One Bedroom Suite Oceanfront Top Floor

This suite faces the Gulf of Mexico from the top floor of Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach, so the sightlines are open and you wake to sea-and-sky views. Both the living area and the balcony take in the oceanfront outlook, which makes the suite a good choice if the view is the reason you are booking.

Yes, the suite has a balcony on the top floor with oceanfront views. It suits morning coffee, using the in-suite coffee/tea maker, and watching the Gulf from above the resort. It is a balcony, not a plunge pool or swim-out.

The private bathroom has a shower with a hand-held showerhead, plus designer toiletries, shampoo, soap, toilet paper and a hair dryer. Toothbrush and toothpaste are available on request, and towels and bed sheets are changed on request.

It is well equipped for one. At 785 sq. ft., it has a separate bedroom and living area, a dining table, full-sized refrigerator/freezer and microwave, and a coffee/tea maker. There is also a 49-inch LED TV with premium channels, free WiFi, and room service during limited hours. In-room dining is also offered during restaurant hours, from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

A mandatory resort fee of approximately USD 49 per night is charged per accommodation. It bundles in beach access, pool access, fitness center access, parking, in-room coffee, an in-room safe, laundry facilities and business center access. Free WiFi is available in guest rooms and public areas. Self-parking is complimentary, with the lot across the street reached by an underground tunnel with a sidewalk.

With one king bed and a capacity of two, it suits couples best, though a free crib means a baby can join. The resort itself is family-oriented rather than adults-only, so expect children around. There are 3 outdoor pools (a lagoon-style main pool, a children's pool and a whirlpool), a 5,000-square-foot lazy river, the Aqualand Water Playground, and a Kids Activity Center. Pools are open 8:00 AM to midnight. Guests wanting a quiet retreat should know that atmosphere is lively.

The resort has 4 on-site restaurants. They include The View Restaurant + Coffee Bar for breakfast and dinner, Chip's Grille for seafood, Tiki Pizza, and the seasonal poolside Bamboo Grill. Kids 12 and under eat free from the Kids Menu with a paying adult at The View, Bamboo Grill and Chip's Grille. The Aquarius Spa offers massages, facials and body treatments with Gulf views, and treatments need to be booked before arrival.

Check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. The main guest must be at least 18 and present a government-issued photo ID and a card or cash deposit for incidentals. A USD 300 Spring Break deposit applies to guests under 25-26 staying between February 25 and April 15. The hotel is smoke-free and does not allow pets, though service animals are welcome. Pool towels are issued by room number but cannot be taken to the beach. A 24-hour streaming camera overlooks the main pool deck. There is no airport shuttle, and the nearest major airport is roughly a 30-minute drive.