The Boutique Way to Stay in Pensacola

Pensacola Beach, known for its sugar-white sands and emerald waves, is the perfect backdrop for a getaway year-round – from the summer sun leaving kisses on your skin and sand in your hair to a fall stroll through the festival city of the south.

And while each area of Pensacola has you covered with accommodations abound, from Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key, you can be “shore” that the boutique getaway stay scene is the perfect way to beach and chill far from the madding crowd.

Wave goodbye to stress and say hello to beach bliss!

The locals know staying in a boutique hotel in Pensacola is like having your own slice of paradise (and not just any slice – around here, we call the best slice a piece of Bushwacker pie, but you can float that boat when you get here.) These intimate getaways offer a tidal wave of charm that large chain-resorts often can't match – no shade. You’ll feel like you’ve really hit the beach jackpot with personalized service that’s sure to keep you as happy as a clam. Plus, these cozy retreats offer stunning views right from your room, allowing you to soak up the sun and sea breeze in tranquility.

Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel

Oyster Bay is the shoreline superstar, where luxury meets the laid-back coastal chic. Just a short stroll from the vibrant heart of downtown Pensacola, this local favorite escapes you into the tranquil neutrality while immersing you into the thick of culture. Each room is an absolute pearl, featuring custom furnishings, artwork, and accents, paying homage to the local artisans and surrounding community. Each nautical nuance whispers tales of the sea while you sip and see from its southern balcony, and the stretch of Pensacola Bay you take in won’t be the only stretch of your stay if you dive into the community yoga held in Oyster Bay’s private courtyard.

Lily Hall

Step into the enchanting world of Lily Hall, where history and modernity dance in a perfect harmony of airy, exotic, escape, and delightfully peculiar. Located in Old East Hill Pensacola, this 15-room boutique beauty is a floral fantasy, with each room blooming with unique decor and vibrant vibes filling up this former church that now features its own restaurant and speakeasy. From Brother Fox to Sister Hen, Lily Hall will fill up your cup and your plate from the hearth and for the soul. Lily Hall’s one-stop-shop is the ultimate way to ensure your getaway is more than just a drop in the ocean of ordinary vacations.

Celestine Bed & Breakfast

For those who dream under the stars and wake with the sun, Celestine Bed & Breakfast is your celestial story-book hideout. Nestled in North Hill, this heavenly haven originally built in 1888 is just one block away from the “Gateway to Pensacola” known as Palafox Street where arts and culture come alive. If walls could talk, the story of this family heirloom would tell the sweetest tales as you enjoy a quaint breakfast that's out of this world before hitting the walkable streets of America’s First Settlement.

Pensacola Beach Resort

Imagine a place where every window frames a postcard-worthy view of the Emerald Coast. Right on the sands of Pensacola Beach, this resort is a sanctuary for those who can't get enough of the ocean. Dive into luxurious rooms, sip cocktails by the pool, or simply let the waves lull you into relaxation. (In-room massage before hitting the pool-side tiki bar for me, please!) And if you fancy a trip to downtown Pensacola, well – it's a breeze – making it easy to switch from city slicker to beach bum in no time. Pensacola Beach Resort may have the resort capacity, but this privately-owned mecca off the Gulf of Mexico is another local way to book your stay. Here, life's a beach every day, and every stay is a wave of happiness.

Portofino Island Resort

At the edge of Pensacola Beach, this privately-owned resort stands tall as a beacon of luxury and relaxation, recognized as one of Southern Living’s Top 10 Best Family-Friendly Beach Hotels. Situated over 28 acres, Portofino’s grounds are meticulously maintained with architectural landscaping, and this all-suite resort blends the comforts of home with the splendor of resort living. Offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico or the serene Santa Rosa Sound, the world is your oyster on property. With its state-of-the-art amenities, including a full-service spa, fitness center, and multiple pools, Portofino is your passport to paradise. You’re never more than a few sandy steps from making a splash or building your empire one sandcastle at a time – and capping Pensacola Beach means fewer flip-flops flapping while you’re sand crab trapping!

A Shore Thing

Pensacola Beach offers a buffet of activities, from paddleboarding and parasailing to simply basking in the sun. With a boutique hotel as your base – or the unique charm of one of the houseboats of Seville Harbour – your local experience will be led by the friendly staff (read: personal beach concierges) that are ready to help you catch the best of what the Emerald Coast boasts. So, if you’re looking to shore up your vacation plans with a splash of exclusivity and a tidal wave of charm, it’s no sea-cret that Pensacola is the boutique way to stay!

Author

Sid Williams-Heath

Sid Williams-Heath relocated to Northwest Florida from New York City with his husband, Dr. Nicklaus Heath, after working for the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is the CEO of The Clark Family Cultural Center and oversees the Pensacola Little Theatre. Williams-Heath currently serves as the president for Stamped LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, treasurer of Visit Pensacola, a member of Sundays Child and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and graduated from Leadership Pensacola’s class of 2019. Sid also instructs indoor cycling classes at the boutique spin studio, Ride Society.

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