17 SOUTHERNLADYMAGAZINE.COM
SOUTHERN SPOTLIGHT
SEASIDE SANCTUARY
I
n the cooling air of October, relish a
refined escape along the Gulf where you
can enjoy breathtaking rooftop views
while sipping a beverage in the atmosphere
of one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite Cuban
hangouts. As you take in the blue-green
backdrop of the private beach draped in
sparkling white sand below, you’ll feel worlds
away from any worries at The Pearl Hotel.
“Inspired by and named after a pearl
concealed within an oyster, The Pearl Hotel
was built to be the ultimate hidden gem,
where visitors from all regions and walks of
life can gather for their ideal coastal
vacation,” says David Merryman, manager of
the scenic resort on the eastern end of
Highway 30A in Rosemary Beach, Florida.
The Pearl is sure to catch your eye as the
sun soaks its signature black-and-white
striped awnings, the same timeless motif
that graces oversize umbrellas that shade
guests lounging on the shoreline beyond.
With vintage European architecture marked
by striking turrets and abundant terraces—a
sophisticated departure from typical beach
resort style—the hotel’s aesthetic reflectsthe unique vision upon which its West Indies-
influenced community was built.
Classic shapes and silhouettes paired
with a palette of natural tones yield
architectural harmony and simple splendor.
“The Pearl is woven into the fabric of the
community,” David says. “The property’s
design represents not only the energy of 30A,
but also other famed Southern coastal towns,
including Charleston and New Orleans, as
well as Havana.”
Beyond its design, the hotel touts other
notable features that span 55 rooms, aIn the heart of a distinctively designed community on Florida’s picturesque Emerald Coast, The Pearl Hotel exudes
Old-World elegance and exceptional Southern hospitality. BY Elizabeth Bonner Czapski | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF St. Joe Club & Resorts