Housed in a circa-1902 building, Hotel Vela first welcomes guests in downtown Gulfport, Mississippi, with an eclectic lobby styled with tropical prints and colors. With just 16 rooms, the boutique hotel offers the cozy, curated experience of standalone lodging with a luxury feel, including some of the original architecture of the historic site. Accommodations are upscale yet funky and artsy, with four-poster beds, mid-century modern furnishings, patterned wallpaper, and local artwork, with accessible options available. Each room features a king bed with soft, fresh linens, which does the trick after a long day of travel. The hotel’s on-site, seafood-forward restaurant, Siren Social Club, is led by chef Austin Sumrall and his wife, Tresse, and includes a speakeasy-style bar and a patio that offers the full menu.
- On-Site Dining
The decor is mermaid-meets- Miami Vice at Siren Social Club, an upscale Gulf dining experience with bright and bold flavors. Order plates to share like the carbonara with bacon, paddlefish caviar, and duck egg; oysters mignonette; and 1,000-layer potatoes with basil pesto. - Neighborhood
The hotel is in the center of lively downtown Gulfport, with Gulfport Beach Park just a short walk away, along with the Mississippi Aquarium, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, and Jones Park for recreation. Many breweries and restaurants are also nearby. - Amenities
In addition to standard amenities, rooms come with two beach towels, a Smart TV, and a stocked minibar. - Don’t Miss
Get the yeast rolls at Siren Social Club—these golden domes are as big as your fist and sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
