Sheraton Bay Point Resort

After a $30 million renovation that was completed in 2016, Sheraton Bay Point Resort now has a lot more personality and an atmosphere of exclusivity than the numerous condominiums or hotels in Panama City Beach. The sprawling complex offers golf carts for guests who need assistance getting around. The oceanfront setting goes well with the upscale beach decor in tones of white, cream, blue, and orange. The lobby is spacious with chic furniture, colorful wall displays, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most of the restaurants have views of the sea, which is especially lovely at sunset. Though the design isn’t luxurious, there’s a high-end vibe for guests who want some privacy like past guests President Obama and Sheryl Crow. Visitors are often business travelers at a conference or couples on a romantic getaway. However, local residents also mill about thanks to hotel resort memberships. 

Depending on your perspective, Sheraton Bay Point Resort might offer one of the best locations in Panama City Beach. It’s a 20-minute drive from the main beaches and strip, but with a private beach, this property has a quieter location than most other high-rise resorts in town. Plus, it offers shuttle rides to the public beaches for those who wish to explore. Set in Bay Point Community, the hotel is in a mostly high-end residential neighborhood with a few restaurants within walking distance. It’s a 15-minute ride to Shell Island by the hotel’s private boat (for a fee) and right across a medium-sized bay from St. Andrew’s Park. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is about a 40-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at this Sheraton are tastefully decorated in white, cream, and ocean blue. Printed pillows, curtains, and ocean art pieces above the beds creates a chic contemporary vibe. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee. Chaise lounges with a small work table are a minor drawback for business travelers who might prefer desks. Many rooms have balconies or patios with ocean and/or pool views. Bathrooms aren’t extremely spacious, but they’re modern with walk-in showers with waterfall showerheads or shower/tub combos, toiletries (loofahs included), and hairdryers. Suites have aromatherapy steam showers. For those who want more space, there are also 60 one- or two-bedroom Golf Villas with pullout couches, microwaves, and balconies -- but only six are equipped with kitchens. They also have their own laundry facilities, pools, and playground.

Built for both leisure travelers and the convention crowd, this hotel is brimming with diverse amenities. The highlight is the private beach which features a seasonal beach bar, loungers, and is exempt from the no-alcohol ordinance in Panama City Beach. The hotel offers four pools -- two main pools, one of which is heated, plus an outdoor pool and children’s pool at the golf villas. The main pools are serviced by a pool bar with happy hours throughout the week and sometimes live music or movies. The spa offers hot tubs, aromatherapy showers, massages, and beauty treatments. Guests can get a workout at the 24/7 fitness center with LifeFitness cardio and weight equipment that can be synced with certain fitness apps. The hotel has a full-service tennis facility with a tennis pro instructor and five HydroGrid lighted clay tennis courts. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate two golf courses including a Nicklaus Design course and trendy golf boards in lieu of traditional golf carts. Dining options are plentiful here such as Tides, a fine dining restaurant with celebrity Chef Shane Miller of Food Network’s "Cutthroat Kitchen" and "Guy’s Grocery Games." There’s also a pier restaurant over the water, Pelican’s, with laid-back meals and frozen drinks. A large and varied breakfast buffet of hot and cold items are offered daily for a fee.Sheraton Bay Point Resort has 60,000 square feet of meeting spaces, a business center in the lobby, and Wi-Fi that's covered under the daily resort fee. The hotel also offers experiences like helicopter rides from their helipad, along with boat, kayak, and wave runner rentals,  wine hours, and events like night golf.  Resort fees cover free Wi-Fi, shuttles to the main beach, discounted boat rides to Shell Island, parking, and discounts to the spa, golf, tennis, and marina sports. Be on the lookout for new additions that will be completed by 2018 like a Starbucks coffee shop, airport shuttles, hot tub, fire pits, and RFD wristbands to gain access throughout the resort and pay for meals.