I’m going to give a very honest, lengthy review, so others know just what to expect. So, settle in! Haha

First off, Ms. Edda was so kind and helpful on the phone. They don’t do online reservations and you’ll likely end up leaving a few messages on an answering machine and waiting for call backs. But she makes it all a pleasant experience.

Upon arrive, this place is bursting with character and charm! I love the Old Florida feel! It’s not schtick either. This place is the real deal! Ms. Edda told my husband this place has been “running her” for almost 50 years. I adored her and the character of the place. Nothing could change those feeling about the place. It’s situated beautifully on the bay. The views are truly stunning. There are peacocks, lizards, squirrels, tiny crabs, and a couple of gators about the grounds. The lodgings are a nice size, some with a small kitchen, comfy beds. Do not expect things to look like they do in a hotel. It looks more like you’re visiting grandma’s house. Nothing is modern or updated, but it’s very homey, comfortable, and welcoming. It’s clean enough, though not sparkling, sanitized like a hotel. If those things are high on your list, you won’t like this place. In the mornings, you’ll likely be awakened by the sounds of friendly peacocks. The coffee they have available in the gazebo area is plentiful and delicious, and there is an offering of snack cakes and granola bars, for a quick breakfast. There benches and a few areas to fish, but beware the little gator. He’s just curious and looking for a snack, but you’re asked not to feed them, per signage. I found you’ll do best to bring your own chair, or use the small dock across the street.

It pains me to say anything negative about this place, because you can tell a lot of love has gone into it and you can tell it has been through a lot, between hurricanes and the death of Ms. Edda’s husband, Bob. This is a lot of folks’ forever vacation spot. They’ll likely come back every year for the rest of their lives, and I find that sweet and beautiful. We interacted with many returning guests. They regaled my husband and I with tales of what it was like in its heyday. There was a restaurant on the water and a thriving campground. Now, only remnants of both remain. It seems this places is slowly falling into disrepair, which is a sad sight to see, as it really is lovely and has such potential. It’s a truly special place, that just needs some significant maintenance, that I’m sure is not an easy task to stay on top of. The lodgings, while they truly are homey and comfortable, are also in need of some significant repairs, beyond just aesthetic things like the peeling paint, ceilings, and broken closet doors. Our microwave did not work, nor did the remote to the AC unit (which truly is not a deal breaker for me), but the sliding glass door was literally duct taped shut and you could only exit through the main door. We encountered a few roaches, including one crawling on me this morning, while I was sitting on the bed, dressing my baby. The room was clean enough and smelled fresh upon arrival, which was a plus, so it’s not like it’s nasty or infested either bugs. I’m not the type to expect a daily room cleaning or change of sheets, but by midweek, everything was pretty sandy and we needed a refresh. We put the sign on our door to have the room cleaned (I even stripped the beds and put all the dirty towels in one place) left for the day, returned that afternoon and it was just as we left it, except the door sign, which had been broken, was replaced with a new one, with the “Do Not Disturb” side facing out. I went to the front office and Ms. Edda gave me sheets and towels. She told me that her cleaning staff doesn’t really abide by the door requests and usually assume if the sign is on there, it’s a request to not service the room, even if the “Service This Room” side is out facing. I put the sheets on myself. There was a lot of trash about the grounds. The dock on the river side of the property is in complete disrepair and falling apart. While most of the clientele was truly delightful, and every other night was relatively quiet, our last night the patron above us was smoking bowls on the balcony and pacing the floor all night in boots, and sounded like she was rearranging furniture. There was no after hours number to call and report any of that. I’m not one to ever do that, as I have two little ones that can be noisy too, so I give folks a good bit of grace, but she was being so loud and extremely inconsiderate. When it’s after midnight and you have two small children and a spouse who can’t sleep because of all the noise, it’s bad.

So, long review a little longer, bottom line, this really is a neat place. You aren’t going to find a cheaper place, and certainly with more character. The location in proximity to everything is fantastic. But this might not be the place for you if you’re squeamish of bugs, less than sparkling clean quarters, and outdated furnishings. This place is kind of a diamond in the rough. It’s got issues, but it’s potential is immense. I feel like with a bit of maintenance and cleaning, it could both retain its charm and Old Florida appeal, while becoming the sparkling gem it’s capable of being.

Had a great week at Sportsman's. Edda and the crew make you feel at home. This is a rustic lodge so know what to expect. You will find a host of guest that are as unique and pleasant as the lodge itself. A public boat ramp is across the bayou, just a few steps away.
Wefings Marine rents a fleet of boats out of Battery Park so you don't even need to bring your boat. Best rates on the coast.
They call this area the Lost Coast, hope it never changes!

Old World Charm. We always stay here because of the comfort, solitude and friendly staff. We enjoy watching the peacocks and martins and even wetting a hook in the bay. The sunsets are amazing and even the passing storms are spectacular here.