Florida Panhandle

[silvib]

Does anyone have any good resort recommendations for the Florida Panhandle? Whilst we've been in Florida for over 8 years, we've never been there. We enjoy golf so proximity to courses is a high priority. I've been told it's very nice. Thanks.

 

[JLB]

I don't much care for the Panhandle, so will not pretend to be knowledgable, but the golf resort that Escapes (formerly Coopershares) has affiliated with sounds like a nice place. I am guessing Destin.

I'll google it and see if I can find a link.

 

[JLB]

Well, my googling led to another TUG thread that I was involved in. TUGger Melinda Towne owns at that Escapes, and it is in Panama City. It is the former Tropical Breeze resort. Although golf is listed as an amenity, this does not appear to be the place I was thinking of.

Maybe OLCC has added something to their family up yonder. I'll go check that out.

Yeah, that's it:

http://www.orangelake.com/panamacity/home.html

 

[silvib]

Thanks for getting back to me. Actually I've only spoken to a couple of people & 1 of them lived there. Said the beaches were great, the scenery was wonderful - guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

 

[Kola]

Have you considered Marriott's Legend's Edge with it's 1500 acres of only partially developed land, incl golf at your doorsteps ? We don't own there but have stayed there once and would go back. Its not on the beach, but beaches are easily accessible and, of course, there is a great variety of places to eat or have a drink.

K.

 

[mshatty]

Have you considered Marriott's Legend's Edge with it's 1500 acres of only partially developed land, incl golf at your doorsteps ? We don't own there but have stayed there once and would go back. Its not on the beach, but beaches are easily accessible and, of course, there is a great variety of places to eat or have a drink.

K.

Is Legend's Edge on the beach?

Another in Panama City: Emerald Beach Resort. Wyndham just purchased 100+ units and will purchase another 150+ more. You may be able to rent it on its Extra Holiday website.

The other location in the Panhandle is of course, Destin:

Wyndham Majestic Sun
Wyndham Beach Street Cottages
Bay Club
Bay Club II
Club Destin (not so great)
Holiday Beach Resort, literally on the beach. This is a converted hotel but a Silver Crown RCI resort

 

[Hophop4]

If you are looking for a resort on the beach Landmark Holiday Beach Resort is in Panama City Beach. All the units have a gulf view and it is right on the beach. It is with RCI and II. Here's some pics we took this summer.

Hop's Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/EHophop8

 

[silvib]

Kola - Funnily enough, I looked at the Marriott site last night - it looks great.
Hop - Your photos are good - definitely beach front. Thanks everyone. We used to live very close to the sea but for the last 8 years or so have been right in the center of FL so on vacation it's very nice to walk along the beach!

 

[jmeinhardt]

If you want to try the panhandle I would go to Destin. The Sandestin resort (http://www.sandestin.com) has a lot to offer from timeshare resorts (the Bayclub and Club Intrawest) to hotels and condos. There are two or three golf courses as well as shopping and restaurants right at the resort. It was called the "redneck riviera" at one time but Destin and the surrounding area have become an upscale area.

 

[silvib]

The Sandestin looks great - golf courses look wonderful! Thank you!

 

[Zib]

My most favorite place in the world! Destin/Navarre has the most
beautiful beaches anywhere. Pensacola is nice. I have to admit
altho I timeshare everywhere else I've never stayed in any timeshares
here. My daughter lived in Navarre for a few years and I love the
place. I think it's Florida's best kept secret as far as gorgeous
beaches and sunsets go.

 

[tombo]

If golf is your primary consideration, Sandestin wins hands down. I have visited the panhandle every year for the last 20 years so feel free to ask any questions.

There is a wonderful Escapes to Orange beach Alabama (oceanfront), but the odds of trading for one is very slim.

I love Landmark in Panama City or Holiday Beach resort in destin for the 2 best ocean front locations. Landmark has large units and every unit is oceanfront with a great view. Tropical Breeze in Panam City is brand new and hard to get but also an awesome view.

As far as the beaches, the panhandle has the softest white sand of anywhere I have been including Bahamas, Hawaii, Cancun, Cozumel, east coast of Florida, the keys, and California beaches.

