Stay overnight in the past, wake up to peace and quiet, and enjoy tasteful and antiquated décor while in beautiful Pensacola, Florida!
A New Adventure
In 1998 Barbee Major and her husband decided to embark on a new adventure, by opening up the beautiful Pensacola Victorian B&B. When asked why they decided to buy and operate their own bed and breakfast, Barbee tells me it was an opportunity that presented itself while on vacation in Pensacola the previous year.
“It would allow us to move to Pensacola and be by the ocean. Always lived on a coast except in St. Louis, so being by the water was a huge pull. Also, having been in the restaurant business and having a production and public relations company for 10 years, it wasn’t really a stretch.”
But prior to their purchasing the building in the late ‘90s, the house already had quite the long standing history.
The History of the Victorian
In existence since 1892, it was originally owned and constructed by William Hazard Northup. Staying in his family until approximately the mid-1950s, the house was then used as a boarding house by the proceeding owners. Following that, a woman who is still spoken of to this day by locals, named Prudence, purchased the property, operating a gift and antique shop. And by the time Barbee came around, it had, by then, long been used as a fraternity house for the University of West Florida. Overgrown and in need of desperate maintenance by that time, the Majors were anxious to get to work on shaping up the place and getting the B&B up and running.
Barbee mentions that, for her, the most unique part of the property is its history. And there’s no question it has a special place in the community. Not only had the original owner been captain of a coastwide schooner, but he was eventually elected mayor of Pensacola. In addition to that, he was also appointed him Collector of Customs at the Port of Pensacola in 1907 by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt.
With a life that afforded him many incredible experiences and accolades, his name is an important one in the community of Pensacola.
The B&B
While the structure may seem grand, the rooms are limited to only four, making it a super cozy, home-away-from home feel. Prices range throughout the year and by room between $95-150 per night.
Not bad if you want to stay some place relaxing and close to the downtown area. Which actually brings up another issue. Why stay here and not somewhere else in the greater Pensacola area while visiting?
While there may not be a view of the ocean from where you’re staying, you can feel that ocean breeze both in and all around you while staying here. The b&b is remarkably quiet, the only noise you ever hear is when you first walk inside, where you will find an old-fashioned radio playing 1930s music in the living room/lobby area.
The rooms are comfortable and have everything that you need. They include extra soap, shampoo, towels, and even an ice bucket, which you can fill downstairs in the kitchen area.
The breakfast each morning is your choice of coffee and/or tea, a delicious fruit salad, and of course the most amazing homemade brownies you will have at any b&b in the entire world. Stuffed with
fudge…you will be glad you stayed here just for this reason alone.
The b&b also likes to make their guests as comfortable and at ease as possible. By accommodating people with food issues, catering to vegetarians, vegans or those with allergies, they are gracious about meeting everyone’s individual needs.
The Café
And if this couldn’t get any better, the B&B also has an on-site café in the little structure next to the Victorian. While their clientele at the café is mostly workers from downtown who come in to have their daily lunch, the café definitely serves their house guests as well. Open since 2004, the café has been proud to host their regulars ever since then. A friendly place to come, just like Cheers, everybody knows your name here.
With a vast selection of food, they offer sandwiches, salads, quiche wraps, desserts, drinks and more. During the week, they rotate specials for the locals. And, to spice things up a bit so to speak, during October-March they also serve soup and chili.
The Location
Just a stone’s throw from the local bars, restaurants, shops, museuems and anything else you’d like to see in the historical district of town, they’re an ideal spot. By car, you’re only a 15 minute drive to the famous Pensacola Beach. Can’t beat that!
In short, there’s no real good reason not to stay at Pensacola Victorian B&B. They are welcoming, friendly, hospitable and no matter the time of year, they’re always warm. Just like any place in Florida should be, right?
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to stay at this charming B&B the next time you’re in the Sunshine State! Just make sure that when you book, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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