Panama City Hotels and Accommodation

(Panama City, Florida - FL, USA)

Panama City Beach is a major tourist destination in Florida and visitors often outnumber local residents here, so it is hardly surprising that there is a wealth of hotels and similar accommodation awaiting. The high season in Panama City falls during the summer months, from March through October, when lodging rates noticeably rise, although fine weather and mild winters ensure that hotels enjoy healthy occupancy levels throughout the year.

Hotel rates around Panama City Beach tend to be higher than other parts of the Panhandle area, and inland accommodation generally provides better value, being just a short drive from the beachfront. During the winter months, hotels reduce their rates by up to 60 percent, providing excellent value for money at this quieter time of the year.

Where to Stay

The beachfront is lined with hotels and motels, including many major chains and well-known brands, such as Best Western, Days Inn and Ramada. In general, accommodation situated at the east end of Panama City Beach is slightly more expensive and upmarket than the hotels within the center. Lodging at the western end of the beach is more oriented toward families and is generally quieter. Of note, most beach hotels are never far from water sports, golf courses, amusement parks and bars, meaning that there is plenty to keep you occupied, regardless of age.

Further hotels in the Panama City area can be found around the downtown district, being close to businesses, shopping centers and restaurants. Also worth considering is accommodation within the Lynn Haven area, an affluent district located on the northerly side of the city center, as well as the neighboring seaside resorts of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laguna Beach and Miramar Beach.

Budget hotels in Panama City are concentrated along East 23rd Street, Front Beach Road, Harrison Avenue, the North Tyndall Parkway, West 10th Street and the West Beach Drive. These budget choices include the Best Western Suites, the Comfort Inn, the Econo Lodge, the Howard Johnson Bayside, the Super 8 Motel and the Travelodge.

Camping sites are an increasingly popular alternative to more mainstream accommodation in Panama City and cater mainly for RVs (recreational vehicles). Popular camping sites include the central Miracle Strip RV Resort on Front Beach Road, the Raccoon River on the Hutchinson Boulevard, and the St. Andrews State Recreational Area on State Park Lane, where tent pitches and RV sites stand next to the scenic Grand Lagoon.

Mid-range chain hotels are plentiful in Panama City and can be found around Front Beach Road and South Thomas Drive. Popular mid-range accommodation options include the Best Western Casa Loma Inn, the Howard Johnson Hotel Boardwalk, the Ramada Limited Panama City Beach and the Super 8. Particularly affordable is the cluster of hotels at the junction of the Highway US-231 and East 23rd Street, where the Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and La Quinta Inn all stand side by side.

Luxury hotels are often located along Panama City Beach and offer breathtaking views of the coastline and Gulf of Mexico. The most luxurious accommodation tends to stand on the Marriott Drive and Front Beach Road, where the Long Beach Resort comes with oversized balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and uninterrupted coastal panoramas.