Holiday Inn Resort

By Angela Ash

Just for a moment, close your eyes.  Pay no attention to your phone ringing, the dark barking, or the television commercials blaring from the living room. Imagine the most fabulous resort experience that your mind can conjure up on short notice.  You are steps away from the beach, your room opens up to the warm breezes of the Gulf, and there are so many amenities that boredom does not exist.  Your lips will refuse to even whisper the word.  The service is so friendly that it is almost unreal, and a pinch or two may be necessary from time to time.  Now open your eyes.  You have successfully traveled back home from the Holiday Inn Resort in Pensacola, Florida.  And you thought you needed ruby slippers for that, didn't you? 

The Holiday Inn Resort is absolutely gorgeous!  It is located right on the beach... not across from it, not around the corner, not through a parking garage.  The only separation between you and the Gulf of Mexico is is miles of sugary, white sand, that offers your feet the best pedicure nature can provide! You are right in the middle of the action here.. within walking distance of restaurants, nightlife, and plenty of shopping.  This is most definitely the place to be in Pensacola.

The rooms, staying with the theme so far, are spectacular.  While many different room options are available, I love the beachfront King rooms, that offer a pullout sleeper, a mini fridge and microwave, and a private balcony that affords views that are put on postcards. However, if you plan on traveling with the kids, a family suite with living area, two private balconies, beach and sound views, two queen beds, and a partitioned kids room with bunk beds is an absolute MUST.  Your children will love you for it.  They might even sleep late a day or two. And did I mention the complimentary WiFi?

But who can really sleep in with so much to do? The amenities at this resort are almost crazy.  You will be swimming daily at the absolute BEST pool on the beach, with a 250 foot lazy river, and a refreshing, cascading waterfall.  A nice, little path quickly connects you to the beach, with showers in between for your "get this sand out of my bikini" convenience.  And want to heat up and relax a bit?  Then slip into one of two hot tubs, or grab an expertly mixed adult beverage from the Beachfront Tiki Bar! If there's a quick summer shower, then take a dip in the indoor pool!

If you are ready to dry out a bit, play a while in the game room or at one of the game tables right by the pool. You can work out in the fitness facility, send some emails or catch up on a quick proposal at the business center, or grab lunch at Riptides Sports Grill... right in the lobby. 

And there is even more for the little ones! With a supervised activity program, "Dive-Inn" movies, and interactive mermaid and pirate shows, the Holiday Inn Resort is one of the few places without a princess castle that offers this much for children... and they even eat for free! 

This is one of the best properties that I have experienced.  With the Holiday Inn name, you automatically expect a level of service, but this resort exceeds even the highest expectation. Have you ever had "hotel envy" before?  You know, when you're driving down the road and you see the hotel that you wish you were staying in?  No such luck here.  I found myself telling people proudly where my home base was.  I honestly snuck it in whenever even semi-appropriate.  (I'm not so sure the cashier at Walmart was so interested, but I told her about the lazy river, anyway.)

Visit the Holiday Inn Resort online for additional information, or call 850-932-5331.