Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Hotel Open For Business

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jul 2nd 2010 at 11:01AM

I've written before about Jimmy Buffett's impressive empire. In addition to being a successful touring musician and novelist Buffett has a carved out a huge business based on a couple of his songs. There is a whole chain of Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants and Margaritaville cafes in a variety of places including New Orleans, Las Vegas and several Florida resort towns in addition to a beer line made by made by Anheuser-Busch, a tequila made by Seagram, branded clothing, drink blenders and more. All told it reportedly bringing in around $40 million a year. That number might swell with the opening of the first Margaritaville Hotel which debuted on the barrier island of Pensacola Beach in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of last month. Although this isn't optimum timing the 162-room hotel was two years in the making.

The Margaritaville Beach Hotel includes 24 suites, all overlook the bay or the gulf. Visitors will be served fresh Florida orange juice upon arrival. The island-inspired decor features teak and reclaimed oak furnishings, ceiling fans and a palette ofsoft tans, sea greens and blues. There is a pool deck and a beach pavillion called Land Shark Landing with live entertainment. The hotel's restaurant, Frank and Lola Love Pensacola, was named after Buffett's 1982 song about a couple, Frank & Lola, on their second honeymoon in Pensacola. The coastal-influenced menu offers Apalachicola oysters, local fresh seafood and has windows overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. A Margaritaville Restaurant will be opened in the next phase of the development and a water park is also planned for the future. Summer rates start at $199 a night.

Tags: florida hotels, jimmy buffett, margaritaville, pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Florida

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Madison Pealrs Jul 2nd 2010 3:23PM

Looks like a beautiful hotel -- we can't wait to check it out!

- Madison Pearls
http://www.madisonpearls.com

Tim Orris Jul 5th 2010 8:39AM

Every thing souneded great till the last line.$199. a night, may be 199. for a three day weekend but I know I can find hotels with pool in area for about that for a week, just not with water view

SandyK Jul 5th 2010 10:18AM

I wonder if All-Inclusive Hotels with Great Pools will ever become popular in the Continental United States. I would like to spend my little bit of vacation money here but when there's only so much money and I want to enjoy myself for a five days a year, Mexico is the place to go. I know exactly how much it will cost me and I am not worried every time I eat or drink something about how much I am spending.

Lora Jul 10th 2010 9:24PM

No you don't have to worry about what you are spending, just if it will make you deathly sick before the drug dealers cut off your head. I'll take Florida any day.

SandyK Jul 5th 2010 10:20AM

This looks like a beautiful hotel, but $199 per night and still having to spend money on food and drinks, I sure won't be visiting. I wonder if All-Inclusive Hotels with Great Pools will ever become popular in the Continental United States. I would like to spend my little bit of vacation money here but when there's only so much money I want to enjoy myself for a five days a year, Mexico is the place
to go. I know exactly how much it will cost me and I am not worried
every time I eat or drink something about how much I am spending.

Eli Jul 5th 2010 11:10AM

Hotel looks great and is certainly competitive with the other hotels on Pensacola Beach. Once the oil issues past this will be a top destination that should capture more than its share of the visitor revenue. It will also add a little competition to the high prices charged by the other hotels on the beach. Don't let $199 scare you, that is just rack rate. Call the hotel directly, short-term, and make a offer. They will probably accept or at least come back with a lower price for you to consider. There are plenty of good places to eat on the beach at lower prices than a hotel menu. Wander about and you will be glad you did. Keep an eye out for our band, BUmp in the Road Band from Tampa. We might just show up there as the entertainment one weekend.

tiredofbeinburnd Jul 5th 2010 12:55PM

Hopefully the hotel doesn't practice the same attitude of persecution and unfair firing practices some of the other Margaritavilles do.

LAMAR C CHAPMAN III Jul 5th 2010 3:29PM

HEY AMERICA!!!!!! What a wonderful example of what it means to make the most of being an American in America!!!! You can spot a winner a mile away!!! God Bless Mr. Buffett and his dreams - Margaritaville.

Lamar C. Chapman III
Solo Fides (Only by Faith)
Crown-of-Life Recipient 10-24-2004
Sacredotal Ordination July 11, 1991

Dennis Jul 5th 2010 3:34PM

On the Gulf? I bet in a Few weeks and thru out the next few months, you can see them Giving Rooms away!

And I have no idea who would want to go there this time of the Yr..
90's and 80% Humidity? and The Beach/sand is so hot, you best wear shoes..and you will burn your skin in 5 min..

There is a reason that picture shows no-one there..
Noboday in their Right Mind Goes to Florida In the Summer!

eg Wig Jul 5th 2010 7:50PM

Sorry Dennis, but you are mistaken. The Pensacola area derives over 60% of their annual revenue from Memorial day to Labor day. It is a family oriented destination which requires kids to be out of school. When people in Birmingham, Little Rock, Montgomery, Memphis, New Orleans and many other southern states begin feeling the heat in their own areas, they tend to travel south to at least be hot at the beach with Gulf waters to jump in. If you want a deal in Pensacola, go from Oct to March. Just the opposite in Miami and Tampa. Shoes are not needed to enjoy the sand, maybe flip flops to avoid shells.

Bill Jul 10th 2010 10:39AM

I agree. I live on the coast south of Tallahassee...104 yesterday. and about the same in humidity.

Little Jimmy better hope no oil smears that beach. He put a bundle in that over-priced yuppy joint.

$199.00? Ha!

geauxfish1 Jul 5th 2010 11:29PM

The atmosphere is great, but the margaritas are inconsistent with little alcohol. The burgers at the Land Shark Landing left a lot to be desired or should not even be served. I realize this is all new, but this is not our first margarita or burger. Can't wait for the improvements. Good Luck! I love Pensacola.

TRAINCITY2 Jul 6th 2010 2:36AM

SORRY, FOR THAT AREA TOO EXPENSIVE

jim stretch Jul 10th 2010 7:24AM

Always enjoyed Jimmy Buffet's music, don't need his Politic's !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roger Brandt Jul 10th 2010 9:46AM

Was in the process of booking a trip there with my wife until he opened his mouth regarding President Bush and the BP disaster. I will never buy another Buffet CD again! The music collections on my yachts will be changed!

David Jul 10th 2010 12:29PM

I have been a parrothead for 35 years + and even though my political beliefs do not favor Mr Bush and I cant stand what BP has done to the Gulf that has nothing to do with the musical pleasure and talent we have all enjoyed for years from Jimmy Buffett a true fan would understand that. Goodluck Jimmy with your new venture. look forward on staying there someday. Thanks

HABRAKAH Jul 10th 2010 5:45PM

Good Luck on your endeavor. Jimmy was always fun to listen to as long as he had a guitar and was singing. Sorry about the Gulf Oil Spill. This country and BP should be able to make it all better.

Harvey Jul 10th 2010 6:42PM

Read Atlas Shrugged. About what we are seeing with the government and
our country. Written by a Russian escapee in the 1950's about what
would happen in the U.S. if the left ever got enough money and power.
Very revealing and sobering. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand used to be
required reading in high schools and colleges around the nation. Now
they are trying to get it banned. What does the left have to hide?
Find out, read the book. They are and will ruin our economy and way
of life.