Gulf Coast Visit on Emotional Anniversary Brought Renewed Hope

Visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina proved to be an emotional journey. Highlights were moving commemorative ceremonies and candlelight vigils;riveting documentaries and personal stories from those who lost everything but never considered not rebuilding. I discovered a hidden gem hotel as well as restaurants serving delicious Coastal cuisine.

First and foremost, I found a new home at The Inn at Long Beach. It’s a well-appointed gulf front property I’ve passed hundreds of times but never slowed down enough to notice. That changed a photo of the hotel’s pool facing the gulfsurfaced in an online Gulf Coast discussion. Surrounded by majestic Live Oaks with a view of the beach and gulf, the scene transported me back to my childhood and the gulf front hotel at which we always stayed.

I can still picture my grandfather sitting out under theoak trees beside the pool of Gulfport’s Sahara Hotel enjoying the early morning breezewafting in from the gulf just across Highway 90. The Sahara was destroyed in Katrina and I’ve never again seenanother hotel pool surrounded by Live Oaks fronting the beach.

I messaged the hotel to share my reminisces and how a simple photo in 2025 had transported me back to a simpler time on the Coast and in my life. The owner graciously invited me to experience the hotel for myself, despite the busy Labor Day weekend ahead.

The thought of seeing the pool similar to the Sahara’s was foremost in my mind when I drove up to The Inn, located just a few miles from Gulfport.Upon entering the property, I realized I was in for an enjoyable stay.In short, The Inn is that it actually does live up to its name: guests actually feel as if they’re staying in a private inn instead of an impersonal cookie cutter hotel. As I entered the spacious, well-appointed lobby, I was greeted warmly, much like one would greet a friend entering their home. And the best part: I was offered homemade cookies and directed to help myself to beverages at the well-equipped coffee bar before heading up to my room.

Many hotel lobbies can seem impersonal and somewhat cold, but The Inn’s large, yet cozy lobby is tastefully decorated with comfortable furnishings, artwork, fresh flowers and large windows offering scenic views of the shimmering pool, Live Oaks and the beach and gulf. I immediately felt at home, perhaps because the décor resembles just that warm touches of a home rather than a hotel. That comforting feeling of being “at home” continued when I arrived at my spotlessly-clean, modern, yet cozygulf front room. Once again, tasteful décor in soothing neutral shades instantly caused me to decompress. Equipped with a spacious bath, coffee bar and mini fridge and free Wi-Fi, each guest room offers everything necessary for a relaxing, comfortable stay. A ground floor fitness center and complimentary bike rentals are available for those looking for an active getaway. As a glowing sun descended below the gulf, I would have been perfectly content to relax by the pool and enjoy evening breezes as they wafted in from the water. However, I had dinner plans with friends and made the short drive over the bridge to Bay St. Louis (more on dinner below).

The following day, I was directed to the breakfast buffet offeredadjacent to the lobby. I’ve enjoyed numerous complimentary hotel breakfast in my lifetime, but this onefar exceeded all the others in variety, quantity and taste.

Freshly-made biscuits, gravy, bacon, sausage, grits and eggs and hot oatmeal with a variety of toppings are offered in the hot foods area. Guests can also request made-to-order pancakes, either plain or with specialty options like blueberry, lemon ricotta and other ingredients. Also offered are cereal, fresh fruit, a variety of pastries, freshlysqueezed orange juice and specialty teas and coffees.

Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at cozy tables spread throughout the lobby and adjacent elevated dining area while enjoying a view of the pool just steps away.

Lounging by the pool or taking a leisurely bike ride through Long Beach, both crossed my mind,but I had scheduled events to attend. Following a busy morning of ceremonies, it was SEAFOOD GUMBO---Old-Fashioned Seafood Gumbo is a classic dish that almost everyone loves. If you’d like the recipe, email me at kkprco@yahoo.com and I’ll send it to you. It’s a reason college students, he says, fear the world. “Our stereotypes about college students were that they’re in ‘discover mode,’ up for fun, eager to go to parties. It’s only in discover mode that you learn anything. ... (But today) they’re much more in ‘defend’ mode.” In our full hourlong interview, Haidt and I talk about how his work has already persuaded lots of schools to ban cellphones during the school day. In addition, more than 1,000 schools are trying the (free) Let Grow Experience. One monthly homework assignment: Go home and do something NEW on your own. Having a life is what makes kids sensible and strong. STOSSEL GULF COAST VISIT ON EMOTIONAL ANNIVERSARY BROUGHT RENEWED HOPE by Kara Kimbrough