Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Panama City Beach FL

Red columns pop against the beige exterior of Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Panama City Beach. Inside, the lobby has a living-room like seating area with velvety gray and red couches positioned in front of a flat-screen TV on a wooden entertainment center. It's pleasant enough but not the kind of place you'd hang out for any length of time. The breakfast area just off the lobby is furnished with square tables and more homey decor, including wooden shelves filled with knick-knacks. This area can get busy at times, making for longer waits for guests, who tend to be a mix of business and leisure travelers. Keep in mind that there isn't much a social vibe here -- something most guests are pleased with -- and those looking for Panama City's legendary spring break scene will want to look elsewhere.

The hotel is located on busy Highway 98 about a five-minute drive from the beach. In the nearby vicinity, there’s a strip mall with a dollar store and a handful of restaurants including a Subway and a Little Caesars Pizza. Pier Park is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and has shopping outlets, restaurants, and an IMAX cinema. It’s a five-minute drive to Panama City Beach Winery, and Gulf World Marine Park is around a nine-minute drive. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is within a half-hour drive of the hotel.

Rooms at Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Panama City Beach are pleasantly modern and simple. They are done with light-brown carpeting and mid-tone wooden dressers and desks. Homey decor includes framed floral prints on the walls and attractive bed runners with red-and-beige leaf patterns. There are a variety of room types, some with extra amenities such as sofa beds and small balconies. Some rooms have an odd end-to-end bed set up, making watching TV a challenge. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and kitchenettes furnished with wooden cabinets, electric stovetops, coffeemakers, and matching black appliances including refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves. Plates, glasses, silverware, and limited cookware (only a couple of pans) are provided. Bathrooms are simple and have shower/tub combos plus long vanities with plenty of storage space. Towels, toiletries, and a hairdryer are provided. 

There's no restaurant at the Hawthorn Suites, but the hotel does provide a free hot breakfast buffet with muffins, fruit, eggs, and sausages or bacon. There's also a small outdoor pool with lounge chairs on a brick deck plus gas barbecue grills available for guests to use. The property has a tiny fitness center with two treadmills, a resistance machine, and free weights in a dated, carpeted room with towels and a water dispenser. Other on-site amenities include coin-operated laundry machines, an ATM, and a small pantry selling snacks. A meeting room is available for private events, and there’s an Internet corner with one computer and a printer. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and dogs are allowed for a fee.