11 Best Beachfront Hotels in Pensacola, Florida

The stunning Pensacola is a 40-mile pristine sandy-beach-and-turquoise waters playground on Santa Rosa Island in the Floridian Gulf. Despite being part of Florida, it’s entirely independent of mainland Florida and is a fabulous beach destination in its own right. The long stretches of white sandy beaches are great for water activities, discovering marine life, and even exploring shipwrecks. But the cherry on top is staying along the gorgeous shoreline. The best options for a beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida (FL) range from cheap to luxe ones, and some even have stretches of private beach. The variety of freshly-caught seafood, shopping complexes, historical attractions, and more make staying here all the more exciting. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the 11 best cheap and luxurious beachfront hotels in Pensacola, Florida (FL) on the beach.

Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach

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The Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach is the best beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida. It sits on a secluded sandy beach stretching far in both directions, making for an unsurpassed location. The beach is right out front, so you step right onto the soft sand when you walk along the wooden Boardwalk. Plus, the hotel sets up beach umbrellas, daybeds, and towels for those who want to laze under the Floridian sun.

Back at the hotel, you’ll find gorgeous rooms and suites with fridges, coffee machines, and TVs, with the beachfront digs even featuring huge balconies overlooking the ocean. Your mornings begin with a free breakfast buffet, and enjoy coffee throughout the day in the lobby. Even the courtyard is a veritable playground, with a graceful freeform pool, sun loungers, bar, and shaded pagodas. A fabulous restaurant and bar wrap up the amenities here. It’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Pensacola, FL.

Hilton Pensacola Beach

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The Hilton Pensacola Beach is one of the best cheap hotels in Pensacola, FL. Did you know that it’s also one of the top gay-friendly hotels in Pensacola, FL? So, it’s perfect for LGBTQ couples as well. This La Caribe resort sits right in front of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and sits right on the sands. So, stepping off the hotel grounds puts you right on the beach. Back at the hotel, the rooms and suites are stylish and comfortable, and the best ones even have balconies with fabulous ocean views. What’s more, the hotel has a long list of amenities, including a large oceanfront pool where you can swim and relax. After a swim, dig into delicious food at the award-winning restaurant, complete with sea views. The 24-hour business center, sun terrace, and an indoor pool complex wrap up the amenities here.

Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach

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The Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach is the best beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida. The hotel’s highlight is the waterfront location, as Pensacola Beach is right out front. A short sandy stretch of land and a wooden walkway connect the hotel premises and the beach, where blue umbrellas and daybeds stretch out over the sand. After you’ve had your fill lounging by the beach, the beachfront courtyard awaits, complete with two swimming pools and a tiki bar. After a languorous swim, lounge on the daybeds and enjoy refreshing cocktails. When the hunger pangs come calling, the restaurant and bar have more than food and drink choices to keep you satiated. You’ll love the roomy digs, too, with plush furnishings, flatscreen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. The best ones, though, are the seafront ones with private balconies and views of the beach and the ocean.

Margaritaville Beach Hotel

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Margaritaville Beach Hotel sits nicely on a secluded stretch of coast, but with the Pensacola Beach pier within a stone’s throw. Hence, it’s one of the most enviably located hotels on Pensacola Beach, making it a quiet yet exciting spot to stay. The spacious digs here are the epitome of beach-chic, with huge windows and balconies (the best rooms, mind you), plush decor, and simple nautical themes. The hotel has a slew of activities, but those who simply want to unwind will love the elegant pool terrace. It has not only a large pool but also sun loungers and a casual tiki bar from where you can enjoy small snacks and cocktails. Is the beach more to your taste? A long wooden walkway leads to the beach, where you’ll find hammocks, beach volleyball, daybeds, umbrellas, fire pits, and even a bar!

Beach Club Resort & Spa

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The Beach Club Resort & Spa is the most indulgent beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida. It sits at the quieter eastern end of Pensacola Beach and is a cinch for beach bums. Those who love beachfront digs will love the large and bright but elegant suites, all of which have luxe bathrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. But, the beachfront suites are the best, with huge furnished balconies and spectacular views over the Gulf. That said, the beach club is the main draw here. The central courtyard boasts a massive freeform pool with sun loungers and fabulous beach views. Even the beach is a hop, skip, and jump across the wooden walkway. During afternoons, retreat to the marble-lined Aqua Spa or work out in the gym. End the day with a delicious Floridian dinner at one of the restaurants.

Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach

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The Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach is perfect for travelers who want to stay in the heart of all the action. Delivering wholesome holiday fun, this resort is a hit with both couples and families. All rooms are bright, large, and decked out in ocean-themed hues. What’s more, they also have mod-cons such as mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers, but the best ones look out to the sea and even have furnished oceanfront balconies. The large beachside pool area is the center of all activity, complete with a lazy river, wooden bridges, and rock waterfalls. Just beyond the lush gardens, a wooden walkway leads out to the sandy beach with sunbeds and brightly-colored umbrellas. And, of course, lounging by the pool allows you to order snacks and drinks from the poolside grill and tiki bar.

