Splash by Royal American Beach Getaways

We had a great time and would definitely return. We stayed in room 1004E through VRBO, a lovely, quiet hotel with a great ocean view. There are several pools, so everyone doesn’t have to crowd into one, plus a small kids’ area with slides and a water park section. A couple of places on site serve food and drinks. My one complaint is the surprise $40 parking charge. When you’re already paying good money for a resort, I don’t agree with that fee.

The resort itself was kept clean, and I noticed the elevators were cleaned and smelled fresh each morning. A fresh coat of paint would help in some spots, but the place was still clean. The ocean view was beautiful. Our condo, room 1003West, was probably the best we’ve stayed in. It felt clean as soon as we walked in, and even the floors were free of that lingering beach sand you often find. I’m picky about cleanliness, so that stood out. There were a few issues: the refrigerator was leaking when we arrived, and the blender was missing some parts, though everything else worked well. Under the trundle bed, the cleaning crew had missed a pile of water bottles and an orange. That was the only really gross thing. Remember to bring extras like laundry detergent, trash bags, toilet paper, and dishwasher pods. The Bar and Grill was great. The woman who runs it, or the manager, was there every day, worked fast, and clearly knew what she was doing. The food was good too. The pool was very cold, and I think the heated section could have stayed on longer, at least until after Memorial Day. There are only two elevators per side for more than 20 floors, so plan for a wait, especially with a cart when arriving or leaving. The walk from the garage to the condo is also a bit of a haul. Still, the Skywalk is fabulous and saved us from crossing the road with luggage. I’ve seen guests at other resorts drop luggage in the road while cars waited.

The pool area was a highlight, clean, relaxing, and a nice place to unwind. The facilities overall were well maintained. Still, noise from the neighboring rooms came through what seemed like thin ceilings, which made it harder to feel comfortable. There was also construction in the room next door during my stay. It added noise and hadn’t been mentioned ahead of time. I’d also like to see more staff around the pool, to make sure only hotel guests are using it and improve the experience and security for people staying there. With a few changes, this could be a much better stay.

We’ll be back next year. My husband, daughter, and I go to Splash Resort in Panama City Beach every spring break, and it’s a perfect family spot. The beach is beautiful, and some condos include beach service with two lounge chairs and an umbrella. There are two pools, a splash pad, a lazy river, a hot tub, and a poolside bar. The coffee shop also serves breakfast and lunch items. Every room faces the beach, and you can choose from one to three bedrooms. All the rooms we’ve stayed in had bunk beds, and they’ve always been great. The parking garage is across the street and attached to an Alvin’s, with a breeze at for a safe crossing. At registration, grab the coupon books for freebies around town. The resort is about a mile from the pier, where there are shops, games, the Sky Wheel, and restaurants. There’s plenty to do!