Hotel Margot reopens in downtown Pensacola as local investors expand their footprint

Hotel Margot has reopened at 200 N. Palafox Street, adding a 45-room boutique hotel, courtyard pool and on-site dining to downtown Pensacola. The project extends a broader investment strategy by local entrepreneurs Rafael Simpson and Graham Guirl, who are also behind several nearby properties and consumer brands.

Why it matters: - Hotel Margot’s reopening adds new lodging, dining and foot traffic to downtown Pensacola. - The project reinforces a broader effort by Rafael Simpson and Graham Guirl to invest in the city’s historic core. - The hotel is positioned as both a visitor draw and a local amenity, with a location near restaurants, shops, entertainment and nightlife.

What happened: - Hotel Margot reopened in downtown Pensacola at 200 N. Palafox Street. - The boutique hotel has 45 uniquely designed guest rooms. - The property includes a courtyard pool and on-site dining. - The hotel is led by local entrepreneurs Rafael Simpson and Graham Guirl. - A grand-opening ribbon cutting with the Greater Pensacola Chamber is scheduled for Oct. 28.

The details: - Hotel Margot is designed as a neighborhood-connected stay that reflects the character and energy of Pensacola. - Colette Café operates inside Hotel Margot and serves coffee, fresh sourdough, pastries and other food items to hotel guests and the public. - Simpson and Guirl also own the Artisan Building and 17 West Main, two downtown properties tied to their local investment portfolio. - Through their firm Dean Street, the partners also back Colette Café and Harry’s Proper Burger. - Harry’s Proper Burger is a Pensacola-born burger concept focused on a straightforward menu and quality. - Simpson and Guirl co-founded PRÉS, a high-protein coffee brand. - PRÉS is sold in Sprouts and Target stores, with more national retailers expected to come online in 2027. - More information is available at HotelMargot.com. - Dean Street is a private investment and operating firm with interests in real estate, hospitality and consumer businesses. More information is available at deanstreet.co.

Between the lines: - The reopening shows how the partners are linking hospitality, retail and food concepts into one downtown strategy. - The mix of properties and brands suggests a long-term bet on Pensacola’s historic center rather than a single standalone hotel play. - Their approach pairs commercial growth with preservation of the city’s older buildings and neighborhood identity.

What’s next: - The Oct. 28 ribbon cutting will mark the hotel’s formal public rollout. - The partners say they expect downtown Pensacola to keep evolving, creating room for new uses while preserving its historic character. - PRÉS is set to expand into additional national retailers in 2027.

The bottom line: - Hotel Margot is more than a reopening. It is another move in a broader local push to make downtown Pensacola more active, more walkable and more economically resilient.