8 Best Panama City Beach Resorts in Florida – 2025 Update
We analyzed all the options and found the best Panama City beach resorts based on real traveler reviews, ease of beachfront access, and what each place actually delivers in terms of experience, amenities, and overall vibe.
We also made sure to find options for every price point so that you can choose the perfect beach resort in Panama City for your budget.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To figure out which properties truly deserve to be called the best Panama City beach resorts, we took a deep look at the data. That included scouring thousands of traveler ratings and photos from Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia and developing our own scoring system that incorporated the average of all of them.
We focused on beachfront quality, pool areas, available room types, food quality, on-site entertainment, and overall guest satisfaction. Each resort had to offer direct or extremely close access to the ocean, among other key features.
We also double-checked to make sure that every option on this list of Panama City Florida resorts on the beach were directly on the sand and not a few blocks away.
Please note that some links below are affiliate links, which means that we receive a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, but at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your support!
The 8 Best Panama City Florida Beach Resorts in 2025
8. Radisson Panama City Beach – Oceanfront
Key Highlights:
- Sits directly on the Gulf with a wide-open, walkable beachfront
- Features 1,000+ square foot suites with private balconies
- On-site bar and restaurant with ocean-facing seating
The Radisson Panama City Beach – Oceanfront offers a casual, but well-kept energy that’s perfect for folks who want the beach right outside their door. It’s consistently rated as clean and comfortable, and is extremely close to the shoreline—like, walk-out-the-back-door kind of close.
The property’s rooms are a little more spacious than expected, and most of them come with balconies that practically hang over the water. That ocean breeze hits differently when you’re sitting above soft white sand.
One of the underrated parts of this spot is the restaurant and bar setup, which sits right on the edge of the beach. You get your meals with a view and a soundtrack of crashing waves.
It’s consistently one of the most booked Panama City Florida beach resorts, as it nails the basics in a way that’s super satisfying. It’s also just a short walk from Gulf World Marine Park, so families with kids might find that location very, very convenient.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
7. Beachside Resort Panama City Beach – Most Affordable
Key Highlights:
- One of the lowest average nightly rate among beachfront resorts in Panama City Florida
- Two pools including a heated beachfront option
- Quiet west end location far from traffic noise
Beachside Resort is where budget travelers often end up—but nothing about this property is actually cheap.
Unlike a lot of busier Panama City Beach resorts, this one is on the western edge, so the crowd situation tends to be far less chaotic. The ocean is basically your backyard here, with a sandy stretch that feels semi-private most days.
The rooms are a bit on the simpler side, but they’re very functional, well-kept, and some even come with kitchens, which could be useful for longer stays or families. Pool lovers will appreciate the setup—one heated pool looks straight out at the water.
There’s no on-site restaurant, but there are plenty of casual spots just a short drive away. It’s also relatively close to attractions like Carousel Supermarket and Camp Helen State Park, which might not be headline destinations, but they’re cozy alternatives to the touristy stuff.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
6. Beachcomber Beachfront Hotel
Key Highlights:
- Every room faces the ocean with full-width balconies
- Large lagoon-style pool and tropical landscaping
- One of the closest beach resorts Panama City Beach Florida has to Pier Park
This property hits that retro-florida-meets-modern-comfort vibe that’s honestly kind of hard to find these days. Beachcomber Beachfront Hotel makes no effort to be ultra-glam, and that’s part of its charm.
You’re getting that easy-going experience with all the perks of being directly on the beach, including long balcony views that stretch out over the Gulf like a dream. The pool area here is way bigger than you’d expect and surrounded by palms that give it that tropical resort feel.
The rooms are decked out in clean, coastal colors with a beachy layout that’s functional without feeling bare. Most have kitchenettes, so you’re not relying on eating out every meal.
It’s just a short walk to Pier Park, so this is one of those Panama City resorts on the beach that works especially well for people who want easy access to shopping, dining, and nightlife. It’s kind of a best-of-both-worlds situation.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
5. SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront
Key Highlights:
- Oceanfront pool deck with poolside bar, fire pit, and lazy river
- All suites have ocean views with private balconies
- Free breakfast and modern-style rooms
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants modern and solid quality accommodations right by the sea, this property is basically built for that. The SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront is newer, shinier, and a bit more polished than many others on the strip.
