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Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort: Traveler Reviews

2.5 of 5
9600 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (Formerly Howard Johnson)
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Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort
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162 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Saint Johns, Michigan
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Host Hotel of IMFL 2012 - Glad we stayed here!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 27, 2012

While this is not a luxury hotel (nor do they claim to be), we were very comfortable. The service was great and since we were there for the Ironman race and they were the host hotel, it was very awesome to be there on site and not have to worry about parking, etc. We had nice drinks at the Rusty Anchor as well. We felt like we got the value we paid for and if we do this race again we will stay again! And they managed the logistics of all the set up and tear down in the conference rooms and ballrooms very well. I'm sure hosting this huge race is no easy feat, but they seemed to handle it like pros!

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask Becky48879 about Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Canceled within 2 hours”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed November 18, 2012

This place is disingenuous with their rates. Two hours after booking the room I reviewed the emails conformations only to discover the stay I booked for $500 was now $800 with all of these additional charges to my stay. The reservation specialist "Chris" opted to hide behind the terms and conditions after I determined they took advantage me. I was unable to cancel without incurring a $45 service charge (2) hours after booking the stay. I was robbed by this company of $45 bucks.

You have been warned.

My take away: I will book all reservations through a *major* hotel chains or through online services… Orbits, Travelocity, Hotwire, etc… I feel pretty confident that this would not have happened if I booked it through one of them.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Roy P about Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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richardson
Top Contributor
62 reviews 62 reviews
24 hotel reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
“If you don't care about anything but a great location and great view of beach, this is it”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed November 8, 2012

I absolutely love waking up to look at the beautiful beach every day. I love being able to walk to tons of restaurants and stores.
If you want a working tv or phone - this is not it. I don't think our phone in the room ever worked.
We had someone come look at the tv and fixed it for 5 minutes, then it stopped working again.
If you want fancy sheets, shampoo, or a modern/updated room, this is not it. Blankets and comforters had holes, stains and burn marks.
If you want a beachside pool or other nice things, you need to stay at the Boardwalk beach condos instead of the hotel.
If you want towels, coffee or other things, they are really good about bringing it. The staff was super nice overall.
Great view of beach, great location and good service. This is not a fancy or modern/updated place. It is in need of renovation.

Room Tip: get beachfront room for sure
See more room tips
  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with friends
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask slambiase about Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Columbus, Georgia
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Horrible Hotel, Horrible Customer Service & NASTY.”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed October 16, 2012

We booked at the BBR for a one night stay after going to our family reunion. We were not told that during "Thunder On The Beach" the hotel parking lot would be closed so bikers and vendors could park. They made us park a 1/2 mile from the hotel entrance in an "Overflow" lot at the Royal American welcome center. Walking isn't that bad for adults, but with 2 small children, walking along a VERY busy road is unsafe. The elast that could have been done was setup a shuttle or even a Valet.

After carrying 6 heavy bags on the 1/2 mile trek, I asked the little witch at the desk why we were being charged the same amount the bikers were, but being made to park 1/2 mile away, and she replied "It's Bike Week, dude. You'll just have to deal with it. She gave us our room keys and off we went to HOPEFULLY enjoy the rest of the mini getaway....NOPE.

We walked in and were slapped with the smell of dirty feet/body odor. We also met our roommates for the night...2 LARGE cockroaches and a swarm of very tiny gnats. The grout on the tile floor in the bathroom area had nasty black gunk stained on it and the sink still had the remanants of toothpaste from the last poor soul that stayed in the room.

Our "Gulf View" included large plants, a wooden deck looking structure and some sort of pump...not much for an actual view of the beautiful Gulf Of Mexico.

The remaining list of issues is as follows: At the base of the in-room refrigerator and the cabinet holding it, there were large areas of rust and mildew. Mildew also surrounded the window sills and door frames of the room. The carpet looked disgusting, and the bed closest to the window had 2-3 springs popping up into the mattress.

This hotel is AWFUL, and I would suggest you rent anywhere but the Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel. Check VRBO listings for condo's and cottages, or stay at a place on Back Beach road. Stay ANYWHERE, but the Boardwalk!!!!

Room Tip: Choose another hotel!!! But if you must stay here, ask for a room that is CLEAN and free of bugs.
See more room tips
  • Stayed October 2012, traveled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
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Crystal River, Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Vendor lodging for Thunder Beach Fall Rally 2012”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed October 15, 2012

Don't let the pics on the site fool you. This place is down right seedy in some areas. The room was totally getto. Tile grout in the bathroom was black from the grime. The Tides Building just needs demolished an re-built. I demanded another room in another building! They complied but the new room was only marginally better. This Hotel is NOT vendor friendly at all. They make you park your car in a lot about 1/2 mile away. That jog will get your blood going and Just what you need after spending 14 hours on your feet! Want a cup of coffee? plan on paying $2 for a small cup from a pod machine. Nasty! Try the Breakfast buffet? The gravy tasted like the can it came out of and the eggs were powdered. The only edible thing was the fruit, surprised I didn't get the craps. There isnt one good thing I can say about this place. BTW I paid $99 per night. they made me pay the entire bill up front upon check in.

Room Tip: Do yourself a favor, stay some where else
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  • Stayed October 2012, traveled on business
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask DeAnna B about Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about Hotel at the Boardwalk Beach Resort

Also Known As:
Hotel At The Boardwalk Beach Panama City Beach
Hotel At The Boardwalk Beach
Resort At The Boardwalk Beach
Address: 9600 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (Formerly Howard Johnson)
Region: United States > Florida > Florida Panhandle > Panama City Beach
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Business Center Free Parking Restaurant Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#16 On the Beach Hotels in Panama City Beach
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:2.5 star (2.5*)
Reservation Options:
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