Hotels in Panama City Beach

There are plenty of places to stay along the beach in PCB, ranging from locally owned operations to big, family-friendly resorts. The hotels closest to the sand are lined up on the aptly named Front Beach Road. Visit Panama City Beach's official tourism website for a list of oceanfront properties.

In 2022, the 11-floor, 224-room Hyatt Place Panama City Beach opened along Front Beach Road, a short distance from tons of bars and seafood restaurants as well as the Pier Park retail and entertainment complex. But the best thing about the hotel's location is its proximity to the ocean, as you'll realize instantly upon entering the lobby (pictured above), where a huge wall of windows shows off a truly dazzling view of sand, sea, and sky. The vista is all the more astonishing after entering from Front Beach Road because the thoroughfare's hotels and condo towers mostly block your view of the water, giving no indication of the astonishing natural beauty just yards away.

Though not anywhere near as showstopping, the rooms at the Hyatt Place feel spacious and new, decorated with the standard beach-hotel palette of white, blue, green, and gray, and outfitted with amenities such as mini fridges, big desks, and separate living and sleeping areas. Some rooms have bunk beds; others have Gulf views with balconies. Downstairs, the hotel has a breezy onsite bar and restaurant as well as a large pool leading to a wide stretch of beach.

Aside from hotels, condo rentals are big in Panama City Beach, particularly with groups who are looking for plenty of space at good prices without having to lose perks such as pools and beach access. You can browse online listings for owner-managed condos or properties run by rental management companies. Benefits of going with the latter may include housekeeping and better insurance.

Then, of course, there are the many short-term vacation rentals listed at online platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

For camping, you can't beat St. Andrews State Park, set on 1,200 pristine acres of beaches, dunes, pines, and scrubby coastal plants sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Campsites are equipped with water, electricity, and sewer hookups; hiking trails, beaches, and a boat launch are a short distance away.

Make camping reservations in advance at the Florida State Parks booking website.

The park also has a handful of "eco-tents" for a more elevated "glamping" experience. Each tent has electricity, air conditioning, and a queen bed, among other creature comforts. For more information, to check availability, or to make a reservation, go to StAndrewsShellIsland.com.