North America / North America Hotels / United States of America Hotels / Panama City Beach Hotels /

The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Panama City Beach

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Panama City Beach

If it's your first trip to Panama City Beach, Florida for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Panama City Beach. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Panama City Beach. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Panama City Beach for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Panama City Beach beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Panama City Beach for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Osprey on the Gulf

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $190 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Located at 15801 Front Beach Road, Osprey on the Gulf has great rooms from $190 (before taxes). It offers a restaurant, a bar, parking, rooms with kitchens, and child care. It has a terrific 9.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 4.7 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love a child pool, laundry facilities, bicycle rental, fishing, and a multi-lingual staff at this relaxing hotel. And with the ability to cook your own meals in the kitchen, you can save money and time. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Coffee shop
View Prices and Reviews


Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $282 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Panama City Beach
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A great place to stay is Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach which has nice rooms starting at $282. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 11127 Front Beach Road. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, child care, laundry services, golf, and a hot tub which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 0.9 miles from the city center. Being able to relax at the pool bar is a great way to spend your time here.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Saltwater pool
  • Kids' club
View Prices and Reviews


Emerald Beach by Panhandle Getaways

3-star Resort with prices starting at $256 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

We found Emerald Beach by Panhandle Getaways to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $256. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 14701 Front Beach Rd. You'll also find snorkeling, a bar, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and a hot tub which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 3.8 miles from the center of town. That hot tub is terrific after a long day of sightseeing.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


The Summit Beach Resort By Panhandle Getaways

3-star Resort with prices starting at $261 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Panama City Beach
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

With terrific rooms from $261, The Summit Beach Resort By Panhandle Getaways, at 8743 Thomas Drive provides an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. Its terrific guest rating is 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers a bar, parking, rooms with kitchens, a hot tub, and a game room. It's located just 7.1 miles from the city center, too. The indoor pool at this hotel is very nice, and is a great place to unwind and relax on your trip.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Majestic Beach Resort by Schulstadt Rentals

4-star Resort with prices starting at $283 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Majestic Beach Resort by Schulstadt Rentals has a great guest rating of 8.70 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking. The great rooms here start at $283 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 10901 Front Beach Rd. Furthermore, it also offers rooms with kitchens, golf, a hot tub, a game room, and an indoor pool, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 0.5 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and so is the food.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $214 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Panama City Beach
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

The great guest rating of Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point is 9.30 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a fitness center, scuba diving, and rooms with kitchens. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $214, and it's located at 4000 Marriott Drive. We also love the rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, golf, and a game room which are great for visitors. And since it's just 5.4 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. Being able to prepare food in the room is also very convenient. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Kid-friendly
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Fitness room
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
View Prices and Reviews


Holiday Inn Express & Suites Panama City Beach

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $281 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A cool place is Holiday Inn Express & Suites Panama City Beach because it has great rooms that start at $281. It has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 12907 Front Beach Road. Only 2.3 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love breakfast, golf, a free breakfast, a hot tub, and an indoor pool at this convenient hotel. Everyone loves a nice pool, and you won't be disappointed with this one.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Boardwalk Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

3-star Resort with prices starting at $357 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Boardwalk Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways offers an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $357 (before taxes). It's located at 9600 S Thomas Drive and has earned a guest rating of 8.10/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers snorkeling, a bar, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 0.6 miles from the city center. The heated pool is comfortable, relaxing, and fun for everyone.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


The Driftwood Lodge

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $192 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Panama City Beach
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

Located at 15811 Front Beach Road, The Driftwood Lodge has great rooms from $192 (before taxes). It offers a bar, a child pool, free parking, laundry facilities, and fishing. It has a terrific 9.99 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a multi-lingual staff, air-conditioning, a coffee shop, a 24-hour desk, and a library which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 4.8 miles from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Coffee shop
View Prices and Reviews


Palazzo Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

3-star Resort with prices starting at $283 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

View more photos

A great place to stay is Palazzo Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways which has nice rooms starting at $283. Offering an outdoor pool, a fitness center, snorkeling, rooms with kitchens, and a hot tub, it also has a great guest rating of 9.80 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 17281 Front Beach Rd.. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a game room, an indoor pool, free parking, car rentals, and bicycle rental. It's located just 6.3 miles from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Destin, Panama City, Santa Rosa Beach, and Crestview.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Panama City Beach, make sure you also see Best Beach Hotels in Panama City Beach, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Panama City Beach, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Panama City Beach, Best Hotels for One Week in Panama City Beach, Best Hotels for One Night in Panama City Beach, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Panama City Beach, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Panama City Beach, or Best Business Hotels in Panama City Beach.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Panama City Beach?

Panama City Beach Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$237

After analyzing 26 first time trip hotels in Panama City Beach, Florida, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $237. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Panama City Beach.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $283
  • 3-star hotels: $258
  • 2-star hotels: $165


Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
Share This Page

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.