Jeannie sends us her reader success story about her trip to Panama Beach, Florida. We spent some time there this year, too, so it is great to get another review of such a great a family-friendly area right on the beach! Here’s her story:

 

The Start of the Trip

My friend called and told me she was taking her daughter for her senior trip with several of her friends to Panama City Beach. I said I may book a Hyatt if I could find one with availability and bring my sons, too. Sure enough, there were rooms available at the Hyatt Place Panama City so I booked four nights for 23,000 points a night during peak season.

The rooms were $429 a night. I paid to upgrade because they don’t recognize status here since it’s a Hyatt Place. I paid $234 to upgrade to a high floor with a balcony and ocean view, with a kitchenette that has a full-size refrigerator and a microwave. This room was completely worth the upgrade! I loved sitting out on the balcony and listening to the ocean—it’s my happy place. 

 

Hyatt Place Panama City Beach

While I usually don’t rave about Hyatt Place hotels, even though they are a great option for families of more than four people since you can usually get a room with two queen beds and a pull-out sofa, I’m in love with Hyatt Place Panama City Beach. This hotel is only a few years old and the nicest Hyatt Place I’ve ever stayed at.

It’s located steps from the beach and has a great pool and pool bar. You get two beach loungers and an umbrella included in your stay. The breakfast here has been much better than at any other Hyatt Place I’ve ever stayed.

      

 

Pier Park is a short walk away and has great shopping and food options, especially for teens. The famous oyster karaoke bar, Shuckums, is across the street and down one block. Ron Jon’s Surf Shop and Alvin’s Island are also very close and walkable from the hotel. We didn’t need to rent a car, but if you do, the hotel stay includes free parking. We took a Lyft from the airport, which was about a twenty-minute ride and around $30 during a busy time. 

 

 

 

Flights to Panama City

I found a direct flight from Indianapolis to Panama City on Southwest. When I first booked, it was around 22,000 points round trip for one person. I have the Southwest® Companion Pass, so one of my sons was free. So, for 40,000 points, I booked flights for the three of us. Two days before we left, Southwest had a huge sale. I rechecked the price, and our flights had decreased in price by almost 50%! I rebooked and got round-trip tickets for 10,500 points per person! So, for 21,000 points, I got all three of us round-trip tickets because of the companion pass! This was also a last-minute trip. I booked it at the end of May for June 17th!

 

Activities in Panama City

We spent every day out on the beach and at the pool. I made friends with the pool bartender, and it was fun because I’m pretty sure he made my drinks with extra rum.

 

 

We walked to the surf shops and Pier Park to shop. We ate a lot of lunches at Coconut Charlie’s hotel restaurant. They have the best margarita pizza with a tasty balsamic glaze. We didn’t spend much on food either. We always ate breakfast at the hotel since it’s included.

We could have easily bought groceries at Walmart or Target and made lunch at the hotel, but we didn’t do that this time. I found the hotel restaurant lunch prices very affordable. We would walk to a local restaurant for dinner. I didn’t book any excursions for this trip, as we just enjoyed the hotel’s amenities. It was a very last-minute but enjoyable trip for my boys and me.

 

 

 

Bottom Line

I love what points and miles have done for our family! It has truly been life-changing. The memories we can make with our kids and others will last a lifetime. This last-minute trip would have never happened if I didn’t have points and miles. I didn’t have to save up or deplete our vacation fund because it only cost me $33.60 for the taxes on the plane tickets and $234 for our room upgrade. This will be a hotel I will come back to! 

Thanks, Jeannie, for sharing your reader success story to Panama Beach, Florida! We agree that it’s a great spot to create family memories!

 

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Hyatt Place Panama City Review

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