What's Your Story?
Posted on May 13, 2012
It’s always refreshing to hear from our return guests and why they choose Paradise. Whether it’s the location, the vibe, the music, the food, or the people that keep bringing you back, we’d love to hear about it. A guest recently wrote us a very generous email, sharing his experience. We’d like to share his story with you.
Our vacation to Pensacola Beach each year is always highlighted by our visits to Paradise Inn.
The good food, the excellent bands, the down to earth prices, and especially the
"real person" staff and all their idiosyncratic personalities, have all contributed to the best of times during our visits.
IN case you can't tell I especially like the staff there.
They have not been not sterilized by a overbearing micromanaging management and I enjoy the very real interaction with them.
It makes it feel more like family, like I can really talk to them. I don't expect Mr or Ms perfect this is much better, I get to know them too.
Paradise Inn has become our "The place to go" every year.
During our last visit in March this year 2012, I bought one of your "T" shirts. Blue Green in color and nice graphics.
I was approached by someone while visiting the bar and wearing it one night and it was someone behind the bar who had something to do with the "T" shirt,
I don't know if she designed the shirts, ordered the shirts or If it was her idea to sell them but I have to tell you,
I have trouble getting a T shirt to fit right because I have a long trunk and they are always too short,
This Paradise Inn "T" shirt fits SO well it has become my favorite and I am always looking for it when its in the wash
Just another nice job and a feather in your cap Paradise Inn,
I wanted to personally thank the Lady for the "t" shirt
and say
I will always visit your establishment every year,
It has become my favorite destination, Not just Pensacola Beach anymore,
Now Its more like ,
Lets go to paradise!
(meaning Paradise Inn of course).
Would you like to share your Paradise story? Simply send us an email at info@paradiseinn-pb.com Who knows, we might feature yours next.
Spring Break
Posted on February 29, 2012
It’s that time of year again! Thousands of students, tired of writing research papers, cramming for exams, and sleeping through lectures, get to have a week off, and spend it however they choose. For many, it’s an easy choice. They stick to the American Spring Break tradition which includes sun, sand, and booze.
The tradition started back in 1935 when a group of university athletes chose to visit Florida during their break so that they could have a warm place to exercise. They fell in love with our beautiful beaches and spring climate and quickly converted more of their peers to join them for the next break. The popularity of spring break grew, and today hundreds of thousands of students, visit Florida every year in the spring.
Many cities in Florida cater to the MTV-style, Spring Break party, where the focus is on festival-size crowds partying on the beach. In the recent years, however, some students have shifted towards an alternative spring break, known as ASB. These students seek out a healthier alternative, choosing rather to focus on self-improvement or community service, rather than recreating scenes from “The Hangover”.
To those wanting a healthy, active and fun spring break, Paradise has a new “Fun Store” on its property. This store specializes in sales and rentals of beach equipment such as surf boards, stand-up-paddle boards, kayaks, bikes, kites, beach chairs, umbrellas, and skateboards. http://funstorefl.comSpend your days exploring the island and Gulf of Mexico by bike or kayak, your evening listening to live music in one of the top ten Florida beach bars www.floridabeachbar.com, Paradise Bar & Grill, http://www.paradisebar-grill.com/calendar.htm, and your nights in a cozy, newly-renovated Paradise Inn room.
Whatever your style may be, Pensacola Beach is that little beach town that knows how to party, yet is not so crowded that you can’t enjoy some unspoiled natural beaches, kayak next to dolphins, or ride a bike to an old beach fort, Ft. Pickens, where Geronimo was once held captive. The island is a close driving destination from most southern universities, and has plenty of sun, sand, and island spirit.
This spring break, visit paradise, for a vacation that nourishes your body, spirit, and soul!
Come. Sit. Stay.
Posted on February 7, 2012
The Pensacola bay area is very popular with pet owners. With excessive amounts of sunshine, beautiful nature trails, and waterfront parks designed to cater to a dog’s sense of playfulness and social needs, Pensacola is a “purrfect” destination for pet lovers.
If you and your four-legged friend want to stay close to the sugar-white beaches of Pensacola Beach Island, Paradise Inn is your spot. We are the only pet-friendly hotel on the island, and we happily accept pets of all sizes for a small fee of $25 per pet per stay. So instead of boarding your furry companion, consider bringing your pet, staying with us, and experiencing a paradise pet’s way of life.
There are two annual festivals in Pensacola that are all about pets. The first festival, the Mardi Gras Kid and Kritter Krawl takes place at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 11 at the main parking lot on Pensacola Beach. As part of the Gulf Coast Mardi Gras festivities, a parade of dogs, cats, lizards, hamsters and other unique pets are dressed in purple, green, and gold garb to show off their Mardi Gras spirit and flair. Spectators can expect plenty of comedic sights as well as candy, beads, and moon pies. For more information call (850) 932-1500 or visit www.pensacolabeachchamber.com.
The second festival, Barktoberfest, takes place in October in the historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. The festival is an opportunity for dogs to compete, eat, play, and mingle with other dogs, while raising money for local humane society. This event always has a great turnout and is a lot of fun!
If you can’t make it to either of these festivals, don’t fret. There are still plenty of fun outdoor activities that you and your pet can participate in. During the hot summer months, many locals head north to cool off in one of the cool springs, rivers, or creeks. Adventures Unlimited, located in Milton, offers canoe rentals to those interested in making a day-trip down the river. For an extra $10, renters may bring their dog along for the trip. Call (850) 623-6197 for directions and more info.
