The Hampton Inn & Suites (Beachfront) in Panama City Beach Florida is a relatively new building. It sits right on the beach and is a great choice for a hotel if you want to be right on the Gulf of Mexico.
Panama City Beach: What We like about The Hampton Inn & Suites – Beachfront
First, The Hampton Inn is on a great section of beach in Panama City Beach. PCB has 30 miles of beaches and this section is one of the best sections. It’s a half-mile from Pier Park, yet not too crowded.
The beach in this area, while still active, isn’t crowded because it’s not next to a mega-condo building. The Hampton Inn Beachfront sits beside Continental Condominiums which is a mid-rise building that just underwent a multi-million dollar exterior renovation.
There are many places to walk to for entertainment, snacks or dining. Gulf World is across the street which is one of the best places for a Panama City Beach dolphin experience.
To eat, you are only a minute or two away, on foot, from Shuckum’s Oyster Pub, Diego’s Burrito Factory, All American Diner, and Barefoot Hide-a-Way Grill. All places that I would drive to for a great meal anyway. So, being close enough to walk is a bonus.
And, The Hampton Inn is close to Pier Park. If you want to take a 10 minute stroll west along the beach, you will be at Pier Park with a huge array of places to eat and shop. And some great hamburger places.
It’s a Hilton – So You Get a Hot Breakfast in Panama City Beach
Since this beachfront Hampton Inn & Suites is owned by Hilton, you get a hot breakfast every morning.
Of course some things have changed since COVID. Now, instead of a buffet, you get served in a to-go box. You have to tell the server what you want and it gets boxed up with disposable utensils.
The one thing I didn’t like was there was no juice available for breakfast. Only coffee or water. I asked about juice and was told I could buy it from the store. This was a little bit of a letdown as I’m used to my Diamond Status at Hampton Inn and Hilton Hotels where I generally have a great breakfast experience.
But, this Panama City Beach hotel is doing it’s best during the pandemic, so I had no complaints over breakfast.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Beachfront at Panama City Beach is New and Clean
The building is fairly new and the staff was cleaning like crazy during the pandemic. So, it was one of the cleanest hotels in this price range I’ve ever stayed at.
Half the Hampton Inn rooms face the ocean and the other half face the street. When I checked in I asked about using my Diamond Status to get a upgrade to my room and they moved me from the street side to the ocean side.
The room was nice size and the balcony overlooking Panama City Beach’s Gulf of Mexico was amazing.
The room was extremely clean. Plus, nothing was in disrepair (even anything minor) which is something that you rarely find.
Parking across the street was plentiful and there was a covered walkway into the Hampton Inn building. And it was free, which is always nice.
Great Pool and Right on the Beach
There is a nice large L-shaped pool that allows the swimmer to select sun or shade. And there is plenty of seating.
But, the great thing about location is that you are so close to the beach and the water. Some places are set back a little bit from the beach, but all the buildings along this section of sand in Panama City Beach are extremely close to the water.
So, if you don’t like the sound of waves while you sleep, this may not be the place for you.
What We Didn’t Like – There Wasn’t Much
If I had to find something to complain about it would be only minor things. The glass shower door wouldn’t stay closed and would slowly slide open. And the tiny shelf in the shower could have been bigger.
The parking garage at The Hampton Inn here didn’t have enough Hilton Diamond parking spots, but you can say that about every Hilton property.
All in all the Beachfront Hampton Inn & Suites in Panama City Beach is now my go-to hotel when staying in PCB when not renting a condo.
The Hampton Inn & Suites – Beachfront
15505 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32413