The sandestin resort has 3 timeshares, a Hilton, and many rental condos. The timeshares are BayClub, Bay club II, and Club Intrawest. At the sandestin resort there is a free shuttle to take you to several (I think 4) available pools, the beach (all timeshares are on the bay), the golf courses, and Baytowne Wharf which has about 20 restaurants, bars, and shops. During peak times staying at the resort is the best because parking fills up fast. I think the shuttle runs until about 3 am. If you like to drink while golfing or during live entertainment, no worry about driving as the shuttle will pick you up and bring you home.

 

[riverdees05]

The Marriott Legend's Edge is not on the beach? Close to a golf course.

 

[tfezell]

I own 2 weeks at Holiday beach resort in Destin. Nothing fancy by any means but location, location, location. It is on the beach, an what a beautiful beach. Many good places to eat nearby and if you like there is a couple of large shopping complexes. One is an outlet mall with many good shops.

If you want more upscale, Sandestin would be a great choice. Though not on the beach, it offers shuttle service to and from. It is a beautiful resort with a lot to offer.

 

[thinze3]

We stayed at the Pelican Beach Resort next to Holiday Beach. I thought it would be great to own at Holiday. Are all the weeks fixed. How are the MF's.

I own 2 weeks at Holiday beach resort in Destin. Nothing fancy by any means but location, location, location. It is on the beach, an what a beautiful beach. Many good places to eat nearby and if you like there is a couple of large shopping complexes. One is an outlet mall with many good shops.

If you want more upscale, Sandestin would be a great choice. Though not on the beach, it offers shuttle service to and from. It is a beautiful resort with a lot to offer.

 

[tfezell]

Most weeks are fixed, a few floats. Fees are not bad around 450.00. There has been one one-time fee due to hurricanes since I have owned there. Not bad though. Many upgrades came from that also. We love it!

 

[jolie]

Panhandle-Marriots @BayPoint

We stayed at the Marriotts @ BayPoint this past Labor Day week. Beautiful resort (read my review). It is directly located on a golf course. We dont play golf, but there was always someone playing. It is away from the party scene, maybe 5 minutes from gorgous beaches, tons of resturants. Resort I found was very family friendly. We stayed in a 2BR, 2Bath. Enough room for 8. We will definently try to go back there. We rated the resort a 10.

Have fun,
Jolie

 

[thinze3]

Was your 2BR unit in the hotel or in the timeshare villas?

We stayed at the Marriotts @ BayPoint this past Labor Day week. Beautiful resort (read my review). It is directly located on a golf course. We dont play golf, but there was always someone playing. It is away from the party scene, maybe 5 minutes from gorgous beaches, tons of resturants. Resort I found was very family friendly. We stayed in a 2BR, 2Bath. Enough room for 8. We will definently try to go back there. We rated the resort a 10.

Have fun,
Jolie

 

[mamiecarter]

Has the panhadel become just one more tourist destination?

I remember the Panhandle from the fifty s when it was a series of small towns, mom and pop restaurants and fishing
docks. Friends have told me it is now just like every other beach are, overbuilt and homogeneous with all the local flavor gone. Is this true?

 

[tombo]

There are lots of high rises now and more going up every day. It is a short drive to Grayton Beach state park which is secluded and never crowded like the good old days were. Other than that the only old mom and pops on the beach are torn down or soon to be torn down. It will never be like it was in the 50's and 60's, but the panhandle is still my favorite beach location of anywhere in the US for summer vacations.

The sand on the whole panhandle is whiter and more powdery than anywhere else I have ever been. The town of Seaside (where they filmed the Truman Show with Jim Carrey) is like beach town meets Norman Rockwell. It is worth the drive to spend a day there and rent a bike. There are numerous long stretches along the panhandle that the state owns where no buildings are allowed and you can have a beach almost to yourself. If you look you can find plenty of areas without the crowds, but Mom and Pop have left the beach.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

I stayed at Bay Club of Sandestin a few years back.
(I should have a TUG review from then.)

If you go there, I suspect their golf courses are good---as they looked pretty good to me.

HOWEVER, when I golfed in Destin, I played Kelly Plantation, which was TOP NOTCH. Regatta Bay was nice too. (again, see my old review)

Both, at the time, were less expensive than Sandestin's courses---if that is still true, you should consider playing 'off site'.

Pat

 

[silvib]

I'll need to make a note of all of these courses and look them up.