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I was on a cross-country road trip from Tampa, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada and made a special pit stop in Pensacola to show my boyfriend around what I consider my second hometown. Initially, I wanted to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown since I had really enjoyed my previous stay there the last time I visited Pensacola.

However, to my surprise, the prices were ridiculously high for some reason and way over my budget this time around. So, I decided to explore other hotel options in the Pensacola area that were also dog-friendly, as I had my dog, Kuma, with me.

After some research, I came across the Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola I-10 North at University Town Plaza, which had consistently great reviews, so I happily decided to book my stay here instead.

LOCATION

Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola I-10 North at University Town Plaza is conveniently located right off of North Davis Highway, which is an excellent street to be near due to the abundance of eateries, shops, and local conveniences close by.

The hotel’s proximity to Interstate 10 is another major plus, as it allowed me to quickly and easily hop onto the interstate right after checking out, making it a super convenient stop on my road trip itinerary.

Hampton Inn Pensacola Florida front entrance — **Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola I-10 North at University Town Plaza**

Within walking distance from the hotel is University Town Plaza, an outdoor shopping mall that features stores like J.C. Penney, Burlington, BJ's Wholesale Club, and several other retail options. Nearby dining options include a BBQ restaurant and 850 Fusion and Bar, where we chose to enjoy dinner. The food and drinks at 850 Fusion were delightful, and since we arrived quite hungry, the generous portion sizes were especially satisfying.

Enchiladas and cilantro rice at 850 Fusion and Bar — Enchiladas at 850 Fusion and bar

Colorful cocktails at 850 Fusion and Bar

If you are planning to stay near the University of West Florida, this hotel is a fantastic choice as it’s located just about a 10-minute drive from the campus. In the opposite direction, it's also only a 10-minute drive to Pensacola State College, making this location ideal for visitors to either institution or anyone looking for a comfortable, convenient base while exploring Pensacola.

AMENITIES

This hotel offers a wide range of convenient amenities, and we took full advantage of many of them, which really came in handy during our stay. To start with, parking is free, and there are plenty of parking spots available, making it easy to find a space no matter when you arrive.

Breakfast is also complimentary and served from 6 to 10 AM. They provide a nice variety of breakfast options including pastries, yogurt, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, cereals, and my personal favorite—the waffle station. The waffle station featured a delicious cinnamon-flavored waffle that was absolutely to die for and definitely a highlight of our mornings.

Complimentary breakfast with waffle station

Complimentary breakfast with pastries and breads

Cheese omelets and bacon served at complimentary breakfast

Inside the hotel, there is a laundry facility that charges $2 for using the washer and $2 for the dryer. Since the machines operate with coins, be sure to have some cash on hand if you plan to do laundry; the front desk is helpful and will gladly exchange your bills for quarters. Keep in mind there is only one washer and one dryer in the laundry room, so if the hotel is busy, you might have to wait your turn.

The gym pleasantly surprised us with its spacious layout, equipped with fitness machines, a sanitizing station, and hand towels provided for guests’ convenience. My boyfriend enjoyed getting his workout done early and when he arrived at 6 AM right when it opened, he had the entire gym to himself.

Additionally, there is an outdoor pool located at the rear of the hotel. While we saw lots of kids having a fantastic time splashing around in the pool, we didn’t swim ourselves. I did notice that the pool area felt a bit plain and could have benefited from some extra decoration or perhaps some shaded seating areas to make it more inviting and comfortable for guests lounging poolside.

PET-FRIENDLINESS

The hotel provides a designated pet-relief area complete with a dog waste station located at the back of the property. Additionally, there is plenty of lush grass right in front of the hotel, making it easy for Kuma to relieve herself immediately.

Lots of grass in front of the hotel for dogs — Lots of grass in front of the hotel for Kuma

When we checked in, the receptionist warmly greeted Kuma and even gave her a special dog treat right away, which was such a sweet touch. I also received an adorable door tag to hang on the door handle whenever we stepped out, featuring the playful message: “Beware of Adorable, Furry Friends Inside.”

The pet fee is $75 for stays ranging from 1 to 4 nights and $125 for longer stays of 5 or more nights. The hotel allows up to two pets per room, and both dogs and cats are welcome.

Corgi resting comfortably on the hotel bed — Kuma resting comfortably on the bed

THE ROOM

I booked the King Bed room, which was incredibly spacious and thoughtfully designed with multiple distinct areas, including a wet bar, lounge area, bed area, and a bathroom. I absolutely love having a wet bar in a hotel room because it provides so much extra space to organize Kuma’s things. I usually dedicate this space exclusively for all of her essentials, like storing her food and cleaning her bowls after she finishes eating.

Hampton Inn Pensacola spacious King Room

At the wet bar station, there was also a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a coffee machine, making it really convenient to prepare meals and drinks. I also appreciated that they thoughtfully provided paper towels, which always comes in handy. The fridge was perfect for storing all of Kuma’s homemade food that I brought along for her. Although there was no freezer, the fridge maintained a consistently cold temperature.

Right next to the wet bar was a lounge area featuring a full-length mirror, a coat rack, and a sleeper sofa. I really enjoy when a hotel room includes a coat rack because it offers additional space to hang coats and bags, helping keep the room neat while making it easy to locate your belongings. The sleeper sofa was also a great bonus, providing extra seating and a convenient option for an additional guest staying overnight.

Across from the sofa was a working desk, a large TV mounted on the wall, and a designated space for a luggage rack. On the desk, there were a couple of outlets and a lamp with an integrated outlet.

Towards the back of the room, I found the comfy king size bed, which was the perfect spot to relax after a long day. There was a side table on each side of the bed, both equipped with outlets and USB ports.

Side table by bed with outlets and ports — Each side of the bed had its own set of outlets and USB ports

Finally, next to the bed was a combined area with the sink, closet, and bathroom. The closet was surprisingly spacious and had plenty of room for clothes and luggage. Inside, I found several hangers, a luggage rack, an iron, an ironing board, and an extra blanket for added comfort.

The bathroom sink was located outside of the bathroom itself, right next to the closet. It featured a large mirror and ample counter space. Underneath the sink, there was a nice hair dryer for convenience.

The bathroom itself was fairly basic, but well-appointed with a toilet, tub, and shower. The body soap, shampoo, and conditioner were supplied in dispensers inside the shower. The shower pressure and temperature were excellent.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I truly enjoyed my stay at this hotel. It was situated in a fantastic location, the breakfast was delicious, and the amenities provided were thoughtful and convenient, enhancing the overall experience.