Sebastian, Florida

Inns, Lodges, Resorts

January 2022

Article and photos by Jimmy Jacobs

Looking for that slice of Old Florida while fishing the Sunshine State’s east coast? Then you might want to check out the Davis House Inn in Sebastian. The area offers plenty of fly-casting options, and this hostel makes a fine headquarters for your adventure.

The Davis House has a long pedigree with regard to the area. Guy French Davis, his wife Hattie O’Dell and their four sons Thomas, Shadrack, Theodore and Everett first arrived in the area on the train in 1910. They came to Sebastian from Arkansas and settled in to create a citrus farm on the land surrounding the present inn. The entire family is buried in the Sebastian cemetery.

Today the inn structure features covered porches wrapping around the main building, as it sits in a park-like setting with views of the Indian River. The deck also has Adirondack chairs for lounging, while watching for dolphins and sea birds on the river.

The rooms are spacious efficiency suites, designed for a comfortable, casual experience. Each suite features either a king or a combo of a queen and full bed. All the modern amenities are included, such as cable television, air conditioning with ceiling fans, WiFi, refrigerators, kitchen utensils and living room areas with sofa and coffee table.

Additionally, they offer a two-bedroom bungalow on the property for larger groups or families.

A large parking area is provided and the office staff is quite accommodating.

The Davis House Inn also offers military and senior rate discounts, a well as special weekly rates.

SQUID LIPS

Another bonus of staying at the Davis House is the convenient location, just across Indian River Drive, of a fine seafood eatery. Squid Lips is positioned on a pier that stretches out into the river.

The site once housed a commercial fish house, where catches were prepared for shipment around the country. In fact, steel rails are still visible in the concrete that leads to the wooden dock entrance to the restaurant. Those were used with carts that brought the fish in and out of the building.

The present structure houses a restaurant and bar that serves up freshly prepared seafood and other fare, along with cold libations. They offer a wide variety of entrees, appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches, plus raw bar selections.

Some of their specialty dishes are Cajun bacon-wrapped sea scallops, Thai mahi, coconut shrimp and fish n’ griz.

Whether it’s a full meal after a day on the water or a cool drink to ease into the evening, Squid Lips can fill the bill.