The Driftwood Lodge

The Driftwood Lodge is a low-rise, family-run beachfront hotel at 15811 Front Beach Road, a short walk east of Pier Park in Panama City Beach. It is one of two properties operated by Gilmore Resorts, whose family has been hosting beach guests here since 1957, and it keeps a retro coastal style that stands out among the high-rises on this part of the beach. The setting is on the sand, with a palm-shaded courtyard between the buildings and the Gulf.

Rooms come in a wide range of configurations, which is part of the lodge’s appeal for families and repeat visitors. Options include beach-level cabana rooms with two full beds, cabana suites made of two connecting rooms that sleep up to eight, queen and king efficiencies, one-bedroom efficiencies with a separate bedroom, and poolside efficiencies. Most rooms have fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, and many upper-floor units have private balconies, while ground-floor rooms open onto patios.

Pools are at the center of the property, with pools and a hot tub looking out toward the Gulf and a sundeck with lounge chairs. Melonheads Tiki Bar operates seasonally for drinks by the water. Gilmore Resorts also lists a splash pad for small children, barbecue stations, shaded picnic areas, shuffleboard, and planned activities, and guests will find a playground and a small library on site. Wi-Fi and self-parking are included. The property is low-rise, so guests are never far from their car or the sand, and the courtyard layout keeps the pool within sight of many rooms, which parents appreciate.

The beach is right there, and because this section of Front Beach Road is next to Pier Park, guests can walk to dozens of restaurants, shops, and attractions, as well as the Russell-Fields City Pier. The lodge’s sister property, Osprey on the Gulf, is next door, and the two share the same family ownership and relaxed approach. The lodge’s long run on this beach means many guests are repeat visitors who return to the same room each year, and the family ownership shows in the personal style of service. Because Pier Park is so close, guests can spend an evening at the shops and restaurants and walk back along the beach.

The Driftwood Lodge suits families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who prefer an old-school beach motel atmosphere with a kitchen in the room over a tower hotel. It is also a practical choice for longer stays thanks to the efficiencies. Visitors who want a quiet stretch of sand can drive to the West End or to St. Andrews State Park, but most guests here spend their time between the pool, the beach, and Pier Park. The quieter off-season months are a good time for longer stays, when the efficiencies make it easy to settle in.