The Pensacola Beach Resort

The Pensacola Beach Resort sits on the Gulf at 165 Fort Pickens Road, just west of the Casino Beach roundabout where Pensacola Beach Boulevard meets the island’s main roads. The 162-room hotel operated for years as the Margaritaville Beach Hotel and relaunched as an independent resort on June 1, 2023, under the management of Pensacola-based Corsair Hospitality Group. The rebrand came with renovations to the guest rooms and common areas, and the property now markets itself as a private resort with more than 800 feet of Gulf frontage and beach access reserved for guests.

Rooms face either the Gulf or the lagoon side of the property, and many include private balconies. Room categories include Gulf-side kings among other layouts, with tile baths and substantial wood furnishings. The resort is a conventional hotel with a staffed front desk and concierge, so it works well for travelers who want daily service and on-site dining rather than a condo with a kitchen. Complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center and event space round out the facilities. The event spaces host weddings, receptions and corporate meetings, and the Gulf-front setting lets groups pair indoor function space with time on the beach.

The pool deck is the center of daytime activity. A heated, zero-entry pool looks out over the beach, which makes it an easy option for families with small children and for anyone who prefers to wade in rather than climb down a ladder. Beach chair rentals are available on the sand, and the resort arranges activities such as paddle boarding and dolphin-watching trips aboard an open-air powerboat. The Gulf water off this stretch of Santa Rosa Island is typically clear and green in the warmer months, and the sand is the fine quartz that Pensacola Beach is known for.

Dining stays close to the water. Windrose serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a coastal menu, The Tiki Bar pours cocktails at the pool for resort guests, and The Salty Rose Beach Bar and Grill handles casual meals right by the beach. Having three venues on site means guests can spend a full day at the resort without moving the car, which is useful on busy summer weekends when parking in the Casino Beach area fills quickly.

Location is a major draw. The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, the Casino Beach boardwalk and the restaurants and shops around the Quietwater Beach Boardwalk on the sound side are all within walking distance, and the Portofino Boardwalk and Gulf Breeze are a short drive away. Heading west on Fort Pickens Road leads to the Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, with its historic fort, campground, bike path and undeveloped beaches. Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola International Airport are roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive across the Pensacola Bay Bridge, depending on traffic.