Soundside Holiday Beach Resort

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If you’re looking for a condo beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida, that’s also affordable, then look no further than the Soundside Holiday Beach Resort. Choose from a host of luxurious and modern two-bedroom condos built in classic beach-shack style. What’s more, they all have warm marigold palettes, floral prints, retro furnishings, and fully-equipped kitchens. The highlight, though, is the private furnished patios, the best of which face out to the beach and the ocean. When you leave the confines of your room, head to the wooden pool deck with shaded umbrellas, benches, a BBQ area with stone tables, and an outdoor hot tub. If you feel like the ocean, the private beach lies just across the shaded wooden walkway.

Surf & Sand Hotel

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If you’re visiting Pensacola with your furry companions, then Surf & Sand Hotel is ideal for you. That’s because it’s one of the top pet-friendly hotels in Pensacola, Florida. This oceanfront hotel is rather unique, as it has a soft sandy beach, albeit an artificial one overlooking Little Sabine Bay. So, while you can lounge on the sand and get that oceanside feeling, you can’t enter the water. So, it’s perfect for those who love the feeling of the ocean but don’t want actually to enter the water!

This great budget option offers a relaxed social vibe and an impressive list of amenities. These include the pool deck, a fire pit, bikes, floats, paddleboards, kayaks, and even a delicious breakfast. You’ll love the rooms, too, as they feature comfy furnishings and are decked out in soothing aqua and blue color schemes. Mod-cons such as mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and flatscreen TVs complete them. 

Portofino Island Resort & Spa

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The Portofino Island Resort & Spa is the best beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida. This amazing resort overlooks a secluded beachy stretch along the Gulf Islands National Seashore. For those who love condo living but in a resort, this place with two/three-bedroom condos spread across five towers is perfect. What’s more, every tower has its own exclusive outdoor pool, a whirlpool spa, and spectacular views over the Santa Rose Sound or the Gulf of Mexico from spacious balconies in the condos. What’s more, there are multiple dining options too, but the beach is the star here. A wooden walkway and a sandy path lead down to the narrow straip of the beach, complete with sun loungers, umbrellas, and towels. Additional perks like complimentary water taxi services, dolphin cruises, etc., complete the offerings.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Navarre Beach

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SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Navarre Beach is an upmarket, all-suite hotel that sits on a stretch of pristine, white-sand beach. You have direct access to one of the gorgeous stretches of sand in Pensacola in the form of Navarre Beach, which can be accessed via a wooden walkway right from the pool deck. Sun loungers, umbrellas, and pristine sandy stretches make it an excellent place to lounge throughout the day. Back at the hotel, you’ll find a beautifully-maintained pool deck with indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, lush lawns, and a highly-rated restaurant and beach bar. The cherries on top are the suites with amazing in-room service, mid-cons, private balconies, and ocean views. 

Best Western Beachside Resort

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The Best Western Beachside Resort is the best beachfront hotel in Pensacola, Florida. This amazing budget hotel sits right on the sands of a secluded beach, which is accessible via a wooden walkway. There are even umbrellas and chairs at the beach for guests to use. Back at the hotel, there’s a pool courtyard with two lovely pools and even a large splash pad for kids. Kids and adults alike will enjoy meals at the onsite restaurant and bar, and there’s even a sun terrace and a gym for adults to relax or work out. Rooms and suites are simple but come with all mod-cons and views of either the inland or the Sound. The best ones have beach-facing windows and furnished balconies as well.

Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Pensacola, Florida

• The Flora-Bama Yacht Club: This relaxed, open-air beachside restaurant dishes out cocktails, creative seafood, and live music. Watch the boats pulling directly up to the shore in front of the yacht club as you sip on martinis and try dishes such as Mahi Mahi Reuben, shrimp platter, crab and parmesan hush puppies, and the smoked tuna dip. For after-meal dessert, try the peanut butter pie or key lime pie and wash it down with a peach bellini.
• Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach: This gorgeous waterfront bar and grill with a laid-back vibe and huge outdoor seating offers sweeping views of Pensacola Beach. They have everything from tasty frozen daiquiris to seafood options and the famous Shaggy’s Nachos. Other popular menu items include NOLA-style shrimp po-boy, coconut shrimp, and fried pickles.

Recommended Things To Do in Pensacola, Florida

• Night Glow Kayak Session: This is a very unique thing to do in Pensacola. How about heading out in the dark in a brightly lit, completely transparent kayak along the calm Pensacola waterway? Paddle silently along and gaze at the gorgeous night sea views and the marine life that seems to come alive at night. The crazy colors sure make for amazing Instagram-worthy photos.

Best Beach Areas in Pensacola, Florida

The historical and coastal Pensacola is a hidden gem in the Florida panhandle. What’s more, it’s home to some amazing coastal neighborhoods with emerald-green and turquoise waters and white sands. We begin with Pensacola Beach, home to the most gorgeous beach and the Pensacola Beach Pier. It’s also the longest stretch of beach in the region and is also home to the Boardwalk. Secondly, there’s Opal Beach on the barrier island halfway between Navarre and Casino Beaches. What’s more, its shores are part of the spectacular Gulf Islands National Seashore. Meanwhile, Navarre Beach is for people who love laidback neighborhoods. The pristine beaches aside, the place is also a hub for water activities. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also home to the Navarre Beach Marine Park and is a great place for marine enthusiasts.

 Another great neighborhood to add to your list of amazing coastal neighborhoods is Fort Pickens, which is perfect for couples and families. Moreover, this secluded Pensacola Bay neighborhood has stunning waters, and great beachside stays. Other amazing neighborhoods are Perdido Key Beach and Park West Beach.