I was thinking about going to Destin or Panama City Beach in August. The hotel prices start dropping off at that time.

The last time I went to Panama City Beach, I went in my Jeep. This time I want to ride my Heritage there.

Last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort, which was pretty good and a lot better than the regular Holiday Inn. My only real complaint about the place was the parking was across the street and you couldn't just walk across the street. You have to take this long way around through a tunnel. It sucked. Everything else was great, so I didn't think too much of it since I was in my Jeep (hard top, and reasonably secure)

I know I wouldn't feel good about parking my bike there. I also encountered heavy rain the first day there.

That has me thinking about hotels that have more secure parking, maybe covered parking or a parking tower.

I am not sure if I am going to Destin or Panama City Beach. I will be alone and would like to keep the hotel to less than $200 per night. The rates for the place I stayed previously that I liked except for the parking is only $130 per night at the end of August.

Am I being paranoid? What have been your experiences? Any advice? Good stories? Bad stories?

I've never really done too much long distance rides or vacation rides like this. When I went to Panama City Beach one or two years ago in my Jeep was the first time I have been on a real vacation since senior trip in 1989, which was to Destin.

I live in Lafayette Louisiana, so this trip is not nearly as long as what many of you ride.

 

Just don't go anywhere near Sandestin. They are not biker friendly in any way. Had to stay there for a conference last year and to entertain clients. Trailered the bike down so I would have my truck as well. They checked me in, I went thru the security guard checkpoint, unloaded the bike and parked the trailer. An hour later security guard came to my condo giving me an hour to remove the bike and trailer or be escorted off the properties with no refund.

I finally argued the point that they checked me in with the bike and trailer in plain sight and that they had no mention of no Motorcycles allowed on their website or any paperwork. I parked it in front of the Chief of Security's office for the week. I had to pay storage on the trailer.

They said I could have 10 golf carts per condo but not one motorcycle.

 

Outside of Jacksonville 10 yrs back, there was not much to have worry about while in N FL. Hardly any local felt need to lock their vehicle as folks down here rightfully do so.

I would call ahead and question about parking the bike within the front entrance pavilion, and if they have outdoor security.

 

+1 on staying out of Sandestin. Especially the Village of Baytowne wharf. They are very anti bike. I'd suggest looking at some of the places on Okaloosa Island. A lot better vibe down there anyways with a less pretentious red neck riviera sort of thing going on. One place I know that has a parking garage is the Waterscape. It's right on the water and right next to a great strip of bars/restaurants. There are other hotels in the area that are probably cheaper but if you are going with other people the waterscape is great because the rooms will sleep 8 or 9 which brings the price down a lot.

 

I forgot to mention that there is a Hampton Inn right on the Beach that is biker Friendly. I've stayed there and if I remember it is only about 4 years old.

 

Thanks for the tips.

Today was so ridiculously busy at work that the vacation is sounding better all the time.

It was so rough today that even though I don't drink, if I wasn't on call tonight I would probably get drunk at home.

 

Go to homeaway.com and vrbo.com. Look for a small house or a 1br condo to rent in the 30A area between the two towns. Like Seagrove Beach, Alys Beach, in there. You can likely find a place for $200 or less a night, have an entire place to yourself, and parking right out your front door.

We've been down to that area almost a dozen times, and that is what we do every time.

 

Being from the area... take a look at Plaza Motel on PCB. After aug 10 rates are like $60 per night.
Check out www.thunderbeachproductions.com for lodging links. Tons of stuff in one page.

 

That is pretty damn bad.

 

We always stay at the Boardwalk Condos, there's a parking garage and they are the host hotel for Thunder Beach.