13 Best Hotels in The Panhandle, Florida

Of the properties in the Sandestin resort complex, this hotel offers the best value, with the lowest rates and plenty of amenities, including free bicycles, bodyboard and kayak rentals, fitness center access, and tennis court time.

Old-world charm and lovely architecture make perfect partners at this resort in a unique “planned village community” with lots of amenities, including four swimming pools, two hot tubs, two tennis courts, a playground, and a full-service spa and salon. Rosemary Beach is 2 miles away, and it's a 6-mile drive to Panama City Beach’s Pier Park.

A combination of neighboring homes and a carriage house, this entire complex was created with Victorian flair. Seventeen fireplaces and an ornate oak staircase with leaded-glass windows on the landing lend authenticity to this restored 1905 mansion. Of the 23 rooms in the collection, no two guest rooms are alike, but all are appointed with Victorian-era settees and four-poster or sleigh king beds. A full breakfast is served in the dining room, an afternoon social includes tea and cookies, and occasionally the inn offers weekday specials. You can also stay in the villa or a renovated carriage house. Popular for weddings and receptions, these may be the most elegant homes in Apalachicola. Free tours are offered in the afternoon if the accommodations are not in use.

You can sleep at least four and as many as eight in the luxurious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments at this high-rise resort on Panama City Beach. There are lots of on-site activities and amenities, including eleven pools; four whirlpool tubs; shuffleboard, pickleball, and tennis court; a par-3 golf course; and sunsets galore.

One of a few inns on the National Register of Historic Places still operating as a full-service facility, this turn-of-the-20th-century hostelry in the heart of downtown is easily identified by its wraparound porches, intricate fretwork, and widow's walk. Each room is uniquely decorated, and all were recently renovated. For an authentic Apalachicola experience, enjoy waking up here and starting the day with a complimentary breakfast on the veranda, or try dinner or brunch at the on-site restaurant, The Franklin. Wind down after a day of exploring at The Parlor Bar, where you'll find music, craft cocktails, local brews, and bar bites.

This clean and modern property is within walking distance of Downtown museums, shopping, dining, and nightlife and is only a short drive to Pensacola Beach.

Known for its 250-foot lazy river and cascading waterfall, this Gulf-front hotel is one of the most family-friendly on the beach. It has stylish guest rooms done in a cool and vibrant color scheme inspired by the ocean. For families, or adult travelers who are still kids at heart, the hotel offers Kidsuites with a PlayStation, as well as an indoor game room and such amenities as seasonal movies and children's activities. After sunset, the friendly staff mixes up concoctions at a four-story tiki bar.

Set in a renovated, landmark, 1951 property, this chic boutique property sets the standard for small-hotel luxury in downtown Tallahassee. Sleek guest rooms have the latest technology and sumputuous touches such as spa-like showers with pebbled floors and rain-shower heads. Dining at the casual LeRoc or Shula's 347 Grill steak house is a treat; the top-floor Level 8 Lounge offers a panoramic view of downtown and Florida State University at night.

Close to Florida State and Florida A&M universities, this seven-story, industrial-chic hotel is popular with visitors in town for game day or a campus tour. The Hotel Indigo chain is known for incorporating local flavor into its designs, and this property is no exception: the neighborhood in which it's set was once a business center connected to the nearby railroad, and the use of wood, metal, and leather in the lobby nod to the area's past, as does the wall art, which incorporates items such as railroad spikes and toy train tracks. The sunny and spacious rooms carry on the theme, but tend to have a modern feel with some rustic touches.

This tropical getaway, inspired by the lyrics of Jimmy Buffett, gives you the relaxed, fun Margaritaville experience with the amenities of a top-notch hotel. Directly on the Gulf, the hotel offers both Gulf and bay views from oversized guest rooms.

This resort with 1,000 feet of beachfront on the quieter end of Panama City Beach has something for everyone and enough amenities and activities to keep you busy for days without ever leaving the property. Accommodations range from studios for two to beach houses that can sleep 16 people. There are multiple indoor and outdoor pools, some heated, as well as sizeable water slides and lazy rivers. It's a kid's dream, with on-site mini golf, a games arcade, and a playground. In summer, special activities include games, karaoke, sunset s'mores, and foam parties. 

Accommodations in or near The Village of Baytowne Wharf—amid the resort’s many bayside dining, shopping, nightlife, and outdoor-activity offerings—include Observation Point North and South; Market Street Inn; Pilot House; the commanding, hotel-like Grand Sandestin; and the luxury options at LaSata, Bahia, and Elation in the Grand Complex. Among the bayside attractions are the Baytowne Marina, Sandestin's Tennis Center, and the kid-friendly Jolee Island Nature Park.