There is a difference between a condo rental and a hotel rental. Condo’s will usually have all the amenities of a household where a hotel room will usually just be a bed and bathroom type set up. Hotels tend to be less expensive but not always. Depending on the level of luxury, a nice hotel room could run just as much if not more than a condo unit but you do receive more amenities with a condo. Here’s what you need to think about.
Most condominiums or vacation condo units will have basic living utensils such as appliances, pots and pans, eating utensils etc. They may also have books, blankets, and maybe some beach accessories. Most of these condominiums are owned either buy a timeshare management company or individual owners. If you rent a condo from an individual owner that owner sometimes uses the property for themselves so they may have a lot of items perfect for vacationing while you are there. Most of the time, renters have the use of everything inside the unit and can cook or prepare meals right inside the unit. Condominiums are perfect if you plan on going grocery shopping and cooking a lot of your meals right inside of the units. Most of these condos will have a small living room or seating area and dining room table and chairs.
If you plan on eating out almost every single meal and do not plan to spend a lot of time inside the unit in a hotel might be your best option. Many large resorts may also have rooms and suites that come with fully equipped kitchens and I like condominiums in many ways even though they are all owned by one large resort. These hotel or resort rooms may be more expensive and they may offer very limited kitchenettes unlike an owner owned condominium.
It also depends on where you want to stay. There are many resorts right on the beach but there are also several condominiums in larger resort buildings that have individual owner responsibilities. Most of these condominiums will not have a daily maid service or housecleaning service. Housecleaning usually happens after you leave so you are responsible for washing your own clothes or towels and picking up after yourself including cleaning dishes and any utensils you use each day. In a hotel, most of the time you will have daily housekeeping services but you may not have the additional cleaning of coffee makers or small kitchenettes depending on the condominium building or complex.
Hotels and resorts will usually have 24 hour guest services and maintenance. Smaller condominium complexes may not have 24 hour services and you may be limited to contacting management or individual owners of something should go wrong. This could give you a delay in services especially if you need something done right away.
There are often discounts on condominium units when purchased for an extended period of time. Usually hotel rooms have a set rate each day and you buy as many nights as you prefer. Todd many in units may have a discount on three or more days making it a better deal overall.
So when the time comes to set your vacation either for spring break or any vacation at Panama City Beach take heed to some of these tips on whether a hotel room or a condominium is your best vacationing option.