Palmetto Inn & Suites

The hotel is housed in a powder-pink building with white balconies that sits right on the beach, set back from a main road lined with palm trees. The lobby has views of the Gulf of Mexico, beyond the outdoor pool in the distance. The lobby has a beachy feel, thanks to palm-tree wallpaper and sand-colored wicker chairs. A statue of a shark wearing a Hawaiian shirt injects some humor into the place. There are plenty of vending machines with drinks and snacks, and the hotel sells bags of ice in the lobby, along with beach gear and sunscreen, both for sale in the gift shop. There's a free coffee machine marked by a neon sign and a rack of tourism pamphlets.

The atmosphere is laid-back and relaxed. The property is popular with families, and there's a game room with arcade games and a children's play area on the beach equipped with toys for toddlers. The property also attracts its share of older couples; this is definitely not a Spring Break party hotel.

Palmetto Inn & Suites is right on Panama City Beach, near plenty of bars and restaurants. Walmart is a five-minute drive up the road, and there's a steakhouse just across the street. Pier Park is less than a five-minute drive away and has shopping outlets, restaurants, and an IMAX cinema. Gulf World Marine Park is also five minutes from the hotel and has dolphin shows and shark feeding. Guests wanting to go fishing can head to Russell-Fields Pier, a 10-minute drive down the road, where the water is so clear that guests can see aquatic life swimming by from the shore. Panama City Beach Winery has free wine tasting and is about 15 minutes away in the car. 

Palmetto Inn & Suites offers a variety of rooms and suites, some of which come with stunning views over the beach and out onto the Gulf of Mexico. Some suites have kitchenettes with coffeemakers, microwaves, and fridges with ice-makers. The shaded balconies in the Queen Deluxe Suites are the largest in the house and each has two lounge chairs and two white plastic patio chairs. 

All units are bright and breezy, with a seaside decor theme complete with sandy yellow accents and pictures of boats or tropical scenes on the walls, plus bright, dated bedspreads with multicolored palm-tree motifs. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and writing desks. Beds are on the hard side, and pillows can be a little flat. Furniture is covered in water repellent fabric which is great for sandy and wet clothes that have come straight from the beach, as everything is easy to wipe off. Bathrooms are painted in yellow and have shower/tub combos with bright shower curtains and reportedly strong water pressure.

The Palmetto's large pool sits on a brick patio with outdoor showers and cushioned lounge chairs. It looks right over the beach. There's also a hot tub which, like the pool, stays open late. 

The hotel also has open gazebos with gas barbecue grills for guest use. The fitness center is tiny and has a few cardio machines and a rack of weights. There's also a smaller indoor pool as well as a game room with arcade games, plus on-site laundry facilities and a gift shop. 

Beachside lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent from a separate business but guests can avoid the fees and buy their own beach chairs and umbrellas at the Winn Dixie supermarket or CVS drugstore, both within short walking distance. Smoking is not allowed indoors but guests can smoke on the balconies.