7 great places to stay in Panama City Beach

1. Calypso Beach Resort

Credit: Panhandle Getaways | Visit Panama City Beach

The soaring Calypso Beach Resort towers are painted in the same white shades as the sunsets that you’ll enjoy from their balconies each evening.

On the sugar sand beach near Pier Park and City Pier, they place you in the heart of the Panama City Beach action, with beach life, restaurants, bars, shops and the SkyWheel on your doorstep.

The towers’ one-, two- and three-bedroom condos sleep up to nine, making them an ideal spot for families or groups of friends who can all enjoy relaxing together on its private stretch of sand, in its seafront pools, or over drinks in its tiki bar and grill.

And, you’ll be able to spend plenty of time relaxing in the condo itself as each one has a fully-equipped kitchen, large living area and a balcony to take in the views.

2. SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront

Credit: SpringHill Suites | Visit Panama City Beach

Modern SpringHill Suites makes a good first impression with its fourth-floor lobby and restaurant, where huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the beach and make it a prime spot to watch the sunset.

Its 200 rooms are equally slick, with family rooms offering bunk beds for little ones, and even the smallest king suite feeling spacious and sleeping up to four.

Start the day here with a complimentary breakfast, which is offered to all guests, then work your way around what’s on offer – think bobbing around a lazy river, sipping cocktails in a cabana while listening to a DJ, splashing in the pool or sea, lounging on the beach and working up a sweat in the gym.

There’s plenty of entertainment a walk away too, from crazy golf and the Shipwreck Water Park to beachside shops and bars.

3. Margaritaville Beach Cottages Resort

Credit: Margaitavilla | Visit Panama City Beach

The picture-perfect Margaritaville Beach Cottages Resort is one of the best-looking places to stay in Panama City Beach, with its pastel coloured beachfront villas, waterside retreats, resort cottages and surf bungalows.

The Margaritaville brand was originally set up by singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett (who is known for his song ‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’) and here, the pretty properties come in a variety of layouts and styles set out along neat palm-tree lined streets.

Its smallest surf bungalow properties sleep up to six with a master bedroom, bunk beds in the loft and a sofa bed, while its largest beach villas sleep up to 18 guests and include a private pool and direct beach access.

There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained within the resort too, including the beach, a lazy river, sunflower yellow and blue waterslides, pool and poolside Salty Rim Grill and Bar. And its location on Front Beach Road places it close to many of the town’s restaurants, bars and attractions.

4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort

Credit: Hilton | Visit Panama City Beach

This modern all-suites hotel is located in a happening part of town, right next door to Pier Park and a five-minute walk from City Pier.

And 175 of its 255 spacious rooms enjoy gulf views, whether you’re after a one-bed king sleeping up to four or two queen bed suites sleeping up to six. All rooms have microwaves, coffee makers and fridges, making eating some meals in an option. And, as a bonus, its buffet breakfast with a popular omelette station is included in room rates.

To relax, there’s regular entertainment around its outdoor pool, from a DJ to kids’ games, and a good-sized gym. You can even get to know fellow guests each evening during its complimentary happy hour from 5pm until 6.30pm before heading out to a local restaurant for dinner.

5. Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach

Credit: Holiday Inn Resort | Visit Panama City Beach

All 340 rooms in this 15-floor curved hotel have a view of the pristine white-sand beach it’s set on, where you’ll probably spend most of your time.

But there’s lots going on in the resort to keep guests young and old entertained too, from live shows such as dance displays, beach bonfires for toasting s’mores, a kids’ water playground, large lagoon-style pool, hot tub and lazy river, and a spa with a sauna and steam room. There’s a range of places to eat too, from a casual poolside grill and beachfront seafood restaurant to a pizza parlour and ice cream and sweet shop.

The majority of standard rooms have two queen beds but there are layouts to suit all groups, including rooms with bunk beds sleeping up to six and one-bedroom suites on the top floor.

If you manage to drag yourself away from it all, the hotel’s location east of County Pier places you near family-friendly attractions such as Ripley's Believe It or Not. It’s also just a 15-minute drive away from St Andrews State Park.

6. Hyatt Place Panama City Beach Beachfront

Credit: Hyatt Place | Visit Panama City Beach

Set on Panama City Beach’s soft white shore and a short walk from Pier Park and City Pier, Hyatt Place Panama City Beach Beachfront is a place to unwind and have fun.

After your complimentary buffet breakfast, you can pass your days flitting between its pool and lazy river, and the beach next to it, before sipping on cocktails while gazing out over the aquamarine water. There’s daily entertainment, as well as fitness classes and outdoor games including cornhole and giant Connect Four.

Its modern rooms are calming spaces, where feature walls have abstract waves on them and sofa beds and fridges are standard, making life easier for families.

7. Beach homes

For the ultimate flexibility to holiday your way, consider renting your own private self-catering property in Panama City Beach.

The dream option is to have your own beach house set next to the white sand with outdoor space, a kitchen and living areas to hang out in. There’s plenty of choice, whether you want a villa big enough for your extended family or a house to socialise in with friends.

To narrow down your options, think about your essentials then look up what’s available to match. Do you want to be a walk from a certain attraction or restaurant? Would you like a pool? Is having a balcony looking out over the gulf a must? Would you like to be in a big complex to socialise or have more privacy?

Once you’ve booked your perfect pad, get ready to relax and dig your toes into the sand.