Tidewater Beach Resort

The Tidewater is generally clean and well-maintained time share condominium that doubles as a hotel. It has a busy, bustling feel and is popular with families and groups. Although this is a time share condo building, there are traditional public spaces usually found in a hotel, such as a welcoming lobby with a reception desk flanked by tourist information leaflets and seating areas. Many of the corridors are open-air, but those that are enclosed can feel humid and musty. A covered walkway takes guests to the parking garage, a useful feature that, like much of the property, gets quite full at times. There are several pools as well as a pool-side cafe and shop selling sundries, and the family-friendly Waves Bar & Grill is a simple space with bright furniture overlooking the beach. 

The resort is located on Panama City’s main street, Front Beach Road, which brings travelers up and down the Gulf of Mexico. Directly behind the property is the private, guest-only beach. In the immediate vicinity are residential properties, other high-rise condos, hotels, shops, and restaurants. Some of the area’s top tourist attractions are within easy reach, too. Pier Park and Russell-Fields Pier are both a 10- to 15-minute walk southeast, and the Gulf World Marine Park and the Museum of Man in the Sea are both a few minutes’ drive away in opposite directions. Shipwreck Island Water Park and Ripley's Believe It or Not! are both less than 15 minutes southeast by car, while Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a 20-minute drive northeast. 

The 570 condos in the property are available in one-, two-, or three-bedroom configurations; each unit is individually decorated by the owner, so decor varies enormously, and some are outdated and show a good deal of wear and tear. All units are spacious and bright, with large windows, full kitchens, free local call access, and furnished balconies as well as DVD players and free Wi-Fi. The majority of units have fantastic views over the Gulf of Mexico and several have washer/dryers. Those on the higher floors have the best views, while those lower down tend to get better Wi-Fi signals and are easily accessible by stairs (as the elevators can be slow and crowded). Bathrooms have a homey style, and generally have tiled or vinyl flooring, modern fixtures, and bathtub/shower combos, though again, these features can vary. Toiletries are not provided and housekeeping is not provided, though for a fee cleaning can be had every other day. 

The Tidewater has its own private stretch of sand and dedicated beach access directly behind the property. Beach chairs can be rented. During peak season, however, the beach gets very crowded and some feel the space isn't large enough to accommodate guests. The same can be said for aspects of the building itself; for example, despite there being seven elevators, there’s often a long wait to get on one, which leads to complaints. Still, the Tidewater does have a wide range of on-site facilities, including two lagoon pools with hot tubs, two indoor hot tubs, an indoor pool, a large fitness center, and a spa with sauna and steam room. All of these areas are clean and well-maintained, and the gym has a variety of equipment that includes free weights.

The lobby has a computer station and machines providing free, unlimited DVD rentals. Other entertainment includes a game room with arcade machines and a movie room. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building, with better signals on lower floors. Free parking in a covered garage and meeting rooms for business guests are also available. The on-site family-focused eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a beach theme to complement its sea views. A coffee bar and small convenience store are additional perks, and during the summer guests can make use of a poolside tiki bar, barbecue grills, and a kids’ club (though there’s a daily fee for the latter).