Although hotels and motels can be found throughout the Florida panhandle, many of the most popular ones are located along the Gulf of Mexico. These include chain motels and upscale resorts that provide access to outdoor activities such as boating, fishing and swimming. Public parks, amusement centers and points of historic interest are also located in the Florida panhandle.
The Comfort Inn Pensacola Beach is on Davis Highway and across the street from the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel is also three miles from the University of West Florida and Pensacola Christian College. Attractions in this area include a Civil War museum, a fun center, the Pensacola Naval Air Station and the Pensacola Greyhound Track. Free breakfast, newspaper, coffee and local phone calls are offered to guests. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. All rooms come with cable TV and refrigerators. Nonsmoking rooms and rooms with microwaves can be requested.
Comfort Inn Pensacola Beach
8080 North Davis Highway
Pensacola 32514
850-484-8070
comfortinn.com
The Holiday Inn Express Destin (Mid Bay Bridge) is east of Pensacola, on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel is 15 miles from the Okaloose Airport, a block from the beach and one mile from the Henderson Beach State Park. Destin attractions include a large shopping complex, an arcade center and a water park. The hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool and provides business services. Guests receive a free breakfast and newspaper every day. Each room has cable TV and a work desk. Some rooms have microwaves and refrigerators. Items on the breakfast menu include cheese omelets, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and Smart Roast coffee.
Holiday Inn Express Destin (Mid Bay Bridge)
108 Hutchinson St.
Destin FL 32541
850-654-9383
hiexpress.com
The WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach, on the western end of the panhandle, provides direct access to the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. This a luxury hotel on 499 acres with 1,400 feet of beachfront property. The resort has a 220-acre coastal dune lake where guests can fish and paddle in boats. Both poolside and lakeside dining are available. The hotel has tennis courts, a spa, a fitness center, concierge service and free use of bicycles, kayaks, canoes and fishing gear. It also has numerous parks and gardens with foot paths, and children's activities and meeting rooms. The Inn includes 60 rooms that all offer a view of the beach. Room amenities include walk-in showers, plush linens and towels, cable TV, wireless Internet, phones with voice mail, data ports, CD/DVD players and fresh-baked cookies. The resort also offers privately owned vacation rental homes with fully equipped kitchens and one to six bedrooms.
WaterColor Inn & Resort
34 Goldenrod Circle
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
850-534-5000
watercolorresort.com
