The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Panama City, Florida
Look beyond the theme parks in Orlando to discover the immaculate white-sand beaches, upmarket seafood restaurants, and lively nightlife in and around Panama City. This watersports wonderland on the Gulf of Mexico is popular with spring breakers, families, and divers, who adore the nearby artificial reefs for their kaleidoscopic marine life. Throw in dolphin watching, beautiful sunsets, and a luxury hotel in Panama City for the perfect vacation in the sun year-round.
1. The Pearl Hotel
Spa Hotel
Stay away from the crowds at this stylish boutique property in Rosemary Beach. There are just 55 understated rooms, each of which comes with an Apple TV, a fridge stocked with complimentary juices and water, a Keurig coffee machine, and an iPad for ordering anything you need. Many have balconies, and all include a nightly turndown with a freshly baked surprise. Elsewhere, there’s a spa steps from the private beach, complimentary sparkling wine at check-in, an adults-only pool, and free beach chairs.
2. Marriott’s Legends Edge at Bay Point
Chain Hotel, Hotel
The whole family will love this resort at Bay Point. It offers two-bedroom villas with fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and large soaking tubs. There’s a fitness center, an outdoor pool with a children’s splash pad, a playground, and a range of family-friendly activities, including crafts, a giant chessboard, and a cinema. The restaurants and nightlife at Pier Park are minutes away if you can bring yourself to leave.
3. The Calypso Resort and Towers
Resort, Hotel, Luxury
If you can’t bear to be too far from the beach, this property is steps from the sand, ensuring that you’ll be able to maximize time in the sun. Indeed, these one-bedroom apartments are a short stroll from Russell-Fields Pier and have sweeping sea views for instant relaxation. Each apartment also has a fully stocked kitchen with a dishwasher and a fridge, a DVD player, and a bright living room with a dining area so that you can really make yourself at home.
4. Aqua Resort
Resort, Hotel, Luxury
Fancy a getaway with a group at a luxury hotel in Panama City? This high-rise beachfront property has 22 stories of apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms, allowing you to spread out and give everyone their own space. Inside, there are 9ft (3m) ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the sea views, while extensive kitchens have premium GE appliances and granite countertops. Head downstairs to find water gardens, a poolside cafe, a whirlpool spa grotto, an aromatherapy steam room, a covered parking garage, and a pool area steps from the sand.
5. WaterSound Inn
Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Luxury
Treat yourself to an exclusive stay at the WaterSound Inn, a boutique hotel on the second and third floors of the GateHouse at WaterSound Beach. There are only 11 roomy suites in the property, each with a furnished balcony, two Samsung flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a fully equipped kitchen. You can also enjoy a beach club with a restaurant, an open-air bar and two huge pools, and the hotel can arrange bicycle and kayak rentals or catered beach bonfires.
6. Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort
Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury
This top-rated hotel, on the spectacular St Andrews Bay, has plenty of wow factor. It’s home to the only Nicklaus Design golf course in northwest Florida, a swish spa, a private beach, and an idyllic pool deck. Anyone looking to eat can choose the pool bar – with a dedicated doggie menu – a casual pub, an open-air seafood grill or a fine-dining restaurant with waterfront views.
7. Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach, an IHG Hotel
Chain Hotel, Resort
Children won’t want to leave this fun-packed resort right on the sand of Panama City Beach. The hotel has a kids’ water playground, a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall, seasonal entertainment, a ping-pong table, a poolside pizza parlor, rooms with bunk beds, and free kids’ activities. Parents will be even happier to discover children under 12 stay and eat for free, too. Also, it’s close to favorite attractions, including Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Gulf World Marine Park.
8. Splash Beach Resort by Vacasa
Resort, Hotel, Luxury
You won’t need a car when you stay at these gulf-front condos, as there’s everything you need right on-site. Condos have one, two, or three bedrooms, high-end appliances, granite countertops, and plenty of space. But the extra amenities really make this property stand out – think a beachfront arcade, two bi-level pools, a water theme park with slides and waterfalls, a lazy river, and even a cinema. Here, you can experience total relaxation without worrying about how you’ll get home afterward.
For all the luxuries, check out the best resorts in Panama City Beach, Florida, bookable with Culture Trip.
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