Chances are, if haven’t visited Panama City Beach in a few years, on your next visit you may not recognize the place. Repeat tourists have often told me stories of how they remembered Panama City Beach. They exalt places like the old Hangout and the fun their kids had at Miracle Strip—even long-graduated Spring Breakers and their tales of transforming our beach into Northwest Florida’s largest rave.

When cruising down the “Strip,” gone are the mom and pop hotels and random snowcone huts; gone are the giant chicken wire and plaster figures that towered over roadsides. Gone, even, is good ol’ Petticoat Junction (some of you may not remember that one).

Much has changed. In fact, since I was young, Panama City Beach is completely different. But, just because there aren’t as many goofy golfs (and I love goofy golf) doesn’t mean the beach’s changes are bad.

Note what many consider to be upgrades. In place of the mom and pop hotels and various “huts” are truly majestic condominiums. These stylish structures bring an under-appreciated elegance to the beachside. There are less small retail stores and more shopping plazas. The Miracle Strip amusement part is now a relic, the dome of the old Abominable Snowman ride still visible over the green fence, but its joy and laughter moved slightly westward to Pier Park. Some of the old bars and hangouts are gone, only to be replaced by better bars, trendier restaurants and hangouts for all ages.

The charm of the staples remain with places like Shipwreck Island Water Park, Club La Vela, Spinnakers, Shuckum’s, Schooners, Gulf World Marine Park, Zoo World and Pineapple Willy’s, but recent additions like Pier Park, RockIt Lanes, Oxygen, the PCB Aquatic Center and other may add to the value of the whole beach.

In my opinion, that last statement may be truer than most people realize. Don’t get me wrong, the popularity of the entire destination hinges on the charm of the old Panama City Beach. But, as a lifelong resident, I love watching the change. The condominiums aren’t just big view-hogging edifices; they have amazing accommodations and advanced amenities. Because of them, the rest of the beach has been forced to keep up. The remaining hotels and motels have changed their décor and added to their amenities. Take the Holiday Inn Sunspree for example. Over the last three years they’ve added The Aqualand playground, a new beautiful convention and business center, the Sunset Lounge and upgraded all the rooms and bedding. This was a direct result of competition from nearby condominiums. And that’s not all. Even the grounds of the seven mile long strip conceded, becoming cleaner and better maintained in order to keep up with the overall “new look.” These changes have made the whole of the beach cleaner and nicer.

Panama City Beach is on the verge of great things, truly providing services tourists can’t get anywhere else. And with the new airport on the way and ongoing rumors of expanding Pier Park into a more “amusement-like” arena, more first-rate advancements are on the horizon. But what do you think of the changes? Do you like the new-look PCB or do you prefer the old-style beach? Let us know and we’ll make sure your concerns hit the right ears.

Thanks to Tim Hollis for an awesome, and sadly nostalgic, book “Florida’s Miracle Strip.” If you would like to purchase his book, click HERE.

Choosing the perfect accommodations for your vacation is often the most important decision of your entire getaway and the most difficult to make. On Panama City Beach, there are lots of choice hotels with lots of amenities. But there are also just as many elegant condominiums. Problem is, when you get ready to book, which way do you go?

There are pros and cons in booking either a Panama City Beach hotel or condo. Mostly, they offer a lot of similar accommodations and amenities. Still, here at SeePCB.com, we’ve decided to outline the differences for you, so you make the right decision for your vacation.

The Pros:

Condos

Size: In most cases, condos are great for families or an individual just trying to getaway. Panama City Beach condos offer extravagant decors and layouts and dynamite facilities on property. A condo unit can be as small as a studio or as large as a four bedroom.The size, for most people, changes the overall cost. Rather than one family occupying a room, two or three can occupy a single accommodation cutting the cost pretty significantly.

Decor: Although some units are designed by their owners (who aren’t always the most stylish designers) others are designed by a very strict guideline which means your unit will most likely be professionally furnished and rather tastefully appointed. Some of those requirements include flat screen TVs, DVD players, pillowtop mattresses and top-line appliances.

Kitchens: Cooking while on vacation is a luxury some can’t do without while others reject the very idea of such a thing. It’s still a nice option to have at your disposal. Panama City Beach condos not only offer the use of the facility but require it to be fully stocked with dinnerware and silverware.

Hotels

Price/Value: Not all hotels are within your budget, but most are less expensive than condominiums on average for all of Panama City Beach. With that price some hotels offer packages and a myriad of free amenities for every family member.

Service: Hotels on Panama City Beach are known for service. The staff at most beach hotels are available 24 hours and will usually bend over backwards to help you. Let’s say, for example, you arrive at 11pm and your room is next to some rowdy kids. What can you do? Go to the front desk and move. It’s that simple.

Consistent Quality: Most rooms are relatively the same in décor. That may sound off-putting initially, but when after you’ve checked into a room that resembles your son’s dorm-room while your buddy checks into the sweetest digs ever just down the hall, you might reconsider.

And now… The Cons:

Condos

Cost: Typically, condominiums cost more and in turn offer better quality and amenities. However, when you’re on a budget and just squeezed in the extra forty bucks a night, the cleaning fee and non-refundable deposits will usually be the point at which you turn to tears.

Service Although, some condominiums during the busy season keep front desk staff and linen runners, most don’t. That little difference will be awfully handy if you run out of toilet paper or soap.

Checkout Procedures: So you were thinking you were just going to drop off your keys at the front desk and be on your way, huh? Nope. You may have to actually do some chores before you leave; clean the fridge, wash the dishes, take out the trash, reset the thermostat and find all the remotes or you might be charged. Spouses take note.

Hotels

Size: A standard hotel room is not very large and has all its furnishings in one room. So if you’ve planned a romantic getaway but have to bring the kids, you might want to go ahead and start saving for the inevitable psychiatry.

Amenities: Albeit, most hotel grounds are full of great amenities, the rooms often lack such charm. What you often get is a balcony, beds, desk, television, armoire and bathroom; for some that is more than enough, others who might be expecting a kitchen or washer and dryer will find this a bit of a turn off.

So Who Wins?

To be honest, we like them both. We love the classic feel of a beachfront hotel as well as the comfort of a nice condo. For those vacationing to Panama City Beach, it’s more about the better fit for your situation. While price is often the deciding factor on vacations, consider the value to you in that price and ask yourself; will you get everything you want out of your vacation? If service and comfort mean more to you than price, evaluate the destination accommodation thoroughly before booking. Most of all, ask questions. Don’t assume anything. Not all condos come with washers and dryers and not all beach hotels are passé. Answering your queries, however outlandish, is the reason desk clerks and property managers get paid. So ask away and don’t be shy, because the real winner in the choice of hotel or condo should be you.

If you plan on heading to Panama City Beach soon, you might like the recent series of articles on Mini-Vacations.