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The Local Palate January 17, 2024

Siblings Katharine Etchen Couillard and Steven Etchen grew up vacationing in Apalachicola at the Gibson Inn. On a family trip as adults, they learned that the circa-1907 property was for sale, and they purchased it in 2018 with the goal of restoring it.

The Gibson Inn, landmark hotel in Apalachicola, has been sold; upgrades starting soon

TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AUGUST 11, 2018

The Gibson Inn, a landmark boutique hotel in Apalachicola, has been sold, with the closing completed on Friday.

Historic Gibson Inn Expansion Project

Tallahase January 23,2024

The iconic Gibson Inn, a cherished landmark in the heart of Apalachicola, is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion project that will further enhance its legacy as a destination of choice for current and future travelers seeking timeless elegance and modern comfort. The expansion will include the addition of 24 well-appointed guest rooms along with an array of enhanced amenities, including a new cafe, elevator, courtyard pool, a spa with multiple treatment rooms, and fitness center.

Gibson inn expands in Apalachicola: Timeless elegance, modern comforts

Travel And Tour World January 12, 2024

The beloved Gibson Inn, an iconic landmark nestled in the heart of Apalachicola, is delighted to unveil an exciting expansion initiative poised to further enrich its legacy as the preferred destination for both present and future travelers seeking a seamless blend of timeless sophistication and contemporary comfort. This expansion encompasses the addition of 24 meticulously designed guest rooms, accompanied by a host of upgraded amenities. These enhancements include a new café, state-of-the-art elevator, courtyard pool, a spa featuring multiple treatment rooms, and a cutting-edge fitness center.

The Gibson Inn Is Serving Up Old Florida Charm And Local Oysters In The Heart Of Apalachicola

FORBES AUGUST 31, 2023

In the heart of historic Apalachicola, a coastal Florida town that’s been a hub for a variety of industries over the years—from cotton to lumber to oysters—The Gibson Inn stands in the same spot it’s been on since it was first constructed in 1907. It looks a little different these days (it’s been through a war and a hurricane, and 100+ years have passed), but its unmistakable charm and luxurious feel endure.

In Apalachicola, Florida, Coastal Meets Country in All the Best Ways

Country Living January 4,2024

Sometimes, when the weather turns cold, we want nothing more than to embrace the “brr” by traveling to one of America’s prettiest winter towns. And other times, we want nothing more than to escape it. If you’re looking for a charming new beach town to add to your travel bucket list, we’ve got just the place: Apalachicola, Florida.

8 Small Florida Beach Towns We Love

TRAVEL CURATOR JULY 13, 2023

Insistent to find the absolute best peach in the state of Georgia, my dad pulled off at every rickety roadside stand to sample. I remember thinking that Georgia would never end and that it must be the largest state in the entire U.S., although I fell instantly in love with its intoxicatingly sweet-smelling white magnolias and live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

Seven Under-The-Radar Islands That Feel Like Local Secrets

MR PORTER JULY 30, 2023

Mykonos, Santorini, Capri. We’ve all seen the highly curated pictures on social media, but behind every sunset and spritz, there’s usually a less glamorous story – especially if you visit these iconic islands during peak season.

Florida Off the Beaten Path at The Gibson Inn, Apalachicola

LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE APRIL 11, 2023

The Gibson Inn is located along the Florida Panhandle in Apalachicola, one of the best-kept secrets in the state. Apalachicola is home to mouthwatering seafood and an impressive selection of art galleries and antique shops housed in old cotton warehouses.

The 15 Best Seafood Dives In Florida

SOUTHERN LIVING JUNE 18, 2023

Sometimes, dinner warrants white tablecloths and lobster accompanied by porcelain ramekins of melted butter. Other times, it begs for checkered vinyl tablecloths, a pile of crab legs, loud music, and a few freshly steamed corn cobs. If you seek the former, these aren't the seafood spots for you. But if your main priority is delicious ocean fare, then we have you covered.

10 Boutique Hotels Around Florida You Should Book For Your Next Weekend Getaway

FLAMINGO MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2023 ISSUE

Rich in history and rooted in place, this storied boutique hotel in the heart of Apalachicola is the perfect retreat for those in search of authentic Old Florida charm. Since the moment siblings Steven Etchen and Katharine Etchen Couillard purchased The Gibson Inn in August 2018, they set out to create a hideaway steeped in the area’s history as a port city and longtime oyster-harvesting hub.

Three stunning hotels across the Southeast worth checking into

ATLANTA MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Plenty of hotels have pools—and a growing number now have pool. At the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola, Florida, new owners have transformed a once-dingy banquet room into a polished billiards hall, complete with a giant taxidermy alligator.

Ring in the New Year with these events in Big Bend, South Georgia

WCTC December 28,2023

New Year’s Eve Pearl Drop Party: Taking place December 31, the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola will host a pearl drop party from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Franklin Cafe. The event is free and will feature live entertainment by Jeremiah Hoover, Lee Pilcher Band and a champagne toast along with the pearl drop at midnight.

Small Inns with Big Charm The Gibson Inn

GARDEN & GUN WEEKENDS: DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

The Gibson Inn’s motto should be COME HELL OR HIGH WATER. Steven Etchen bought the run-down hotel in August 2018, and then partnered with his sister, Katharine Etchen Couillard, and their friend, Cutler Edwards, to revive it.

A Three-Day Road Trip Exploring Florida's Spanish History

After 90 minutes along the coastline, you’ll reach the oyster hub of Apalachicola. Centuries ago, the Spanish burned these bivalves’ shells to create the “tabby” concrete they used to construct their buildings. Toast the end of your day at Oyster City Brewing Company before heading two blocks away to the 1907 Gibson Inn, which just underwent a major overhaul. At the hotel restaurant, The Franklin, order a dozen oysters, topped with Jack Daniels brown butter and hot sausage, before bedding down for the night.

Florida Patching Apalach

GARDEN & GUN THE SOUTHERN AGENDA: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

Swoop over the John Gorrie bridge and into Apalachicola, and you can’t miss the Gibson Inn. A grande dame of Old Florida, its shady porches and cupola have dominated downtown Apalach since 1907.

A Trip to the Florida of Yore

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL DECEMBER 12, 2018

The tiny town of Apalachicola is old-school Sunshine State, with a sleepy waterfront, ironwork balconies and zero pretentiousness.

The River Town Apalachicola

SOUTHERN LIVING WARM GETAWAYS

Evenings downstairs at The Gibson Inn are themselves a marvelous blend of everything that is Apalachicola—old-timers parked at the bar and longtime visitors and families settling in for dinner, all mixing with happy travelers who know they’re onto something really special.

Florida’s Great Escapes Apalachicola

COASTAL LIVING WINTER 2020/2021

Make no mistake: Apalachicola is having a moment. You can feel it in the vibe of the circa-1907 Gibson Inn, purchased in 2018 by a pair of 30-something siblings—Steven Etchen and Katharine Etchen Couillard—who grew up visiting the area with their parents and enjoying Shirley Temples on these very porches.

New Owner For The Gibson Inn, Apalachicola’s Most Iconic Hotel

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE AUGUST 20, 2018

Apalachicola's most iconic hotel, The Gibson Inn, was just sold to a new owner, Steven Etchen.

Spring Break Travel Deals

TRAVEL & LEISURE FOR NBC’S TODAY SHOW MARCH 8, 2023

Under the radar beach destination, Apalachicola has plenty to offer Spring Breakers. Where to stay? The Gibson Inn, a boutique hotel that dates back more than 100 years and was recently renovated. With beautiful hardwood floors and marble bathrooms, it has “White Lotus vibes”.