Panama City Part 1 – The Embassy Suites Hotel | Sunsets and Small Discoveries: Our Return to Embassy Suites Panama City

I. Introduction: Returning to a Favorite Spot

The Draw of Panama City

We’ve been here a few times before, but the last two times we stayed at the then new Embassy Suites. And this is now our go-to hotel for one of our favorite destinations.

First Impressions This Time Around

We arrived at the hotel about 2 hours after lunch. We told the valet we were self-parking and he immediately walked away. Not friendly in the least. Unlike our first visit here, during which we did use the valet service.

Daniel checked us in – a very polite and well-dressed young man. I asked if we could have our requested room, the one we stayed at during our last visit, and he nodded yes. I was very pleased. We really like this room. It is well located and well designed. So different from the NOLA Embassy Suites. Way different. Everything works here. Even the door lock. :) See New Orleans “tech” issue.

The “Home Away From Home” Feeling

Well, it’s not really like home, but it is comfortable and the staff for the most, is very friendly and helpful. For instance, on the 2nd morning of our stay, we enjoyed another casual breakfast, and returning to the room, my wife realized that her reading glasses, on which she relies, were missing. We looked all over the room and couldn’t find them. So, on our way out for our walk on the beach, we stopped in the breakfast area and asked one of the staff there if she’d seen a pair of reading glasses. To our surprise, she had, and had placed the elusive reading aids back on the table we sat at. That was a relief. Now we could take a walk on the fine sands of Panama City’s beach – worry-free.

II. The Room and Property Experience

Layout and Functionality

One of the reasons we enjoy staying at Embassy Suites, besides the made-to-order breakfasts and the evening reception, is having a 2-room suite. I tend to get up very early and go down to the breakfast area to write the details of the past day in my journal. I try not to wake my wife, so a door between the jack-and-jill bath, and a door between the bedroom is a much appreciated feature. I shower, get dressed, having laid out my clothes the night before, and quietly slip into the hall.

Here’s a hotel tip: Hotel room doors have closures on them, to ensure that the door closes firmly. And firmly means LOUD. So here’s the tip. Open the door, step out, and hold the door open slightly. Using your key card, swipe the door lock as you would when you enter the room, and the latch unlocks. Now, with the knob held down, gently close the door, and voilà, blessed silence. Bonus tip – this also makes sure you left the room with your key.

The Hot Water “Secret”

It takes a long time for the hot water to get to the shower or sink. At least this true for our room on the top floor. After learning how long it takes I’d turn the hot water on in the shower as soon as I get into the bathroom. By the time I’m ready to get in it is really hot. Turn the handle to about 2 o’clock for a good hot shower. (We use analog clock hand positions to describe where the best setting is for this shower/hotel.

Property Layout

This Embassy Suites, and much of the ocean view hotels, condos, and apartments, are actually located at Panama City Beach. Panama City proper is across a bridge to the east and faces various bays rather than the gulf itself.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City Beach Resort is across the Front Beach Road from the beach. Crossing the street there is a long boardwalk over the dunes, leading to the beach. Just off to the west is the Russell-Fields Pier.

Compared to the surrounding properties, this hotel is a low slung building, being only 5 stories high, shaped in a “C” around the large pool area.

You have a choice of valet parking, or self-parking in the open parking area in the rear of the property. We chose to self-park. Access to the hotel from the car is convenient, and you can save a few bucks with this choice.

The Breakfast Routine:

Breakfast here is about the same at any Embassy Suites – made-to-order omelets or eggs cooked any way you like. They even have egg white omelets for those who want to reduce calorie, fat, and cholesterol intake while maximizing protein consumption.

There is also a breakfast bar with prepared scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and red potatoes. Lots of people like this choice in order to skip the sometimes long lines at the omelette station.

There are dry cereals, oatmeal, sometimes there are grits, and nuts and other toppings for cereal. Also, there is always milk, whole or skim, and yogurt, one of my favorite toppings for dry cereals.

The Evening Reception:

I think this started during Covid; the unfortunate shift from glassware to disposable everything. And it stuck. Wine is now served in plastic cups. Snacks are served in flimsy paper food boats. We’ve digressed. And increased the amount of waste, across all industries. Seems a shame.

Anyway, the evening reception here is still a treat. On the outside patio you can watch the lovely sunsets, gradually changing the ocean from blue to orange to red. The wind dies down, and there is at least an impression of calm. This is a favorite time for us.

Snacks at the evening reception are varied. Goldfish crackers, tortilla chips, sometimes a veggie plate, cheese, both cheddar and Pepper Jack, and assorted dips. It changes slightly each night. After a while it’s nothing to get too excited about.

Most evenings we sit by ourselves, but occasionally someone near us will strike up a conversation. On our second day here, that was the case.

At this particular social hour we sat at our usual place on the front patio. A couple sat behind us, and were in a very social mood (chatty). By the end of the “hour” we struck up a conversation and learned a good bit about them. They live in Crystal River. Used to live in Tampa. Sold their house there during the pandemic. Above market value. And built a new home with the money from the sale, on a 10 acre lot they owned at Crystal River.

He owns a hunting lodge nearby. A hurricane blew through and damaged most of what was around it, but the lodge was spared, for no apparent reason.

He worked for the water division of Nestle, among other companies. His son is in the army at a nearby base. They have a daughter too. Their children are both independent and don’t ask them for anything now. They got through college on some kind of a Florida state plan, so the university expenses were minimal.

It is amazing what people will tell you about themselves sometimes. It happens to us all the time. Because we are good listeners. And no, they didn’t ask us anything about ourselves. Typical.

IV. Life by the Water

Towards the end of our time here, we crossed the street and headed west on the sand. At high tide there isn’t a lot of firm sand to walk on, so we got a pretty good workout.

Back at the hotel, we put on our bathing suits and headed to the heated pool. Max depth is 3’ deep. The pool, although popular, has plenty of room for short bursts of swimming. Mostly we just moved around a lot and enjoyed the refreshing water and low impact movements.

Our room had a fantastic view of the pool and the ocean, with the east-facing balcony and sliding glass door letting in bright, early sunlight. We love watching the early morning scene out on the water. You might spot early beachcombers searching for the perfect shell, pelicans choosing their flight path to their favorite feeding spot, or, if you’re lucky, a school of porpoises gliding along, searching for their next tasty meal.

V. Reflections on the Pace of the Trip

Being retired has its perks, that’s for sure. Having time to read, enjoying lunches at restaurants with a view of the ocean, watching our favorite shows, hiking or walking leisurely on the beach, are just a few of the benefits. Making healthy choices is key, when you don’t have a set schedule. We never forget to be grateful for our time on earth, and the beauty of our world, which is all too easy to take for granted.

VI. Conclusion: Final Verdict

Now we are back home where we’ll fall immediately into our at-home routines. And after a few weeks, we’ll get restless and start listening to Jimmy Buffet songs about following the weather, and making a plan for our next venture.

Speaking of weather, a friendly tip when you go to the beach in October, or in the spring. The sun can be quite warm even then, but don’t forget to bring a sweater or windbreaker for a breezy early morning walk or sitting poolside or on the beach watching the sun set.

Embassy Suites at Panama City Beach is a favorite hangout now. We’ll make sure to return someday. The friendly staff, excellent accommodations, and inspired design of the hotel, will surely lure us back here again.

Next I’ll tell you about some of the things we did during our stay that didn’t involve the ocean. Hiking, walking in the park, mini-golf, and much more. Stay tuned.

Have you been here? Where did you stay? We’d love to hear your story, so leave a comment below. Ciao till next time, Randino