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

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