Gulf coast Hilton suggestion?
Feb 18, 2019, 3:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: a little here, a little there
Posts: 1,443
Gulf coast Hilton suggestion?
My favorite Hilton-branded hotel for vacation used to be the Hampton Inn in Corolla, NC, as I would save my work-earned points for use on a nice family beach vacation. (Boy, how the points-category has increased there! But that's another thread.)
And now I've moved, and NC is too far.
Can anyone suggest a good Hilton branded hotel on the gulf coast, anywhere from Biloxi over to Panama City Beach, FL? Of course, prefer something close to, if not on, the water.
Much thanks in advance.
And now I've moved, and NC is too far.
Can anyone suggest a good Hilton branded hotel on the gulf coast, anywhere from Biloxi over to Panama City Beach, FL? Of course, prefer something close to, if not on, the water.
Much thanks in advance.
Feb 18, 2019, 3:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
There is a relatively new Hampton Inn Panama City Beach that I stayed at about a year ago. It was right on the beach.
At that time, parking in the garage across the street was free (Parking is now $15). It was one of the only Hamptons I have seen in the US with a cocktail bar. It was very new and shiny at the time.
The Hampton Inn Panama City Beach Pier Park is very nice, but about a half mile walk to the beach.
Hampton Inn Destin is across from the beach, but the only access is about a block away, but I found it very nice.
There are some Hilton resorts in Destin and Sandestin right on the beach.
Hampton Inn Navarre Beach is on the mainland but a quick mile to Navarre Beach across the intercoastal. It was nice and much cheaper than beach front.
There is a Hilton and a Hampton right next to each other on Pensacola Beach and I love that area. I have stayed at the Hampton there and loved being right on the beach.
I can't help you with Alabama but have been to Biloxi, and while the town is interesting, the beaches just cannot compare to the sugar white sands that you get in the FL Panhandle.
Pensacola Beach is my favorite because you have the national seashore so close and there is also Ft Pickens which is an amazing fort that dates back to the 1800s. The Hilton there looks very nice, and I enjoyed my stay at the Hampton.
At that time, parking in the garage across the street was free (Parking is now $15). It was one of the only Hamptons I have seen in the US with a cocktail bar. It was very new and shiny at the time.
The Hampton Inn Panama City Beach Pier Park is very nice, but about a half mile walk to the beach.
Hampton Inn Destin is across from the beach, but the only access is about a block away, but I found it very nice.
There are some Hilton resorts in Destin and Sandestin right on the beach.
Hampton Inn Navarre Beach is on the mainland but a quick mile to Navarre Beach across the intercoastal. It was nice and much cheaper than beach front.
There is a Hilton and a Hampton right next to each other on Pensacola Beach and I love that area. I have stayed at the Hampton there and loved being right on the beach.
I can't help you with Alabama but have been to Biloxi, and while the town is interesting, the beaches just cannot compare to the sugar white sands that you get in the FL Panhandle.
Pensacola Beach is my favorite because you have the national seashore so close and there is also Ft Pickens which is an amazing fort that dates back to the 1800s. The Hilton there looks very nice, and I enjoyed my stay at the Hampton.
Feb 19, 2019, 5:21 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,322
The Lodge at Gulf State Park is a brand new Hilton property. I wrote a review of it here a few months back.
The two two properties on Pensacola Beach are OK, but not stellar. The island itself is great.
Our favorite in in the area is the Sandestin Beach Resort.
The two two properties on Pensacola Beach are OK, but not stellar. The island itself is great.
Our favorite in in the area is the Sandestin Beach Resort.
Feb 19, 2019, 6:05 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Embassy Suites Destin. It's not beach-front but it has beach access and the ES concept (suite, 2nd TV, breakfast and manager's reception) works well for kids.
Feb 19, 2019, 7:20 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,322
Adding to previous comments:
Hilton Sandestin is expensive. Very expensive.
But, they have amazing service and great kids’ programs in the summer. One year we watch the fireworks show from our balcony. Last year, they were doing sand art on the pool deck. The staff is very attentive to our kids’ needs. The rooms with the bunk beds with portholes are awesome.
I’d say The Lodge at Gulf State Park is not a family friendly hotel, especially when kids are involved. More of a couples getaway.
Hilton Sandestin is expensive. Very expensive.
But, they have amazing service and great kids’ programs in the summer. One year we watch the fireworks show from our balcony. Last year, they were doing sand art on the pool deck. The staff is very attentive to our kids’ needs. The rooms with the bunk beds with portholes are awesome.
I’d say The Lodge at Gulf State Park is not a family friendly hotel, especially when kids are involved. More of a couples getaway.
Last edited by aww3583; Feb 19, 2019 at 7:33 am
Feb 19, 2019, 7:49 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Between MGM & ATL
Programs: Primarily Hilton & Delta
Posts: 137
I would also suggest the The Lodge at Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores, AL). It is brand new and located inside the ocean front state park, so no close neighbors to either side. Gulf Shores to the west and Orange Beach to the east offer plenty of restaurants. Lots of activities are available (especially for kids) inside the 6,500 acre state park. I've got a conference down there in early September and I think the King Room rate I got was around $125 a night. That't not a conference rate, just Hilton Honors.
Feb 19, 2019, 7:57 am
#11
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
I would second the Hampton in Pensacola Beach. You walk out of the back of the hotel right onto one of the nicest looking stretches of beach in the Continental US. I have stayed at the Hilton Resort next to it and all I can say it is a way overpriced dump of a hotel. I would recommend the Hampton over the Hilton even if they were the same price. I've also stayed at the Sandestin Hilton resort as well and it is nicer than the Pensacola Hilton by far.
Feb 19, 2019, 10:02 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,268
There's also the Hilton Garden Inn in Ft. Walton Beach- far newer than the Sandestin Hilton, direct beachfront, and a pool area that includes a lazy river. I'm a local so I've never stayed there but it seems to get good reviews.
Feb 19, 2019, 11:58 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
From what I understand, all these properties were west of the hurricane damage. Most of the hurricane damage was from Panama City (not PCB) to the east.
All these properties are west and my understanding is that they had minimal damage.
All these properties are west and my understanding is that they had minimal damage.
Feb 19, 2019, 12:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,268
We've been over to Bay County a few times since the storm, and Panama City Beach looks largely good and open for vacation business. It's crossing the Hathaway Bridge to Panama City proper and the lightly populated points east where you're still frequently in zombie apocalypse territory.
Michael was a wee tiny hurricane by Atlantic standards. I live 5 miles due north of Destin and about 75 miles west of where the eye made landfall and we got maybe 25 mph winds sustained.
Michael was a wee tiny hurricane by Atlantic standards. I live 5 miles due north of Destin and about 75 miles west of where the eye made landfall and we got maybe 25 mph winds sustained.