Hotel at a Glance: Long Beach Resort

The Long Beach Resort has been designed so that every suite has unobstructed views of the ocean. Guests also have direct beach access in case you’d like to take a closer look.

• Oversized balconies look out over the Gulf of Mexico; one- and two-bedroom suites feature full kitchens and separate living areas.
• 1,330 feet of beach: You can walk out the doors of the resort and be right on the beach.
• Relax by the pool: The resort has a curving lagoon pool that winds its way around the resort, with a palm tree-studded island in the middle.
• Walk to shops and restaurants in Panama City Beach.
• Head down the street to the Wine Spectator award-winning Firefly restaurant.
• Polynesian pools and whirlpool spas let guest soak and relax while taking in the beach views.

Panama City Beach, Florida: Sugar-White Beaches, Spring Breakers, and Scuba-Diving Spots

Panama City Beach’s slogan—“The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”—may seem boastful. But TripAdvisor helped back up this claim in 2013, naming the local St. Andrews State Park as having 1 of the top 25 beaches in the United States. The park also has two fishing piers, a jetty, and a boat ramp, plus nature trails for bird watching. Elsewhere in town, you can arrange a scuba-diving trip to explore the area’s dozens of natural and artificial reefs.

Every March and April, spring breakers descend on the white-sand beaches and fill the streets outside dance clubs. The rest of the year, however, the atmosphere is more relaxed and geared toward families. There are numerous amusement parks along the 20-plus miles of shoreline. Many of the popular seafood restaurants and bars here overlook the Gulf of Mexico.

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, take the ferry to Shell Island, an uninhabited, 7-mile-long barrier island. On the ride over, you might see some of the bottlenose dolphins that frequent these warm waters. Once there, you can soak in the sun on the empty beaches and go snorkeling. It’s also worth it to visit the nature preserve at Conservation Park, which has 24 miles of trails. One 11-mile trek goes past wooden boardwalks and wetlands; keep your eyes peeled and you might see woodpeckers in the trees and alligators lurking beside cypresses.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.