My first roadtrip through Florida's Panhandle was a solo venture some 10 years ago. I recall with pleasure the solitude of driving through pine forests along the mostly two-lane Route 98, crossing saltwater bays alight with seabirds; passing through Mexico Beach, whose shoreline was a blank canvas of white sand and turquoise water; and hearing the sonic boom of fighter jets going through their drills out of nearby Tyndall Air Force Base.
All of those icons come together at the newly opened Sheraton Bay Point, just south of Panama City Beach. The AAA Four Diamond resort isn't a typical beachfront hotel that you might expect in the tourist mecca of Panama City Beach. Instead, it draws from its unique location on St. Andrews Bay, itself an estuary and home to the most visited state park in Florida, to provide a well-rounded getaway that includes 36 holes of golf, a full-service spa, direct bay access for paddleboarding and kayaking and three different beach experiences. There's some pretty good food, too.
The Bay Point had long been a Marriott, then spent a few years under Wyndham until the current owner came on board in June 2016, completely gutting the structure and building anew with a $30 million investment. The 200-room resort officially opened in November but launched its grand opening over Memorial Day weekend following the completion of 120 golf villas. I visited as a guest of the resort in March, midway between the soft and grand openings.
The rooms are situated in three buildings. Building 1 comprises all the primary resort functions: lobby, fitness center overlooking the quiet pool and the bay, a Starbucks coffee bar (to open by end of June), the Tides restaurant with three daily meal services and 60,000 square feet of meetings space.
A guestroom at the Sheraton Bay Point Resort.
Buildings 2 and 3 may be a better fit for families. Bayfront, ground-floor rooms open directly to the family pool and are nearest the boardwalk that connects to the private island beach, the open-air bar and grill called Pelicans and the Bay Point Lady, which shuttles guests across the bay to the spectacular Shell Island, an expansive, unspoiled white sand beach directly on the Gulf of Mexico (chair, umbrella and snorkel rentals are available on the Bay Point Lady as are snacks and a restroom).
Guests can also rent YOLOBoards and bikes (YOLO was an early maker of paddleboards and is based in nearby Santa Rosa Beach). A hotel shuttle covers the 10 miles to Panama City Beach for those in search of a busy beach vibe or who want to visit Pier Point, a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment.
The Bay Point Golf & Tennis Club is a longtime fixture in the area and features 36 holes of golf, including a Jack Nicklaus-designed course whose signature fifth hole is surrounded by St. Andrew's Bay. Ospreys and fighter jets both get some aerial attention.
Golfers can speed up their game by riding a GolfBoard ($15 rental); it's a motorized, stand-up scooter with space for a bag of clubs that looks like loads of fun. The driving range offers unlimited balls for $25 per day, and the putting green is free. A glow-in-the-dark night course is set up once a month for family fun.
The 120 newly renovated golf villas are an equal split of standard rooms and suites that feature a bedroom, sitting area and expanded wet bar. Each suite can adjoin with a room to configure a two-bedroom suite. There is a dedicated pool for the golf villas.
There's also a completely renovated clubhouse restaurant at the golf course, called Club 19 Bar & Grill.
The resort's executive chef, Shane Miller, brings big flavors that match his personality: The guy has the ingredients of his gumbo recipe tattooed on his arm. Find out if there are any chef dinners or special events during your clients' stay and make them a reservation.
Wine Not Wednesdays pairs reds and whites with small bites in the lobby, along with some wine notes from the food and beverage director, a passionate and knowledgeable wine guy.
Serenity Spa is worthy of special attention. While the hotel has undergone ownership and management changes, the spa (located in an adjacent condo building) stayed open during construction and has a tight team that is personable and nurturing. The spa services are straightforward and solid.
The resort is located 25 miles from Northwest Florida Beaches Airport. Taxi service is approximately $65 plus tip. Dog owners can travel with their pets at no extra cost. Dogs are even welcome at the outdoor restaurants and at the private bay beach.