The Best Hotels in Pensacola
By Brady Jonas
Pensacola, Florida, is a city that mixes Southern charm with a laid-back beach vibe, making it a great place to unwind, explore, and enjoy a bit of sunshine. Whether you're here for the sugar-white sands, the seafood, or just to dodge work emails under a palm tree, you'll need a good place to stay. Here are the top five hotels in Pensacola where you can kick back, relax, and pretend you’re living your best life.
1. Hotel Effie
Hotel Effie is located a short drive from downtown Pensacola and is more than just a place to drop your bags. It’s a home away from home—if your home had a rooftop pool, a world-class spa, and a celebrity chef at the helm of the restaurant. Effie knows how to make an impression, with its spacious rooms and well-curated amenities. You can even pretend to know something about wine at their nightly tastings, and no one will call your bluff.
2. Pensacola Beach Resort
If waking up to the sound of waves and views of the Gulf is your idea of heaven, then Pensacola Beach Resort is your go-to spot. This place knows how to make the most of its prime real estate. It’s all about the beach here—if you're not lounging on it, you're looking at it, dreaming about it, or Instagramming it. Pensacola Beach Resort keeps things simple, which is exactly what you want when you're busy doing absolutely nothing.
3. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
A bit of a jaunt from downtown Pensacola, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is worth the trip for those who believe vacation isn't complete without a few rounds of golf or a spa treatment. It's like someone took a golf course, a beach, and a small village, and tossed them all together. You can find everything here—shops, restaurants, and more golf than you can swing a club at. If variety is your thing, Sandestin is your playground.
4. Osprey Pointe
Osprey Pointe is the secret hideaway you tell your friends about only if you really like them. Tucked away from the main tourist drag, it's the kind of place where you can be at peace with nature—or at least feel like it while sipping a cocktail by the pool. It’s perfect for those who prefer the call of birds to the call of beach vendors. A bit more low-key, Osprey Point, part of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, offers a break from the ordinary, without any pretense.
5. Hilton Pensacola Beach
If you like your beach vacations with a side of familiarity, Hilton Pensacola Beach delivers. It’s the Hilton you know, but with a twist: a prime spot right on the Gulf. It's got all the comforts you’d expect, with a view that’s anything but standard. Bonus: it’s a great place to rack up some rewards points while pretending you’re somewhere far more exotic.
The Complete Guide to Pensacola
The Best Hotels in Pensacola
Here are the top five hotels in Pensacola where you can kick back, relax, and pretend you’re living your best life.
Pensacola’s Best Restaurants
Here are five restaurants that capture the essence of Pensacola, where you can eat like a local and leave feeling like a regular.
The Things to do in Pensacola
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just wants a good cocktail by the water, Pensacola has something for everyone.