With all the buzz it’s been generating lately, Bay St. Louis was due for a chic new hotspot where visitors could dine, relax and book an intimate stay.
The Pearl Hotel, located downtown at the corner of Main Street and Beach Boulevard, fits the bill perfectly. Open as of Dec. 30, 2020, the elegant property offers 53 rooms and six suites within easy distance of the area’s best attractions.
General Manager Sarah Cure Clark says the hotel was several years in development by the Cure Land Company. Its name was inspired by Bayou Caddy Fisheries in Lakeshore, Mississippi – her family’s three-generation oyster business founded in 1959.
With the Pearl opening during a pandemic and in the aftermath of Hurricane Zeta, Clark says the launch required an all-hands-on-deck approach from staff.
“Our biggest rewards came when we opened the doors,” she says. “We have been full steam ahead ever since and have been very fortunate to see lots of repeat business already, a busy ‘offseason’ and few signs of slowing — all a great tribute to the beautiful property that is Pearl Hotel and the hard work our team has put in day in and day out to run and maintain it.”
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PEARL HOTEL? TAKE A STEP INSIDE:
LOCATION:
104 North Beach Blvd., in the heart of Bay St. Louis’s quaint downtown. Clark says guests are encouraged to explore the area. They can walk the harbor, dine at local restaurants and bars, admire work in the downtown art galleries, spend time in the community garden and peruse the antique stores for one-of-a-kind shopping, among other activities.
AMENITIES:
A lush courtyard and pool, complete with private cabanas, as well as a 600-square-foot event space dubbed the Captain’s Quarters. The hotel also offers two dining options, Thorny Oyster and Smoke, headed by acclaimed owners and chefs Jeffrey and Amy Hansell. A luxe cocktail bar, Hinge, offers signature craft cocktails and a variety of wines, spirits and select beer.
AESTHETICS:
Pearl hotel has a sleek, elegant and minimalistic design, according to Clark. Curated art throughout pays homage to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the oyster industry. “Classic realist” painter Billy Solitario was commissioned to create a statement piece for the lobby, depicting two oyster vessels working a reef, and prints of his work appear in the hotel’s suites. Photography by Rick Dobbs, who is also responsible for the hotel’s branding, is displayed in the lobby as well.
With its unique character and impeccable hospitality, Clark says, the Pearl Hotel is sure to leave guests revived, inspired and dreaming of their next beachside escape.