I am planning a visit to the Panhandle in May and would like to spend a couple of days at Pensacola Beach.

This area was hit pretty hard during huricane season last year. How is the recovery progressing? Is most of the storm damage expected to be cleaned up by May, or should I just forget about it this year and go to Panama City instead?

While we are on the subject, can anyone recommend a good beachfront hotel?

There is only one hotel open right now on P. Beach and that is Hilton Garden Inn. Is most of the storm damage expected to be cleaned up by May? That depends on what year you're talking about! Seriously, the place looks awful (I live here). I haven't heard of any expected opening dates for the other hotels. A few of the high rise condo complexes are open now or will be soon.

I live nearby and the recovery is slow going. One thing to keep in mind is to wear shoes on the beach if you go...lots of debris in sand. Not safe to walk barefooted.

Dave: I read the other day that most of the hotels on the beach do not expect to be repaired by May. I live in Pensacola and have boated over to Ft Pickens National Park - the beach has been flattened there but the scene is wildly beautiful. Yes, be sure to wear shoes.

But some hotels might make it in time for Spring Break. I like The Dunes myself (now ironically named) but any of them will do; who's staying inside? The water is still gorgeous and many businesses have reopened. You would definitely have a good time and by May a lot will be happening again.

Another option is to rent a condo - a very cool way to go and if you have enough people it can be cheaper. You also get more privacy. Google Pensacola condo rentals to get started.

I hope P'beach is ready for you - it would be a shame to waste your trip on Panama :->

Dave,

Normally I live on Pensacola Beach, and hope to be back in my house by summer, but that's iffy. The recovery, as the others have said, is going slowly. Far more damage than we have skilled labor to repair quickly.

The hotels, condos, and restaurants are all trying hard to get back in business as soon as possible. Tourism is a huge income source for this area and most of the tourists go to/stay at the beach. Most of the restaurants in the core area (if you're familiar with Pensacola Beach) have re-opened. Outside the core, little is open. I'd be amazed if either the Dunes or the Holiday Inn are open by May. Some of the larger condos are, or probably will be. Many of the older, lowrise condos will have to be torn down.

Bottom line. Check with the local tourism office. They have the latest info on who's open and the expected opening dates for other businesses.

And a lot depends on the atmosphere you're looking for. Even when P'cola Beach was up and running full force it was quite different from Panama City.

FF

I was unprepared for how hard hit the area really was. We drove past there on I-10E going to Jax in December. You could see many blue roofs waiting to be repaired. My son works for BellSouth & has been working there since Dec 27. He normally works in Jax & hopes to be home next weekend. They are working 12 hr days & 6 days a week.
I know they will need the tourist money but I doubt there will be much of it this year. A friend is a tour guide & took a group to the Gulf Coast about a week ago. She said it broke her heart to see the damage still to be repaired.They did go to the air museum there but said many things are not open.