12 of the Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Pensacola - The Family Vacation Guide (2023)

FAQs

Is Pensacola a good place for a family? ›

Families visiting the Pensacola Bay Area expect to have fun in the sun. With some of the world's most beautiful beaches and an abundance of outdoor activities, it is an easy place for families to enjoy.

New Resort Coming to Naples in 2024

Great Wolf Lodge South Florida will become the brand's 21st resort in North America, featuring 500 family-friendly suites and an expansive 100,000-square-foot indoor water park.

In the area around Casino Beach it's usually pretty crowded. But all you need to do if you prefer to dodge the crowds is to make a short drive west or east. If you drive west you get to the Fort Pickens area, where you always find a lot of private space.

While Destin offers a high-end experience with world-class restaurants, golf courses, and activities for families, Pensacola is the perfect beach town getaway with its relaxed atmosphere and lack of tourists. No matter which city you choose to visit in Florida's Panhandle, there's something for everyone!

While families can enjoy plenty of activities in both cities, Destin tends to have more kid-friendly activities. If the rough conditions close the beach to swimming, you and your kids can still enjoy water fun in Destin.

If you are a family of five, look for hotels with the word “suite” in the name. Think: Candlewood Suites, Country Inn and Suites, Embassy Suites — the list goes on. You can often find standard hotel rooms that fit a family of five at properties like these, usually with two double beds and a sofa bed.

Although some hotels do offer cots, the maximum capacity of a room should never exceed four adults. This is because of fire codes and insurance policies. Having too many guests could obstruct or congest the room's primary egress. More importantly, the hotel needs to be accountable for all its guests.

St. Augustine is one of the most family-friendly vacation spots in the U.S. It's a fantastic destination for toddlers, tweens, teens … everyone.

Definition. A lodge is a place that provides accommodation in exchange for payment while a guest house is a private house offering accommodation to paying guests.

How old do you have to be to stay in a hotel alone in Florida? ›

The minimum age to enter into a contract in Florida is 18 years old. This means that individuals who are 18 years old or older can legally book and stay in a hotel room on their own. However, there are exceptions to the minimum age requirement.

People visit Pensacola all throughout the year, although the major tourist season is the summer, beginning at about the middle of April and continuing on through the end of August. During this time of year, the rates on accommodations are generally higher and the lines for attractions are generally longer.

Opal Beach

The gulf side boasts powdery white sand and crystal clear ocean waters, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in the Pensacola area.

Pensacola Beach

It is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and on either side by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore. You can swim, fish, kayak and play at one of two area beach parks: Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach.

Destin is a more crowded and 'touristy' location, but it also offers more things to do and more selections for shopping and dining. Pensacola Beach, on the other hand, offers a smaller area, fewer things to do, but a more authentic experience overall.

Whiter, softer sand and beautiful emerald waters. As far as which is nicer between Destin and Pensacola, they are pretty similar. Pensacola tends to have a more natural feel though with areas of undeveloped beaches between PCola Beach and Navarre or Ft. Pickens.

Both Destin and Pensacola (and all of the Emerald Coast towns) feature the same gorgeous clear blue-green waters and silky-white sand.

When comparing the travel costs between Destin and Pensacola, we can see that Pensacola is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal.

The truth is, both are great choices depending on what you're looking for in a beach vacation. If you want more history and activity options, go with Pensacola. But if you want peace and quiet with fewer crowds, Orange Beach is probably your best bet.

There are 43.01 miles from Pensacola to Destin in east direction and 48 miles (77.25 kilometers) by car, following the US-98 route. Pensacola and Destin are 1 hour 6 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .

Can you sleep 6 people in a 4 person hotel room? ›

In the U.S., generally not. The State or local fire inspector will have determined a legal maximum occupancy for each room or type of room. For rooms with 2 beds, that's generally 4 people.

No, hotels typically don't mind if 5 people stay in a 2 person room. However, it is important to check with the hotel beforehand as some may have restrictions on how many people can occupy a single room.

Do kids count as hotel guests? Policy varies by chain, but typically kids under 18 stay free in the parents room. Check policy with the hotel when making your reservation. While the kids may be free, if you require a crib or roll-a-way, there may be an additional charge.

Because you split your fare with your travel partner, you get considerably more value for your money than if you were to stay in a luxury room alone or enjoy absolute opulence for the same price you could a three-star hotel.

Generally speaking, most hotel rooms will allow 2 adults and 2 children to share a hotel room. Bear in mind the definition of the word "child" will vary too. The rule might state "children under the age of 12" or "kids under 17 stay free".

