Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach

The main floor at the Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach has a brightly lit breakfast area, simply decorated in yellow and white. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is Gilligan’s Tiki Bar, a modest outdoor watering hole with a straw roof and bar stools but no dining tables. Guests also gather outdoors at two kidney-shaped swimming pools, both surrounded by blue reclining chairs -- one is heated seasonally. On the business front, there's a carpeted board room with a table for eight and a TV, and a 24-hour business center with two computers and a fax machine. The ballrooms, with salmon-colored chairs and bare beige walls, feel more suited to business than, say, a formal wedding.

Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico, amid many other beachfront hotels. While there’s a Crabs We Got Em seafood restaurant within walking distance, the majority of restaurants are on the other side of a toll bridge -- not the best setup for families with kids. The hotel is about nine miles from the attractions of historic downtown Pensacola, such as the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Guest rooms have dark wood furniture, white and lime green bedding, and nearly-bare walls. Rooms have a coffeemaker, alarm clock radio, mini-fridge, and microwave. Some suites are more upscale, with full kitchens including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and dark wood cabinetry. Bathrooms appear updated, with light tile floors and granite-like countertops. Some have separate bathtubs and showers. While some guests complained that cleanliness was hit-or-miss, others praised the Gulf views, which may be worth the additional expense. The small private balconies overlook the pool or beach, with white plastic chairs.

The property offers a handful of features not typically found at beach resorts. Tiki Island Family Golf is a miniature golf course with clubs available for rent. There’s also Tiki Island Arcade, an indoor family game area with with a snack bar serving ice cream and a custom T-shirt airbrushing business. There are also two outdoor pools, sand volleyball, and a modest tiki bar. The fitness center is small but offers cardio machines, free weights, and medicine balls. A coin-operated guest laundry room has two washers and two dryers, plus a TV. Detergent is available for purchase at the front desk. The free continental breakfast includes a make-your-own-waffle station, and there’s a beverage station with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate packets.