Every room in the building has a front-row seat to the Gulf. It’s not often you can say that every single guest has a full ocean view, but that’s the standard here. Balconies come included, which makes sunset watching a daily ritual.
The pool area (along with a lazy river!) is where this property really stands out. It’s sleek, elevated, and complete with a poolside bar, lounge seating, and fire pits that light up the whole atmosphere at night.
This place is also one of the most family-friendly beachfront resorts in Panama City Beach Florida, with big suites that can sleep up to six and a layout that doesn’t feel cramped. Plus, the included breakfast cuts down on morning stress, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
4. Driftwood Lodge
Key Highlights:
- One of the few locally owned beach resorts Panama City Beach Florida offers with direct beach access
- Two pools and beachfront grilling areas
- Short walk to Pier Park and Russell-Fields Pier
This property is one of those low-key legends among beach resorts in Panama City Florida. Driftwood Lodge features a nostalgic, family-road-trip type of energy—but somehow still manages to feel fresh and personal.
The charming rooms are spread across a couple of buildings with direct views of the beach and immediate access to the sand, as the beach is literally steps from the pool, and there are shaded spots for grilling right by the dunes. If you’re into the idea of eating a burger while watching the sunset, this place delivers that kind of scene every evening.
Driftwood Lodge is also just a couple minutes away from Pier Park and Russell-Fields Pier, so you’re not cut off from the action. For being one of the quieter beachfront resorts in Panama City, it’s surprisingly well-placed.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
3. Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach, an IHG hotel – Best-Seller
Key Highlights:
- Huge pool deck with a waterfall, lazy river, and kids’ splash area
- Live music, kids’ activities, and nightly entertainment
- Multiple dining options and bars on property
This resort has a bit of everything, and that’s why it stays in high demand. Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach is one of the most popular Panama City Florida resorts on the beach, and for good reason—it blends convenience, family features, and location all in one.
Rooms are well-updated, most with views of the Gulf and the kind of balcony you’ll use constantly. The pool deck is a real standout—think waterfalls, a lazy-river-style layout, and shaded loungers galore.
This one’s especially great for families, thanks to the daily kid-friendly entertainment, poolside games, and themed activities. That said, the bars and restaurants on-site also make it easy for adults to enjoy themselves.
You’re close to shopping centers and the Shipwreck Island Waterpark, which gives it that vacation hub feel. Definitely one of the best beach resorts in Panama City for full-family getaways.
You can now easily see why it is one of the most popular Panama City resorts on the beach these days.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
2. The Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort – Top Value Pick
Key Highlights:
- Private beach access and multiple pools (indoor + outdoor)
- On-site lazy river, waterslides, and mini-golf
- Great bang-for-your-buck among beach resorts in Panama City
The Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort is that place people go back to year after year. It’s one of the beachfront resorts in Panama City Florida that really leans into being a full-on vacation playground.
There are multiple pools, indoor and outdoor, plus a lazy river and waterslides that run through palm trees. The beach is right there—walk out your room, and you’re on the sand.
They’ve built this into a sort of all-in-one property where you could technically stay for days without ever leaving. There’s a small grocery market, snack bars, an ice cream shop, and even mini-golf onsite.
The room options range from basic to multi-room suites with kitchens, making it one of the more flexible panama city beach resorts for both short and extended trips.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
1. Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront – Top Overall
Key Highlights:
- Directly on the beach with full Gulf views
- One of the most modern Panama City resorts on the beach
- Two bars, beachfront pool, and fitness center
We think the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach is the absolute best Panama City beach resort out there right now. It’s sleek, comfortable, and gives you everything you’d want for a full beach vacation experience.
The rooms feel brand new, with ocean views in most units, walk-in showers, and beds that travelers consistently say are incredibly comfortable. Each room includes a sleeper sofa, which is handy for families or extra guests.
The property has a solid breakfast spread, two full-service bars, and an ocean-facing pool area that feels like something out of a luxury magazine. Of course, the beach is literally steps away and beautifully maintained.
It’s also centrally located, so you’re a short drive from just about everything—from shopping centers to pier access and casual seafood joints. Among all the Panama City Florida beach resorts, this one delivers serious value wrapped in a clean, modern setting.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
