Seahaven Beach Hotel

The Seahaven is a four-story motel-style property that was built in the 1970s and is in need of an upgrade. The beachy lobby is clean, with cream tiled flooring and blue walls, a white paneled reception desk, and a homey seating area with jute carpets, wicker chairs, and wooden tables, but other areas of the hotel are in worse shape. Corridors and stairwells have peeling paint and are extremely dirty, and previous guests have complained of empty beer bottles being left on stairs. The terrace around the small outdoor pool has seen better days and the plastic lounge chairs don't add any style to the area. There is a popular restaurant on site that specializes in seafood and stiff drinks, which has good beach views and draws a mix of locals and tourists.That being said, the hotel is geared towards budget travelers, including families, though plenty of guests who are in town to party stay here too.

The hotel is located right on Panama City’s main street, Front Beach Road, where there are a range of other hotels as well as gift shops, grocery stores, and restaurants. The Seahaven has direct access to the stunning beach and there are a few tourist attractions within walking distance, making it a convenient spot for vacationers. Gulf World Marine Park is just a couple of minutes’ walk northwest while Russell-Fields Pier is just a two-minute drive or a 15-minute walk in the same direction. Miracle Strip Amusement Park is a 10-minute walk from the hotel while Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a 20-minute drive northeast.  

Guest rooms at the Seahaven have a basic brown and cream decor and are in dire need of some TLC. Spare, generic wall art and outdated light wood veneer furniture don't do much against the dark patterned carpets or the bed runners that are an attempt to smarten up the rooms. Many guests have complained about the poor levels of cleanliness, including stained and dirty bed sheets, uncomfortable beds, and mold in the bathrooms. When we visited, many rooms smelled of smoke, despite this being a non-smoking property, and walls are thin, meaning noise can be heard from outside traffic as well as neighboring rooms. Rooms have modern flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, though in-room Internet is not available.

The hotel offers a range of room categories: Some units have full kitchens and all have air-conditioning and private balconies with lovely views of the beach and sea. The largest room category is the three bedroom penthouse, able to sleep 12 people and featuring a kitchen with a washer/dryer. All rooms also have free local call capabilities, ironing boards, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and daily housekeeping. Bathrooms are basic, with old wallpaper, shower/bath combos, free toiletries, hairdryers, and large mirrors, but there were plenty of stains in bathtub caulking and near the ceilings.

On-site dining is available at Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant, a popular beachside venue that serves a range of seafood, salads, and cocktails. Kids eat free, but the hotel does not offer a free breakfast, though juice and coffee are set out in the morning. Tea and coffee can also be prepared in the lobby throughout the day. Another bonus for those traveling with children is the free kids’ club that runs during the summer season with a variety of daily activities. The hotel’s small outdoor pool is heated, but it overlooks the parking lot rather than the beach and isn’t particularly well-maintained. There is a picnic deck on site with barbecue grills for families and guests looking to save money on meals, and on-site parking is free. Free Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, and a computer station and laundry room are also on hand.