Along the picturesque Scenic Highway, a coastal drive along the Pensacola Bay, lies the Bay Bluffs Park. A hilly terrain with built-in boardwalks, nature trails, shaded bluffs, and miles of sand and water, this park is ideal for people and pets. Pack a picnic, some Frisbees, and lots of water, and make a day of it. Don’t forget to keep your dog on a leash and bring plenty of doggie bags.
Further South, nestled between the hip East Hill neighborhood and Bayou Texar, lies Bayview Dog Park. With protected swimming areas and over 1 acre of off-leash play area, Bayview is considered as one of the nicest dog parks in the city. It is only a 15 minute drive from Paradise and a great place for people and dogs to socialize. And if you want to read up on your dog park etiquette, check out this humorous piece from the New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/susanorlean/2011/10/the-social-animal.html
If you and your pet want to check out the historic downtown area, visit the pet-friendly Palafox Pier. This beautiful port area welcomes historic ships several times a year and also hosts art festivals on a regular basis. Along the marina, sits Jaco’s, a fine dining restaurant with excellent wine, salads, and flatbread pizzas. Jaco’s outdoor seating area accepts well-behaved pets, and it’s a great place to watch the sun set over the beautiful marina. Other pet-friendly restaurants located in downtown Pensacola include the popular Hopjacks (850) 497-6073, and the Five Sister’s Blues Café (850) 912-4856.
Closer to the Island, in the beautiful suburban town of Gulf Breeze, lies two dog-friendly parks, only 7 minutes away from Paradise. On the West side of the toll bridge, lies the Shoreline Bark park, right along the idyllic shoreline drive. This park has a fenced in area with benches and doggie bags. The sidewalks that stretch along shoreline drive and park are also great for a run or walk with your pet. The park is also family friendly, as it includes tennis courts, a disc golf course, and a skate ramp.
On the East side of the toll bridge, lies the Naval Live Oaks Reservation of National Seashore, a state park with beautiful live oaks, miles of hiking, and a habitat for gray squirrels. It’s a perfect place to explore with your pet, however the water and the buildings are off-limits. Remember to keep your dog on it’s leash at all times and to provide plenty of water.
For those wanting to stick close to Paradise, and simply chill on the island, a dog beach and run is located on our property. Close to the dog beach, along our private beach, are plenty of lawn chairs so that you and your pet can chill by the water. The dog run is fenced in, and is perfect for the pet that needs to run off some energy without a leash.
There are also a number of restaurants on the island, that provide outdoor eating for customer’s who want to bring their four-legged friends. Flounder’s, a popular seafood restaurant with a volleyball net and live music, allows pets. Call (850) 932-2003 for more info. The Boardwalk Café, located on the boardwalk, an outdoor shopping and eating complex on the water, has an outdoor pet-friendly area as well. Other restaurants include Surfburger (850) 932-1417, Lillo’s (850) 934-5456, and the Florida Pizza Kitchen www.floridapizzakitchen.com (850) 932-1417.
When bringing a pet to Pensacola, there are a few things you may want to know. No pets are ever allowed on the beach along the Gulf. Pets must always be kept on a leash unless they’re in a leash-free area such as a fenced in park. Never leave a pet in the car, even with the window’s cracked. Vehicles heat up very quickly during the summertime in Florida. Always make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, and bring plenty of food and water for your pet. You may also want to bring toys and blankets or pillows. And if you need anything while you’re here, be sure to ask any member of our friendly and local staff, and they’ll point you in the right direction.
We always love to have you and your pets stay with us. Our staff loves animals, so be sure to bring your furry friend by the lobby, so we can meet him or her!
Welcome to Paradise!
Posted on January 21, 2012
Hello!
Welcome to the brand new Paradise Inn blog! My name is Victoria and I work as the social media representative and front desk clerk at Paradise.
With so much exciting news on the forecast for 2012, Paradise has decided to create a blog for all our past, present, and future guests. We want to keep our favorite people up-to-date on all the insider information, specials, and events!
If you’ve ever visited Paradise, you know that this is a place that prides itself on being a local business that caters to those seeking a genuine Pensacola Beach experience. This is not the Hilton, nor the Mariott, but a retro motel that is unique, comfortable, intimate and welcoming. It’s a place noteworthy for it’s Bar and Grill, that hosts famous blues musicians from around the world and fresh seafood cooked the way the locals eat it. Sporting it's own pier and private beach, it's also a place to enjoy activities such as boating, fishing and stand-up-paddle boarding.
To add to it's uniqueness, Paradise is the only pet-friendly accomodation on Pensacola Beach. We love animals and accept pets of all sizes. We even have our own private dog beach on the property!
With locals and tourists from around the world enjoying the laid-back beach atmosphere, Paradise has become a local hub to for those wanting to enjoy the best of the Gulf Coast lifestyle.
In this blog, we want to share with you not only the events happening at Paradise, but also on the island and in historic downtown Pensacola. We want to fill you in on all the local secrets, so that when you stay and play in Paradise, you’ll feel at home.
If there is anything that you would like to know about, or contribute, please feel free to connect with me on twitter, https://twitter.com/#!/ParadiseInn21 , or on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003295963385 . Check back weekly for my new posts, and when you visit Paradise Inn, stop by the front desk and say hello!
