Jackson Mayhew, a 10-year-old boy whose parents died in a tragic accident, moves to Florida to live with his aunt Patty, a bartender and aspiring singer who lives and works in a failing hotel. During his summer vacation at the hotel, Jackson meets Sam Clausner, an elderly man with white hair, a white beard and a curious last name. After Jackson spreads a rumor that Sam is Santa Claus, a curious Richard Frangello checks into the hotel.