas. Normal operating hours will resume Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Inn reservations have been generated in part by its "12 Days of Christmas" promotion, which receives a Gasparilla Inn & Club holiday makeover this season at the National Historic Landmark resort.
Fact Box
To Go
What: The 12 Days of Christmas celebration
Where: Gasparilla Inn & Club, 500 Palm Ave.
When: Dec. 21-Jan. 1
Contact: Call (800) 996-1913 or (941) 964-4520 or go to gasparillainn.com.
Rates: start at $385, per room, per day, based on double occupancy. Daily service charges and taxes additional.
Traditional tree trimming, gingerbread house-decorating and caroling combine with more modern pursuits such as laser tag during the most wonderful time of the year Friday, Dec. 21, through Tuesday, Jan. 1.
The seventh annual 12 Days of Christmas celebration at The Inn under General Manager Jack Damioli combines vibrant holiday dcor, activities and food during nearly two weeks of events.
Festivities are open to overnight guests. The Main Dining Room and The Pink Elephant, however, are open to the public throughout the holiday season.
On Christmas Eve, guest parents and children can take part in holiday arts and crafts, as well as evening milk and cookies to prepare for Santa's arrival.
Christmas Day guests enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in-room while opening gifts, or can also indulge in a traditional holiday dinner at The Inn's Main Dining Room or the more casual Pink Elephant.
Reservations are required for Christmas dinner, which will be served from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Dec. 25 in The Main Dining Room.
Other guest activities include sandcastle building and sculpting, a teddy bear tea for children, family flag football, karaoke and s'mores, kayak tours, "drive-inn" movies, laser tag and family game night.
Football fans can head to BZ's, The Inn's bar, to cheer on their favorite team. Guests can relax with a rejuvenating treatment at The Spa, or take part in exercise classes on yoga, pilates, water aerobics and zumba. Tennis round-robins and golf circuit fitness are also scheduled.
Guests are invited to ring in 2012 with a special New Year's Eve Dinner in the Main Dining Room and a final celebratory countdown in BZ's.
Start New Year by sipping coffee at sunrise on New Year's Day, play a game of family kickball, go shelling or take a sunset cruise.
