OUR
STORY
Rooted in Legacy. Restored with Love.
What's In a Name?
At Celestine Bed and Breakfast, our name holds a special meaning. Our bed and breakfast in Pensacola is a tribute to Celestine Toliver Harrison. Born in Pensacola in 1908, Celestine was known for her warmth, hospitality, and unmatched cooking. She was the kind of woman who never met a stranger. She and her husband, Vandybilt, raised five children: Jean, Lois, James, Mary, and Horace, each of whom carried the family’s values forward in powerful ways. From service in the U.S. military to courageously desegregating Pensacola’s lunch counters and public schools, the Harrison family has helped shape local and national history.​​​
A Historic Home, Reimagined
Long before it became a bed and breakfast, the house was a landmark in its own right. Built in 1888 by James Simpson Reese, a wealthy banker from Alabama, the home stands proudly in Pensacola’s historic North Hill neighborhood, a charming, tree-lined district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, guests can walk just one block to vibrant Palafox Street, known as the “Gateway to Pensacola,” and enjoy easy access to restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and the waterfront, just minutes away.
The Celestine Experience
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The home's newest chapter began when two of Celestine’s great-grandchildren purchased it in 2020 and undertook a loving transformation into a boutique bed and breakfast. Their intention was clear: Honor their family heritage and carry forth a legacy rooted in love, kindness, perseverance, faith, and care. In their renovations, they sought to preserve the soul of the home while creating a modern-day sanctuary that radiates warmth, beauty, and depth. Guests will find that every detail has a story and invites connection:
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Each guest room is named after one of Celestine and Vandybilt’s children and styled to reflect their style and spirit.
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Antique heirlooms from Celestine’s own collection are thoughtfully placed throughout.
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A custom Toile de Jouy–inspired wallpaper, curated by Celestine's great-granddaughter, lines the staircase as a warm welcome that wraps guests in story from the moment they arrive.
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Guests enjoy breakfast at Celestine's table with China gifted from her daughter, Lois.
"One of the defining features inside the B&B (as well as everyone's favorite) is the custom wallpaper along the stairwell, which was carefully curated by Cornelia over the course of nearly a year and a half. Serving as a storytelling aid to transport guests back into another time, each of the intricate black and white images depict personal milestones and old Pensacola landmarks that anyone who has lived in the area long enough is sure to remember." - Pensacola Magazine
A Place Where You Belong
Celestine Bed and Breakfast is more than just a beautiful place to stay. It’s a living love letter to family, history, and hospitality. We charge every guest to reflect on their own journey and consider how they carry their legacy forward.
The Story Continues With You
Whether you’re visiting Pensacola for the first time or returning to the place you've grown to love, we're honored to welcome you home to Celestine and invite you to become part of our story.
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