The Coconut Inn, Pass-a-Grille, Florida: A Review
The Coconut Inn in Pass-a-Grille, Florida, is a welcoming slice of Old Florida, located just steps from the beach in one of the most charming areas of greater Tampa.
In the review below, you’ll find everything you need to know to determine if this quaint, locally run hotel is right for your family’s next visit to the St. Pete Beach area.
I’ve included photos of the rooms and on-site amenities, as well as information on the inn’s history, what to do around the hotel and great places to eat nearby.
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I received a 2 night stay to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Where is the Coconut Inn?
Pass-a-Grille is an adorable town on the southernmost tip of the St. Pete Beach-Clearwater string of islands.
(If this is your first time visiting the area, definitely check out my first time visitors guide to St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, which explains the layout of this part of Florida along with all of my tips for a great trip.)
On our stay, we’d just come from Disney’s Blizzard Beach with a toddler, and we were ready for some beach time.
For this trip, we were partnered with a local hotel group (the now-defunct Florida Superior Small Lodging Association) to explore different, locally owned accommodations in this popular area of Florida.
Coconut Inn was to be our first stop on our exploration of St. Pete Beach-Clearwater.
If you’re headed into St. Pete Beach from Orlando, you’ll pass the iconic pink Don CeSar hotel, which is the official dividing line between the end of St. Pete Beach and the start of the Pass-a-Grille area.
Just a few more minutes down the road, and you’ll turn onto 11th Avenue in search of the Coconut Inn.
Awaiting you at the other end of the street will be this adorable little inn with palm trees and tropical flowers flanking it.
But will your stay at the Coconut Inn live up to its first impression?
History of the Coconut Inn
During the 1920s, this area of St. Petersburg began to attract the rich and famous through gigantic hotels like the Viceroy, the Don CeSar, and the Belleair Biltmore. The blue-green waters and white sand beaches of the Gulf didn't just attract the wealthy, and cute inns like the Coconut Inn popped up as an alternative to the uber expensive see-and-be-seen resorts along the Gulf.
The Coconut Inn's original building remains central to the property, though the inn has made some excellent improvements in recent years. Landon and I both found that the overwhelming charm of the place came from the intersection of the inn's classic style and modern upgrades.
For the last several years, the current owners have run the Coconut Inn, as well as the two other Pass-a-Grille properties, Sabal Palms Inn and the Havana Inn.
The Coconut Inn: A Complete Review
Situated on the Gulf end of 11th Avenue, the Coconut Inn is planted in a pretty amazing spot within in Pass-a-Grille. I loved that it was surrounded by residences, not other hotels.
Proximity to the Beach
To get to the beach, all we had to do was walk right across Gulf Way. That's it!
I love going to the beach, but I hate lugging all of our towels, chairs, and snacks while simultaneously trying to keep Britton from charging into the ocean. We didn't have to worry about that at Coconut Inn since it took us all of 15 seconds to get to the beach.
Less time walking, more time for family beach selfies
If we headed out of the Coconut Inn and turned left onto Gulf Boulevard, the restaurants and shops of the historic district were only a block away.
We couldn't have asked for a better location with our toddler in tow. Those little legs can only walk so far!
The Rooms at the Coconut Inn
For our two night stay, we were placed in one of the upper rooms in the main building. It was an efficiency apartment with a full kitchen, a king bed, and two chairs that converted into twin beds.
The bathroom had the usual amenities: hair dryer, plenty of towels, shower, etc. If you like a bath instead of a shower, I'd recommend getting a different room. Technically, there was a tiny, tiny bathtub/ shower combo in the bathroom, but only people the size of my 23-month-old would be able to get in the tub comfortably. When used as a shower, it was perfectly roomy.
Having the full kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, and refrigerator was a great way to cook a few meals instead of eating out all of the time. The room also had plenty of pots, pans, silverware, and dishes so all you have to bring is your food. (If you want to get some great chicken, seafood, or skewers to cook, try Shaver's Land and Sea Market just down the road from the Coconut Inn. I think we went there three times in five days to get stuff to cook!)
Service at the Inn
Eddie, the manager, greeted me with a big smile when I walked into office. He had to run off to help another couple checking in, but quickly returned to walk me through the registration process. Then, he walked us to our room.
Let me repeat. He walked us to our room! I cannot tell you the last time that happened--and I've stayed at many hotels of all different sizes. Eddie showed us around our little apartment, gave us his cell phone number for after-hours emergencies, and made sure we knew where to go for dinner.
Coconut Inn Amenities
For a smaller place (about 12 rooms), the Coconut Inn has a surprising number of fun amenities. There's a pool in the courtyard--it's not the biggest, but it has jets and color changing fountains, both of which went over extremely well with my toddler. There are also floats and noodles to use.
In the back of the property, there's a gorgeous outdoor kitchen, an additional gas grill, swings, and sitting areas. We wanted to grill out one night, but didn't get the chance.
Hotel guests can also use any of the beach chairs or bicycles on the property--there's no need to sign them in or out, as everything's done on the honor system.
Finally, if you're looking to add a bit of adventure into your beach vacay, there are kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals available just down the street at the Sabal Palms Inn, the Coconut Inn's sister property.
Final Thoughts on the Coconut Inn
We loved our time at
and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Pass-a-Grille area. The Coconut Inn is clean, safe, and comfortable, all elements that the Superior Small Lodging Association promises of its properties. The location couldn't be beat, and the size of the inn made our stay feel cozy and welcoming. The Coconut Inn is the type of property you always hope to find when you plan to stay locally!
Discover other great accommodations in the St. Pete Beach area!
Have you visited Pass-a-Grille? What's your favorite part of the St. Pete Beach area? What do you look for when you're staying in locally owned inns?
