PANAMA CITY BEACH − There is a new hotel on the Beach that allows guests to stay not only within walking distance of the Gulf of Mexico, but within walking distance of a popular shopping center in the area.
Local officials on Thursday celebrated the grand opening of Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort, a 255-room hotel that sits at 16006 Front Beach Road. Here’s what we know about the property, which is located next to Pier Park and near the Russell-Fields Pier.
Who owns the new Embassy Suites?
According to a press release from the St. Joe Company, the hotel was built through a joint partnership between St. Joe, Key International Inc. and Hilton.
St. Joe is a large land-development company headquartered in Panama City Beach. Key International is a global real estate developer and investment firm with operations in Florida, Spain and Portugal. Hilton is a popular hospitality brand known across the world.
“The location really can’t be beat,” said David Demarest, hospitality spokesperson for St. joe. “It’s probably the most walkable (hotel) in Panama City Beach because it’s adjacent to Pier Park, but it’s also right there on Front Beach Road with unobstructed views of the Gulf.”
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What type of rooms does the new Embassy Suites have?
The hotel features a mix of one- and two-bedroom suites. This includes both two-bedroom suites for families and multi-room suites that boast bunkbeds, the release notes.
It also has “Five Feet to Fitness” suites that are equipped with exercise equipment, including Peloton bikes.
What amenities does the hotel offer?
Barbara Lite, director of sales and marketing for the local Embassy Suites, said the property offers a heated pool with a slide and hot tub. It also has two restaurants: Blu Bar & Grill, which serves lunch and dinner; and Fin, which serves breakfast.
Mike Chouri, general manager, said the hotel also provides guests with complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, complimentary drinks and snacks and valet parking.
“I feel like we provide a home-away-from-home experience,” Lite said.
“Panama City Beach has great hotels,” Chouri said. “There are some new hotels, some old hotels, but what distinguishes us (is) the all-suite concept with complimentary full breakfast (and) with complimentary reception.”
The release also states the hotel has about 15,500 square feet of dedicated meeting space, excluding the pool area. This includes a more than 3,500-square-foot ballroom, two 783-square-foot meeting rooms, a 5,550-square-foot outdoor courtyard and a rooftop area dubbed “Vue 55” that is almost 3,400 square feet.
What other hotels say Joe own or manage?
In addition to the new Embassy Suites, the local land-development company oversees three other hotels in Bay County. they are:
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Hilton Garden Inn Panama City Airport − a 143-room hotel at 5625 Venture Crossings Blvd. in unincorporated Bay County near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
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Homewood Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach − a 131-room hotel at 47 Chip Seal Parkway in Panama City Beach.
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Panama City Beach − a 124-room hotel at 16000 Panama City Beach Pkwy. in Panama City Beach.
The company also oversees four other hotels west of Bay County in Walton County. they are:
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The Lodge 30A − at 85-room hotel located at 4721 E. County Hwy 30A in Santa Rosa Beach.
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WaterColor Inn − a 67-room hotel located at 34 Goldenrod Cir. in Santa Rosa Beach.
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The Pearl − a 55-room hotel located 63 Main St. in Rosemary Beach.
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Watersound Inn − an 11-room hotel located at 6652 E. County Hwy. 30A. near Seacrest.
Are more St. Joe hotels in the works?
The company is working to build four other hotels. they are:
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Hotel Indigo Panama City Marina − a 124-room hotel being built at 7 Harrison Ave. in Panama City. It is slated to open this year.
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Residence Inn by Marriott − a 121-room hotel at 15900 Panama City Beach Parkway in Panama City Beach. It is slated to open in 2024.
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Home2 Suites by Hilton Santa Rosa Beach − a 107-room hotel at 110 W. Hewett Road in Santa Rosa Beach. It is slated to open this year.
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Camp Creek Inn − a 75-room hotel at 684 Fazio Drive in Panama City Beach. It is slated to open this year.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort opens in Bay County