If they find out a third person was staying in the room without their knowledge, it could result in fines and/or being asked to leave immediately. It's always best to be honest with hotel staff about how many people will be occupying a single room so that everyone can have an enjoyable stay!

Never leave a child alone in your hotel room. You wouldn't leave your baby home alone to grab a bite to eat. Don't let the vacation cause you to lose your common sense. Monitor or no monitor, resist the temptation, even if your hotel room is within sight.

Hotel room rates are based on double occupancy. You usually don't have to pay extra for kids in the room. But hotels often charge $20 to $50 per additional adult per night, Banas says. To avoid this fee, you need to be aware of it before you book so that you can search for another hotel that doesn't charge it.

The area from Destin, Florida to Panama City, Florida is known to have the clearest water in Florida. This area has been awarded the Blue Wave Beach Award for clarity, water quality, and beauty.

Where is the nicest place in Florida? ›

Along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida is Sarasota—home to some of America's best beaches, like Siesta Key Beach. Sarasota consistently holds the top spots for places to live in Florida on many “best places” lists.

There are several types of hotels that can be considered hostile, including: Budget Hotels: These hotels often have lower rates, but may compromise on security and cleanliness. Party Hotels: These hotels are known for their lively atmosphere and can attract rowdy guests who may engage in criminal activity.

Room attendant duties involve cleaning the guest rooms, replenishing supplies, cleaning bathrooms and public areas, and seeing to the needs of the guests. Housekeeper's (household) duties involve managing the household and supervising the servants. Room attendants are found in hotels, motels, inns, lodges, etc.

Inns are typically smaller than hotels and have fewer features. They may offer room service, but they typically do not have a restaurant or other amenities. Unlike B&Bs, inns tend to offer more services such as local tours and event planning.

Hotels are legally justified to refuse to rent to minors, on the basis those individuals under 18 years of age can void a contract and, therefore, cannot not be held responsible for their actions.

Imposing an age restriction of at least 18 makes it less likely for hotels to be responsible for underage visitors who drink alcohol from the minibar. In some cases, hotels you can book at 18 will require guests to be at least 21 if checking in alone, partly because of this reason.

Yes, it is possible for a hotel to deny a room to a guest who does not have a valid form of identification. Most hotels require guests to present a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport, when checking in.

Famed for its soft white sand, emerald-hued waters, and a carefree, easy-going atmosphere, Pensacola Beach has long been a favorite, family-friendly beach destination that locals cherish and newcomers embrace.

The Cost of Living in Pensacola is Affordable

Truth be told, though, the significant reason for Pensacola's affordability is its surprisingly low housing costs. (More on those in just a moment.) If you look at miscellaneous and utility expenses, they're higher than the national average.

Residents experience much lower housing prices than the U.S. average and lower taxes than various towns and cities in Florida. Overall, Pensacola is known as an affordable place to live, primarily based on its low cost of living.

What is the best time of the year to go to Pensacola Florida? ›

The best time to visit Pensacola is between mid-September and October when both spring breakers and family vacationers have departed the city, leaving the beaches, attractions and restaurants devoid of peak season crowds. The weather is still moderate this time of year, and the risk of hurricanes wanes, too.

With a crime rate of 34 per one thousand residents, Pensacola has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 29.

Ferry Pass

The area is known for its affordable housing, good schools, and family-friendly atmosphere. Residents are in a great location, with the Pensacola Airport to the south and the University of West Florida in the north.

Pensacola Beach

It is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and on either side by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore. You can swim, fish, kayak and play at one of two area beach parks: Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach.

Opal Beach

The gulf side boasts powdery white sand and crystal clear ocean waters, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in the Pensacola area.

There's no opening nor closing times for the beach except for the state park beaches (ex. Ft. Pickens) that open at sunrise & close at sunset.

The low or slowest season for Pensacola Beach, FL is between mid-January and March, making this the best time to visit the area if you are looking for a cheaper Florida vacation.

Pensacola has dealt with these impacts since its founding. Pensacola's first hurricane was recorded in 1559—the year Spanish colonists established the first settlement here. Since 1975, Pensacola has been directly hit by eight hurricanes and even more tropical storms.

Is Pensacola a party town? ›

Whether you're looking to explore Pensacola nightlife or an evening of family fun, there is a prodigious selection of fun spots and events on the calendar. Take your pick from dive bars, late-night Irish pubs, dueling pianos, nightclubs, live music, cabarets, and more!

Note that Pensacola natives are referred to as Pensacolans/Pensacolians.