Hyatt Place Panama City Beach Review: Why This Affordable Beachfront Staycation is Worth It
This post is all about Hyatt Place Panama City Beach in Florida.
Staycations are always a great idea, but there’s something extra special about those spontaneous, last-minute getaways. That’s exactly what we pulled off for Scott’s 42nd birthday this past February. As the weekend neared and the forecast promised beautiful beach weather, I knew a beachfront hotel was calling our name — and Hyatt Place Panama City Beach was the perfect fit.
Book the Beach…
Lately, my obsession with credit card points and miles has been in full swing. So, I couldn’t resist flexing that muscle and booking us two nights at Hyatt Place Panama City Beach for just around 11,000 points per night in the Chase Travel Portal. The only out-of-pocket cost? A $25 resort fee per night (Nov-Feb), which jumps to $40 from March through October to cover beach chair and towel service. Honestly, the stellar breakfast bar alone made it feel like money well spent.
Credit Card Points Tip:
During the high season (spring and summer), transferring your points directly to Hyatt will usually give you a better point value.
Location
Hyatt Place Panama City Beach couldn’t be in a better spot. Fantastic restaurants, lively bars, and fun activities are all within walking distance. Pier Park — an outdoor hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment — is just a leisurely stroll away. We walked there, hit up the Food Truck Festival, and spent some time at Dave & Buster’s. And yes, we may or may not have eaten at Diego’s more times than I’m willing to admit. 😂 Check out my map below for a closer look at what’s nearby!
Our Room (219)
This beachfront hotel, built in 2022, still feels shiny and new. Our room was clean, modern, and spacious — and thanks to its spot on the second floor near the event space, it had impressively tall ceilings that made it feel even bigger. Pro: Those ceilings made our room feel like a suite. Con: Sharing a wall with the event space meant we got an unexpected soundtrack from a quinceañera during our second night. So, unless you’re cool with loud music until 11 p.m. (or can confirm there’s no event scheduled), I’d recommend requesting a room on a higher floor.
On the bright side, the beds were spotless and comfy, and the room temperature was perfect — easy to adjust, no thermostat battles required. Best of all? Our enormous balcony overlooked the stunning ocean, beach, and pool, giving us the ideal spot to soak in those Florida views.
Hotel Amenities
Hyatt Place Panama City Beach packs in plenty of perks, and let’s start with a big one — a Starbucks in the lobby! Okay, it’s not a full-blown Starbies, but they serve all the crowd favorites, which is a win in my book. And can we talk about the breakfast bar? Hands down, the best ‘free’ hotel breakfast I’ve had in years.
For instance, there were eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns, muffins, bagels, cereal, fruit, yogurt, granola, pastries, coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, apple juice, and even more! And we were pleasantly surprised at how good it all tasted.
For quick bites, The Market’s 24-hour grab-and-go section (where you’ll also find the Starbucks) has you covered. The hotel restaurant, Coconut Charlie’s Grill, is a casual yet classy place to grab lunch or dinner. It’s definitely an excellent option if you’ve spent too much time in the sun and can’t garner the energy required to leave the hotel. We’ve all been there, right?
The zero-entry pool offers plenty of fun, with a lazy river, fountains, and a hot tub. A few cabanas—complete with TVs—are also available to rent and are conveniently located next to the poolside bar. It was a little too chilly for me to jump in, but that didn’t stop my girls—they insisted the water felt heated!
Lastly, there are a few other key amenities worth mentioning: a fitness center with a beach view, convenient laundry facilities, and — of course — the infamous event space. Bonus: Hyatt Place Panama City Beach is dog-friendly (for a fee, obviously)! As of this posting, it’s $125 for 1-6 nights and $225 for 7-30 nights.
Hyatt Place Panama City Beach Activities
Above all, the beach was what drew me to Hyatt Place Beachfront — but surprisingly, it’s the location that would bring me back. With Pier Park and Aaron Bessant Park just steps away, there’s always something fun to do. This spot is ideal for New Year’s Eve or July 4th celebrations — park your car when you arrive and walk to all the festivities. Hot Tip: it’s a prime viewing spot for the fireworks, too!
Overall, this clean, modern, and conveniently located hotel checked all the boxes for me. Between the spacious rooms, beachfront views, and excellent amenities, Hyatt Place Panama City Beach made our spontaneous staycation feel effortless. I’ll definitely be booking here again — and I’d recommend it to my friends and family. Honestly, if your idea of happiness includes sandy toes, a refreshing pool, good food, and a solid cup of coffee to start your day, Hyatt Place Panama City Beach is for you!
