Framed by a peaked clock tower, pointed turrets, sun-splashed terraces and black-and-white striped awnings, The Pearl Hotel has long been a picturesque icon of the West Indies-inspired coastal community of Rosemary Beach® in South Walton.
Within its walls, the boutique hotel envelops guests in a thoughtfully curated experience, inspired by the warmth and elegance of Old Town Havana, an evocative, richly historic destination, where architecture, culture and everyday life coexisted colorfully.
This Old World charm and laidback sophistication permeates The Pearl’s common areas and guest rooms, with eclectic furniture and décor, including potted palms and framed photos of Havana captured by local artist Tommy Crow, as well as Latin-inspired ambiance music and in-room mini fridges stocked with authentic Cuban sodas from Miami’s Cawy Bottling Company.
Even the hotel’s signature scent – aptly called “Pearl Bliss” – will transport you! All of The Pearl’s bath amenities were created in partnership with Pish Posh Patchouli’s, a local Rosemary Beach merchant specializing in hand-crafted body and skin care, drawing from the richly exotic scents of spiced tonka bean, tobacco bay leaf and vetiver.
At check-in, guests of The Pearl receive a branded coin, reminiscent of a Cuban peso, which can be redeemed for a complimentary signature cocktail at the hotel’s award-winning Havana Beach Bar & Grill during the nightly guest welcome reception – much like residents of Old Town Havana used their pesos at the acclaimed El Floridita in the ‘40s and ‘50s, an era that deeply influenced the writings of American-born Ernest Hemingway.
It’s Hemingway’s beloved haunt that inspired the flavors and flair of The Pearl’s award-winning restaurant, which celebrates the joy of living, eating and drinking well. In fact, Havana Beach Bar & Grill’s stunning hand-carved mahogany bar was modeled after the one at El Floridita. Much like Papa Hemingway himself, Havana Beach Bar & Grill believes that dining should delight all of the senses, with a menu that’s equal parts Gulf Coast and Caribbean, with French-inspired techniques.
Havana Beach’s menu standouts include Ropa Vieja Hash, El Supremo Cubano, and Grouper de Santiago, to name just a few favorite delicacies. And of course, a jaunt to Old Town Havana wouldn’t be complete without a rum-based cocktail. Enjoy a Hemingway Daiquiri, a Nuevo Cubano or a tropical Cocomango in the main dining room, at the bar or at the Havana Beach Rooftop.
Join Havana Beach Bar & Grill for specially themed events (such as Hemingway Day and Havana Nights), taking place throughout the year, for more opportunities to experience the allure of Old Town Havana.
Whether visiting for a weekend or dining in for a night, consider each visit to The Pearl hotel a journey, each bite a story to savor and share.
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To learn more about The Pearl Hotel, book your stay and enjoy the latest seasonal specials, visit thepearlrb.com, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram for a daily dose of #thepearlrb inspiration.
Details included in this story were accurate at time of publication but are subject to change based on seasonal schedules, amenity and/or operational updates. For the most current information, please visit the respective property’s website.
