Portofino Resort Launches Winter Stay Program at Pensacola Beach Florida

PORTOFINO ISLAND RESORT & SPA ANNOUNCES

EXTENDED STAY PROGRAM, DEDICATED STAFF AND RATES

Pensacola, Fla. – (November 24, 2008) Are you a northern traveler seeking soothing warmer climes? Are you temporarily employed in the Northwest Florida area? Have you relocated to the Gulf Coast and need time to find the perfect forever home? Or have you always just wanted to live the beach lifestyle? In any case, join us at Portofino Island Resort & Spa in Pensacola Beach on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast for an extended stay (30 days or more) and live the good life in your home away from home.

Portofino Island Resort & Spa is proud to launch an extended stay program and welcome long-stay visitors. Sabine Laguna is Portofino's on-site Extended Stay manager, and with more than 15 years experience in resort condominium management, she is at the ready to make the logistics of every extended stay seamless and the experience memorable. In addition to on-site staff, personalized service and customized activities, Portofino's program also includes competitive accommodation rates.

Two-bedroom sky home suites are available from $1,980 per month; three bedroom sky home suites are from $2,250 per month. That is just $66 per night for deluxe accommodations with water views that measure from 1,300 to 2,000 square feet. All extended rates are valid through April 1, 2009. Monthly rate applies to multiple month stays, does not include tax or resort fees. Extended stays are based on availability and restrictions may apply.

Portofino Island Resort & Spa is situated on 28 beautiful acres in Pensacola Beach between the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the gentle shores of Santa Rosa Bay. It is also adjacent to the pristine Gulf Islands National Seashore state park. Its supreme location makes it the ultimate Gulf Coast getaway and Pensacola's premier resort destination. Featuring more than 300 two- and three-bedroom luxury accommodations, the upscale, full-service resort offers premium amenities, Southern hospitality and a superb gulf and bay front location. Each and every sky home accommodation features every modern convenience of a tower residence and stunning water views.

Extended stay guests of Portofino enjoy a host of complimentary amenities each day of their stay:

· Signature Portofino spa towels in your guest suite upon your arrival,

· Beach chair set up for two each day,

· Tennis court time on any of five Hydro-grid clay courts, and

· Unlimited DVD movie rentals.

· Bicycle rental ( two hours daily)

Portofino extended stay guests also enjoy exclusive access to the 40,000 square-foot Portofino Lifestyle center where you will find a host of world-class resort amenities such as: a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring personalized training and group fitness classes; an Olympic-sized indoor lap pool and seven additional outdoor heated swimming pools and six hot tubs; Portofino Adventure beach to bay water sport activities; Spa Portofino featuring massage therapy, facials, body treatments, and manicure and pedicure nail treatments; and bayside al fresco lunch fare in the Terracotta Grill (Wed.-Sunday) and indoor dining (serving dinner and Happy Hour specials Wed.-Sat.) overlooking the pool at Terracotta restaurant.

We will arrange both local golf tee times and deep sea fishing excursions for extended stay guests as well for a nominal fee.

Though there is plenty to do at Portofino Island Resort & Spa, when you are ready to explore small town America, we are just minutes from historic Pensacola. Home to everything from eclectic art galleries, theaters and charming eateries to Blue Angels demonstrations and historical landmarks, Pensacola is a unique cultural hub, not to mention a delightful backdrop for special events throughout the year. Here are a few of the interesting small-town events you can enjoy this season:

Polar Bear Plunge. Jan. 1. The emerald waters of Santa Rosa Sound are filled with those hardy souls who wade, swim and scurry to the finish line. Heaping bowls of black-eyed peas wait to warm participants. Entry fee benefits the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. 2 p.m. at Paradise Bar & Grill. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com.

Pensacola Beach Run. Jan. 5. Presented by Pensacola Runners Association and hosted by the Hilton Pensacola Gulf Front. The race starts at 8 a.m. and proceeds along the waterfront on beautiful Pensacola Beach. The run includes a 5K, 10K and half-marathon course. The first 800 registered people are guaranteed a microfiber wind shirt. The post race party is in Flounder’s Chowder House. www.pensacolarunners.com.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. Jan. 19. Head to Downtown Pensacola to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. during a community parade, complete with throws. (850) 469-1299, www.africanamericanheritagesociety.org.

Mardi Gras. Feb. 20-24. One of the country’s original celebration sites, Pensacola hosts family-oriented Mardi Gras fun at parades on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where crowds catch beads and moon pies tossed from floats, as well as various contests and culinary festivals. Special events are also held on Fat Tuesday. www.pensacolamardigras.com.

Pensacola Double Bridge Run. Feb. 7. A 15K course takes runners over two bridges crossing Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, from Downtown Pensacola to Pensacola Beach. A 5K course welcomes runners and walkers, and a Kids Fun Run wraps up the action along the Gulf of Mexico. Race starts at 8 a.m. (850) 434-2800, www.pensacolasports.com.

Pensacola Marathon. Feb. 15. The race will begin at 6:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park near the corner of 9th Ave. and Bayfront Pkwy. The 26.2-mile scenic USATF-certified course is one of the last Boston Marathon qualifiers in the Southeast. The course begins and ends in Historic Downtown Pensacola and winds along Pensacola Bay and through neighborhoods crowned with oaks. (850) 435-9222, www.pensacolamarathon.com.

Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair. March 7-8. Step back to the days of old with jousting exhibitions, falconry, medieval musicians, jesters, jugglers, fire breathers, belly dancers and bagpipers. Renaissance food and beverages abound, so eat, drink and be merry! (877) 429-8426, www.gcrf.net.

Gallery Night. March 20. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this exciting event offered several times a year, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Courtesy trolley stops along the way. Free admission. (850) 432-9906, www.artsnwfl.org.

McGuire’s Irish Pub St. Patty’s Day 5K Prediction Run. March 8. This is not only Pensacola’s largest run with more than 8,000 participants; it is the nation’s largest prediction run. Awards go to the fastest as well as the most accurate in predicting the time it will take them to walk or run the 3.1-mile course. A post-race party features music by Rich McDuff, beer, Irish wakes, Irish coffee, soft drinks, water and Irish fare. Race begins at 9 a.m., (registration 6-8 a.m.). (850) 433-6789, www.mcguiresrunners.com.

All events are subject to change without notice. For more information about year-round events in Pensacola, visit the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau online at www.visitpensacola.com.

Guided tours are offered to those considering an extended stay at Portofino Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the entrance to the resort. For more information on tours, contact Sabine Laguna at sabinel@portofinoisland.com.

To reserve your extended stay at Portofino, call our reservations team at 888/707-0945. For more information on Portofino Island Resort & Spa, visit www.portofinoisland.com/pr.html.

Portofino Island Resort & Spa, situated on 28 beautiful acres in Pensacola Beach between the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Bay, is the ultimate in luxurious Gulf Coast getaways. Featuring more than 300 upscale accommodations, this full-service resort offers the perfect combination of premium amenities and a pristine island environment. The island haven provides guests an array of amenities including Island Adventures, Spa at Portofino, the Portofino Fitness Center, a 40,000-square-foot Lifestyle Center, tennis courts, waterfront dining, children’s programs, eight pools including a heated indoor Olympic-size pool and more.