Originally Posted by
swag
We like Pensacola Beach and Navarre, but sadly the beachfront Springhills in both those spots are now category 6. Your certs will go farther on the east coast. I'm not aware of any remaining beachfront category 5 hotels that include balcony rooms in their reward redemptions, anywhere in that area.
Check out the fairly new SHS in Panama City Beach. It is still only a Cat 5. And while I don't think their base inland view room (that is accessible through awards) has a balcony, the two times I've stayed there, I was upgraded to a balcony oceanfront room.