2 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
On the beach in Pensacola with access to the Gulf of Mexico
Daily free breakfast included in reservation
Two outdoor pools with lounge chairs and ocean views
Miniature golf and an arcade on-site
Simple rooms with flat-screen TVs, some with water views
Freebies include Wi-Fi, parking, coffee, and tea
Family-friendly atmosphere
Rates are lower than other nearby beachfront hotels
Toll-road separates hotel from restaurants within walking distance
Housekeeping can be hit or miss
Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach is a 181-room, budget hotel set on a Gulf of Mexico beach in Pensacola. Accommodations range from basic rooms to suites with slightly more upscale finishes -- the best rooms have balconies with views of the water. There are two outdoor pools and a Tiki-style bar that lend a fun, family-oriented vibe. Overall, the hotel has more family-friendly amenities than most value properties, including a mini-golf course and an arcade room.
Scene
Value hotel on the beach offering good bang for your buck
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.
Location
Beachfront location is a plus, but toll bridge is a downer
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.
Rooms
Basic guest rooms are modest, but suites offer more upscale features
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.
Features
Family-friendly amenities include free hot breakfast, miniature golf, and arcade
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.