Zen is In

Diverse accommodations line the breathtaking Panama City Beach coastline, some towering and colorful, others quaint, but few have the beauty and style to truly inspire. Inspiration resonates throughout the impressive Sterling Breeze, a Sterling Resorts Property. Modern in design, Zen in concept, this new, 22 story boutique-style condo distinguishes itself from the pack with attention to detail. Everywhere you look you see gorgeous appointments, warm earthy tones and a consistency in every aspect of both the architecture and the appurtenances.

Located on a perfect cut of sunny gulf-front, from nearly every angle throughout the building guests enjoy beach views whether working out in the fitness center, lounging around the over-flow pool or while gazing off rounded private balconies at a beach sunset. As I toured the property, enjoying the grounds, the rooms and the great views it became apparent that, although I’d seen lots of accommodations on Panama City Beach, I hadn’t experienced any place quite like Sterling Breeze. The startling difference is the attention to every detail.

The Concept:
Sterling Breeze totally re-defines Panama City Beach relaxation. Breeze is very posh, New York-esque, but fuses modern design with a natural quality to create a Zen-like atmosphere. You feel that fusion throughout. The lobby, for example, is decked-out in black Jane sofas, the walls are shiny black tile and the art pieces hanging on every wall are contemporary. Within those surroundings you hear water flowing in the lobby fountain, sunlight floods through large windows and the flooring is wood under your feet. This thoughtfulness in design is what makes Breeze’s atmosphere so calming. The vogue styles are refreshing while the natural feel reminds you that you’re still on the beach. Everything about Sterling encourages you to relax, just let go and enjoy the beach with no worries.

Location: Sterling Breeze’s prime location isn’t a coincidence. This detail, along with so many others, was thought out with the guests in mind. Sterling Breeze rests on Front Beach road halfway between Panama City Beach’s East and West ends. Guests get easy access to PCB’s most exciting attractions and thrilling nightlife. Mere yards away from Pier Park and Gulf World, Breeze also sits less than a mile from Frank Brown Park. On any given day you can skirt over to Shipwreck Island for a splashy-good time or to the Orchid Lounge for a martini and live music. So many choices.

The Amenities:
Breeze’s pool is unique on Panama City Beach, but the uniqueness is totally subtle. As you walk out onto the deck, the honed travertine tiling warms your feet just before you step into a saltwater perimeter over-flow pool. What is a perimeter over-flow pool, you ask? The perimeter overflow pool keeps the water level in the pool the same as the top of the deck. Around the pool perimeter is a channel draining the water at zero entry to create a visual masterpiece. In short, it looks like a big mirror lying on the ground.

Around the pool is a huge fire pit for grilling out with the family. And then there’s Waves Café and Wine Bar, an upscale outdoor eatery that serves unique entrees that suit the property’s posh atmosphere. Choose from an excellent wine list with all your favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris at $5 a glass or go bigger with full bottles ranging from $18.00 – $28.00. The food is totally different than any other poolside eatery on Panama City Beach. They serve the fun stuff like Cubans and cheeseburgers, but also serve dishes like roasted sweet pepper hummus for $7.00 or baba ganoush for the same price. The best of all may be the piazzas (7” flat bread personal pizzas) which are delicious at $7.00.

Other amenities include covered parking, beach chair service and a state-of-the art fitness center. I couldn’t help but get on the treadmill in the gulf-view fitness center where I found more details. Every bike or treadmill has a built in touch screen LCDs with personal cable and ports for headsets. Guest’s also get unlimited free DVD rentals, high-speed internet access and special activities for kids so parents can relax. A very cool addition I noticed was all the extra seating. Throughout the building were these nooks, secluded areas with tables and chairs, sort-of secret getaways within the getaway, where one could just chill out alone or with a partner. That‘s detail, people and I loved every second of it.

The Rooms:
Again, details are everything at Sterling and the moment you enter your room you notice the care and dedication put into making sure guests sigh, knowing that at Breeze they have no worries.

The rooms, like much of the building, blend a natural quality with contemporary design. Each unit is professionally decorated and you won’t find any white-thatch at Breeze. Earthy tones like deep brown, tan and blue as well as the natural textures of wood, stone and leather, blend with plasma TVs and hassock tables. Track lighting fixtures hang, providing just enough soft light not to take away from the natural light coming in. I visited several room types and in each one I instantly felt at home. The colors are perfectly comforting and the layouts spacious. Every room felt move-in ready.

In the kitchen, complete with enough the dinnerware for the whole family, you’ll find high-quality whirlpool appliances in black or stainless steel. The counter-tops are shiny granite ranging in styles from a wood-colored Baltic brown to a lighter Rainforest. It’s very upscale. Nice touches were added after construction like granite backsplashes behind the flat-top stoves and additional shelving for your souvenirs. The furniture and accent pieces, mostly wood, have function and style. Something as simple the a foyer piece, I found, didn’t just look great but had coat hanger and additional space for storage which was a nice touch.

In the bedrooms the bedding is high-end with Simmon’s pillow-top mattresses and cozy Wilkinson’s spreads. Even the closets have added detail with additional shelving for all your stuff because after one night you’ll want to stay longer.

The attention to detail continues over to the bathrooms. There you’ll find gorgeous his and her wood double vanities with pedestal sinks and big, open showers with solid-glass frameless doors.

Outside, the balcony’s shape is consistent with the shape of the building, meaning you get a rounded-panoramic view of the world’s most beautiful beach. As a nice added touch, you get your own outdoor electric grill, perfect for grilling up shish kabobs under gulf skies.

