Lily Hall, a refreshed community gathering place and boutique lodging house, opens in Pensacola, FL, on February 16. Breathing new life into the structure that once housed the historic Old Mount Olive Baptist Church, Lily Hall offers a coastal repose. The property is independently owned and operated by Nashville-based Stahlman Hospitality Group; it has 15 rooms, an event venue, a signature restaurant and speakeasy bar.
Travelers can expect historical touch points around every corner, a testimony to its 1928 origins as a church as well as a longstanding position on Pensacola’s “Seven to Save” list of endangered buildings. Local art and swinging chairs adorn the interiors; indoor and outdoor gathering spaces include a parlor and a garden terrace ideal for weddings and special events. Eighteen letters created by Nashville-based novelist Adam Hill are showcased throughout the property for guests to find and engage with. The letters share apocryphal tales of famous literary and historical figures interacting at Lily Hall, such as Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), who invitingly says: “I have two wicker chairs on the veranda, a table and a typewriter, and keys to the hotel bar. Room 12 is waiting for you…”
Guestrooms are equipped with smart technology, nostalgic décor and such amenities as record players with curated albums, an exclusive fragrance by The Golden Slipper, specialty tea and coffee, access to bike rentals and a 24/7 virtual concierge.
Lily Hall’s F&B concepts include signature restaurant Brother Fox and its attached speakeasy Sister Hen, conceptualized by Southern restaurateur Terry Raley. Named as an ode to the pastor of the former church, Brother Fox serves lunch and dinner with Spanish-inspired fare, a nod to the original settlers of Pensacola. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, and the restaurant offers a regionally sourced menu.
Sister Hen is a sanctuary with a hidden entrance. Intimate candlelight sets the stage for just two dozen people to enjoy cocktails. Inspired by the finer hospitality of the 1920s to 1940s, the prohibition-style bar cloaked in dark walnut tones is kept sacred via a dress code and “house rules.” Just take it from Jesse James who writes in one of Lily Hall’s featured fictional letters: “There is a bar called Sister Hen that puts a smile on my face. I can see you singing by the piano every night. Paradise is best to be shared. I’m sure I’ll make friends and find myself in good company.”
For more information, visit lilyhall.com.
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