I have reservations for two places for a week in July. One is the new Marriott resort at St. Andrews Bay in Panama City. The other is a new house in Grove by the Sea subdivision right across the street from Seagrove Beach.

The Marriott place is a two bedroom villa with the usual resort amenities. The house is a three bedroom, 2-1/2 bath house, with two community pools and tennis courts and very close to Seaside. We really do like Seaside except we saw it seven years ago and loved it, and last time we went through there were so many more cottages that it sort of spoiled it.

Anyway, I know it kind of depends on what kind of experience we are looking for, but if you were making the choice, which would you pick? The problem is that I've only driven through Panama City and I've never seen Andrews Bay, so I don't know what to expect there. Seaside I know and I've driven through Seagrove, but can't picture where this house is that we are thinking of renting. I've seen references to "Old Seagrove," so I don't know if it's a new house built in an older area of town, or if it's a good or bad area or anything. Are there any bad areas in Seagrove? I like the way Seaside is kept up and would like to be somewhere that is well maintained, and I am sure the Marriott resort is wonderful. But I'd also like less crowds, less commercialism, and I think probably Panama City is a lot busier and more commercial than Seagrove.

This is a family vacation with teen kids.

Any comments to help me decide?

I might mention also that Destin did not appeal to us at all - TOO OVERDEVELOPED AND CROWDED. We we just run into more of that in Panama City?

I prefer Seagrove to Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton, Pensacola, etc. BUT, if you have teenagers with you, there will be a lot more for them to do in Panama City than Seagrove. Seagrove is quiet. It's only 5 minutes from Seaside which provided more than enough things for us to do - but each afternoon after our outing to Seaside, we rushed back to the solitude of Seagrove. Hope you have a great trip.

Mike, that's a hard question to answer b/c it depends so much on what you enjoy. I assume by the "new Marriott" that you mean the Mariott at Bay Point resort, which is not in Panama City. I'm not being a smart ass, it's just that I live in Panama City and haven't heard about any "new Mariott at St. Andrews Bay in Panama City." No one in my office did either. Maybe they have just added some villas to their already existing hotel at the Mariott at Bay Point. Bay Point is agated community with several adjacent golf courses. It's actually on Grand Lagoon, which empties into St. Andrews Bay. While considered in the beaches area, it is not gulffront.It's about a 10 to 15 minute drive to the nearest beach from the Marriott. The only waterfront beach at the Mariott is along the Bay/Sound, which is not ideal for sunbathing, swimming, etc. The advantage of the Mariott is that there are a few hotel restaurants on the property all within walking distance. If you like to boat or fish, you can easily rent a boat in the vicinity and it's a very short ride to Shell Island and through the pass to the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the houses at Seagrove are kind of old and not very picturesque. You could be several blocks from the beach.

Jeannie -

There definitely IS a new Marriott. It is Marriott's Legends Edge at Baypoint. It was scheduled to open just this month; maybe that's why you haven't heard of it. They are brand new two bedroom villas.

Sorry if you live there and haven't heard of it. I knew at least six months ago that they were under construction and scheduled to open in April 2001. So whether you've heard of them or not, they are there!

Glad to hear we are getting new business. Our economy needs it.

You are both wrong. The Marriott to which Mike refers is a new property, same general vicinity. All a part of Bay Point, not Baypoint.

As a resident of the general area, I can tell you that St. Andrews Bay area is nicer than Panama City Beach proper and less secluded than Seagrove. However, Seagrove is a great location. Just remember, At Seagrove, your teens will be quite a way from the things teens like to do. All in all, I would go with the house at Seagrove.

Thank you all - Seagrove it is! I figure if we get bored hanging out on the beach we can walk or ride bikes to Seaside and check out the town and shops there. Or spend one day at Panama City seeing what is there. Or go to a water park - I think there's one not too far away.

Any recommendations for good seafood? I would eat seafood every day while there if the price was right! I went to Daytona years ago and what I loved most was that the seafood was cheap and your plate was loaded down. Probably not the case anymore...