‘A throwback in time…’
Tarpon Lodge management strives to maintain more of retro-type feel for resort
Tarpon Lodge owner/manager Rob Wells said storm damage to the Tarpon Lodge in the past 3 years has been extensive. In fact, he said, between the Tarpon Lodge and Cabbage Key, which is also owned by the Wells family, over 13 buildings became flooded.
“Milton was the highest flood that I have seen since my parents bought Cabbage Key in 1976,” Wells said.
Many are surprised by this, he said, as Sanibel, Matlacha and Fort Myers Beach got more broadcast attention from storms brought by recent years. Much post-storm cleanup was necessary after Ian, he said, and then again after Milton. At this point, much of his staff are likely to feel they’ve been trained in disaster recovery, he said jokingly. In reality you always have to gamble on what kind of storm is coming, he added, admitting it requires a certain amount of focus.
Tarpon Lodge will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary throughout 2026, he said, talking about the idea of using the flappers of 1926, as the theme began at the New Year. Most of the 1920s retro flapper theme came from his wife, Jessica, he admits, crediting her with the idea.
“From a lodging perspective, what we hope people feel when they come here is a little bit of a throwback in time-a simpler time-we know we’re not going to be competitive with every big high rise along the Florida coast. We’re actually going to do the opposite. That’s where we think we can be competitive, because with fewer and fewer places like these, places like this seem to stick out in people’s minds as special when they see them. You’re always trying to walk that fine line between trying to show respect to the history of the place and having the new modern conveniences that everybody expects,” Wells said.
Bokeelia’s Tarpon Lodge drew people to it at a certain time, he said, touching on the unique beauty of Pine Island. It is not like other Florida coastal destinations, Wells pointed out. The general feel, he said, is that it is important to keep Tarpon Lodge the way it is, as the customers are very happy with it.
“If it changed a lot in character, I don’t know that we would attract the same kind of visitors we attract now,” Wells said.
Wells has repeatedly offered the Tarpon Lodge location to the Beacon of HOPE’s Holiday House at Christmastime. This event, filled with mostly Pine Island business vendors, is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Beacon. Although most might see this as generosity on the part of the Wells family, Wells himself said he sees it as a win for everyone involved.
“We win because we bring a whole lot of people and it raises awareness on the island and out of town to us. So I think it pays us back, moving forward — we serve a lot of diners and we serve a lot of drinks in the bar on those evenings. We’re able to do something that makes money for the community, raise awareness about the place, make some money along the way, while Holiday House is making money. To me it’s a mutual win/win. I don’t feel like we’re giving more than we’re getting back at all. In fact, I would like to do it as long as we can do it,” Wells said.
As long as folks continue to enjoy coming out for the Holiday House experience, Wells said, he foresees the Tarpon Lodge being offered as the event’s location.
The Tarpon Lodge is at 13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia. For more about the lodge, call (239) 283-3999 or visit https://tarponlodge.com/
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email