Need help with budget Panama City Beach hotel

[willoughbyclan]

I am trying to find a really budget minded hotel or house for 5 people to share in Panama City Beach for spring break which is 4/5-4/9/10. I have only been there once and am not familiar with the area. Can you guys help me with something inexpensive for 5 high school seniors? They want to stay on the beach, but the room doesn't have to be ocean front. I too, like the idea of not having to cross the street every time they want to go to the beach. I know that a lot of places will not rent to anyone under 25 years of age, which really narrows things down. One of the persons is 18, which does help, the others are all 17.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[2Eskiedogs]

We stayed at the Beachcomber by the Sea in Panama City Beach last year for spring break. We had a kitchenette, a small seating room that faced the water and a bedroom with 2 beds(I think they were queen). It was $119 a night. The owners were really nice. I think I have the phone number in my travel book, I will look for it if you want it. We only stayed one night. So I can't help you with activities(we just played in the water).
Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyShannon]

I live here in Panama city beach. I will tell you right now things get pretty wild down here on spring break. I suggest edgewater or one of the newer condos. DO NOT STAY at the sandpiper beacon it is a dump. Beachcomer is nice. All of the condo buildings are new and some look real nice.

 

[okeydokey]

I doubt you'll find a condo in PC that will rent to an 18 year old and 4 17 year olds.

 

[lastminutemom]

I wouldn't let them go without a real adult and I know that all along the gulf coast it is tough to find a place to rent without a 25 year old or older person.

I will second how wild it gets.

I am take 3 high school senior boys to Destin (I am a great mom.) Though it is months away, we have already laid out the ground rules.

Good luck.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I don't know if you will have any luck because of the ages, but you may want to try vrbo.com. These are all people who own condos and then rent them out-so maybe someone would be willing to rent to them.
We always stay at the Long Beach and love it-have been there 4 times and loved it everytime. Maybe you'll have some luck finding something there.

 

[Kellydelly]

I wouldn't let them go without a real adult and I know that all along the gulf coast it is tough to find a place to rent without a 25 year old or older person.

I will second how wild it gets.

I am take 3 high school senior boys to Destin (I am a great mom.) Though it is months away, we have already laid out the ground rules.

Good luck.

Kudos to you! I have been to PCB with my young family during spring break and the beach was littered with condoms in the morning. GROSS. Although props to the drunk kids using protection! We stayed at the Flamingo. Good rates, decent accomodations. We would stay there again.

http://flamingomotel.com/

 

[Mas17]

I too would suggest a parent being down there with the kids. I have been to PCB several times. It does get crazy!

DH & I will again be going with our 18yr old son & his friends. They will be getting their own room. (mostly 18-20yr olds). He is a senior in hs. Our rule, the 1st time they get their own room is this. They drive down with us, their own car of course, but follow us. They also stay where we stay. In a separate room which they are totally responsible for. We will have a key & can & do random checks on them.
I have rented several times from VBRO. (we like The Summit). If you tell the owners upfront, some will rent to younger kids. The deposit will be much higher though than if an adult rents it. (possibly as much as $500) Of course, it will be returned if there is no damage, etc to the room.
The Summit, is where a lot of the action is. Right next to Club LaVela. Not directly on the strip, but close enough. Also, warn them, NOT to buy pre-sale tickets to the club... my olders boys did this a couple years ago & they were no good.
The Summit, as I'm sure all condos, have very good security. I have seen many kids "asked to leave" from The Summit, for a variety of reasons. There is even a sign by the main elevator, stating, how many arrests, etc to remind them. We have been there for spring break and in the summer. We love it.

Bev

 

[willoughbyclan]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have found several that will rent to 18 yr olds and one I am currently looking at is a condo unit at Emerald Beach. Does anyone have any experience with this condo in terms of location, quality, etc.?

Thanks so much!

 

[ksumn1]

Kudos to you! I have been to PCB with my young family during spring break and the beach was littered with condoms in the morning. GROSS. Although props to the drunk kids using protection! We stayed at the Flamingo. Good rates, decent accomodations. We would stay there again.

http://flamingomotel.com/

I have to agree. We love the Flamingo. May be a little far out from the parties for Spring break though, if they're wanting to go to Lavela all the time. It is near Pier park, clean, family run and very reasonable prices.

imho, you're going to have a hard time finding a place to rent for them because of their ages. Many places won't rent to under 25 year old's or 21 year old's at the youngest.

The Sandpiper Beacon is a big party hotel but we've stayed there twice abd HATED it!! Same room size as the Flamingo but $100 more a night, stret view whereas the Flamingo was cabana level on the beach.

Try vrbo, also as suggested. Tripsmarter.com has some great forums on PCB and many threads dedicated just to Spring break trips, hotels and events. Try checking there for more info.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

You know there is a reason PCB has it's own cop show, right? DH and I went once and will NEVER go again and would NEVER let a child go, there is too much trouble there especially during Spring Break, because it is not just the teenagers, but college kids as well, and also lots of drugs and underage drinking. The traffic up and down the strip is horrible and we didn't go during Spring Break.

Destin and San Destin is a much nicer area, although we have never been during Spring Break, that is where we would rather go. There are still alot of places for teens to go: Hard Rock Cafe and Fuddpuckers are places that come to mind for me.

Suzanne

 

[okeydokey]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have found several that will rent to 18 yr olds and one I am currently looking at is a condo unit at Emerald Beach. Does anyone have any experience with this condo in terms of location, quality, etc.?

Thanks so much!

I would check tripadvisor. I always get good advise there.

 

[ksumn1]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have found several that will rent to 18 yr olds and one I am currently looking at is a condo unit at Emerald Beach. Does anyone have any experience with this condo in terms of location, quality, etc.?

Thanks so much!

I checked out tripadvisor briefly and there seemed to be mixed reviews. It received a 3 1/2 stars out of 5 so pretty good rating. From what I could tell, the quality and cleanliness seemed to be an issue, especially when renting directly form edgewater Beach. If you can find someone willing to rent on vrbo to you, I would try that route. At least in that case, you can see pictures, layout, and location of the specific unit you would be renting. I can't remember exactly where Edgewater is but on tripadvisor it's 1.4 miles form Pier Park and it's on Front Beach road so it should be fairly close to everything. If I recall correctly, it's new many of the newer condoes, maybe befor you get to Sharky's?? LeVela is is on Thomas Drive about a 10 minute drive in normal, off season traffic.

Remember to budget for gas because unless ya'll plan on walking, traficc wil bee bumper to bumper the entire time. Or rent scooters..always looked like fun to me.

Hope this helps!!