They offer 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units (some with bonus bunkrooms ranging in total square footage from 914 – 1835 sq. ft.) but no matter which size or location you choose, the quality is consistent throughout. Every owner chose from a specific group of professional design palettes to ensure that every room has the same quality and detail.

The Price:
For such classy digs you’d expect to pay big, but the prices are reasonable. Nightly summer rates for 1 Bedroom/2 Bath range from $209.00-$289.00. Larger rooms like the deluxe 2.5 bedroom/3bath go for $269.00 to $379.00. If you bring the whole family plus the in-laws you can get a monster 3.5 bedroom/3bath unit for $339.00-$419.00. Fall and winter rates dip considerably. You can get the same 1/ 2 for $109.00-$169.00 or that huge 3.5/3 for $219.00 – $309.00. They also offer comparable seasonal monthly rates during the winter as well.

The Bottom Line:
Sterling Breeze in my opinion is definitely in the top 5 among all Panama City Beach accommodations. The feel and the quality alone make it worth every penny. The staff is friendly and seems to genuinely care about the guest’s comfort while on vacation. Manager Lisa Dallas said it best. “I’ve been a part of this property since the beginning; picking the land, the development and now management. At Sterling Breeze, all you need is a swimsuit and a toothbrush. We take care of the rest.”

Sterling Breeze Condominiums is located at 16701 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32413. For more information or for reservations please call (850) 233-8908

[mappress] [flickr]set:72157619072184091[/flickr]

Splash! Resort Condominium

What do you get when you place an exclusive new condo on 400 feet of breathtaking Panama City Beach shoreline and then sprinkle just a touch of Nickelodeon? You get a family fun vacation at Splash Condominiums, a Sterling Resorts Property. One of the most unique properties on Panama City Beach, Splash is 21 floors of fun, decked out in bright colors, whirling designs and all the splashiness one can handle. The gulf front property takes on the difficult task of being both elegant and lighthearted and, honestly, makes it look easy. As I toured the property, everywhere I turned I was met with smiles, laughter, sunlight and beach. I don’t know about you, but that just about covers everything I need on a family vacation.

The Concept:

Splash’s concept in a word is fun…and lots of it. Located at the cusp of Panama City Beach’s west end, you’ll know you’ve reached a destination primed for fun the minute you gaze upon the sherbet-colored edifice overlooking the gulf. Splash simplty isn’t your typical condo.

You park your car, you ascend up to the skywalk and Panama City Beach as you knew it changes. The colors grab you immediately; vibrant and jovial, the skywalk almost seems lit up. Even the carpet designs and ceiling art makes you want to smile. Once you make it across the skywalk, it becomes obvious why they call it Splash; the pools.

The Splash pools are quite possibly the most exciting pools on the beach. Two unique, bi-level pools stretch across the entire ground level, looping, swirling splashing underneath you. An adult beach-view pool and Jacuzzi occupies on side while the other is a kid-ready water playground, complete with waterpark-like slides, waterfalls and literal bucket loads of water. Fun is the concept and it’s tickling at you even before you reach your room.

The Amenities:

Splash does an admiral job of being family-friendly while still providing state-of-the-art amenities. The pools alone would be enough for most families looking to get away. But there’s more. They kids get to enjoy a “dive in” movie theater and an arcade with mini-bowling. The parent’s can hang out at the poolside bar and grill or break a sweat in the gulf-view fitness room. In room, all units come equipped with full kitchens and full size washers and dryers as well as private balconies. All rooms also come with internet access and when you’re worn out from all the fun you get complimentary DVD rentals as well.

Click Here to read on to “The Rooms, The Prices and The Bottom Line”

More Pictures:

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The Rooms:

Splash is all about fun, but the rooms are where things get serious. They offer one, two and three bedroom condominiums that all enjoy spectacular gulf views. As soon as you step into the rooms, natural tones and loads of sunlight welcome you to your vacation. Immediately, I noticed all the wood and marble which provided a nice feel. From every angle throughout the place, you hear and see the Gulf of Mexico. Individual rooms have varying designs, but the room I visited was rather tastefully appointed with elegant boutique-style furniture. The full kitchen with all new appliances, the flat screen televisions, the spa showers and big fluffy couch had me ready to kick back and stay awhile.

The pillow-top mattresses were nice and firm (yes I tested them and nearly fell asleep) and from the bed you wake up to beach views through the private balcony. Outside, the balconies are huge and offer ample seating and views. From the room I visited, both pools and the beach were within the same gaping view making it easy to keep an eye on the kids while you chill out. The balcony is so relaxing you might want to order your Riptide Burger (1/2 pound Angus beef hamburger $7.00) and Pina Colada from the Riptide Bar and grill to go.

The Price:

Splash’s rates vary depending, of course, on what type of room you get and during what time of the year. During peak season (05/22/09 -08/16/09) you could enjoy a 2/2 for around $249.00 – $379.00. If you need something bigger, the 3/3 will run you $319.00 – $429.00. Off season rates dip considerably. During fall season (08/17/09 -10/31/09) you can get that same 2/2 for about $129.00 – 209.00 or the 3/3 for $189.00 – 269.00.

The Bottom Line:

If you’re looking to book a family vacation and plan on really having some fun, Splash is worth the cost. Close to Pier Park and other Panama City Beach attractions you can truly get everything you want out of your trip without breaking the bank. I went and honestly didn’t want to leave. I suspect you’ll feel the same way. Stay at Splash and have a blast.

Click Here to GO BACK to part 1

Two Bedroom “The Wave” Unit Layout

Three Bedroom “Paradise” Unit Layout

Splash! is located at 17739 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beac, FL. To make reservations call (850) 636-9000.

[mappress]

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.