Gulf Crest

Gulf Crest is a 22-story Gulf-front condominium tower at 8715 Surf Drive, just off Thomas Drive on the east side of Panama City Beach. Completed in 2004, it sits on about 292 feet of Gulf-front shoreline in a residential pocket that feels calmer than the central strip while staying close to it.

The building has about 152 units, all two- or three-bedroom plans. Two-bedroom condos run about 1,190 to 1,390 square feet, and three-bedroom units reach roughly 1,800 square feet. Units have full kitchens and Gulf-view balconies, and high-speed elevators serve the tower, with assigned covered parking.

Amenities include two Gulf-front pools, one heated seasonally, two hot tubs and a kiddie pool. A beachfront tiki hut serves food and drinks, and there is a fitness center, a game room, a grilling area, a gazebo and poolside Wi-Fi. An on-site rental and management office and 24-hour security are part of the operation. A boardwalk leads from the pool deck to the beach. The on-site rental and management office can help with check-in, parking and building questions, which is handy for first-time visitors.

Rick Seltzer Park, a public beach park, is about three minutes away, and the Shoppes at Edgewater are about two and a half miles west. St. Andrews State Park and the Shell Island shuttle are around nine minutes east, and the restaurants and marinas of Grand Lagoon are close. Pier Park is a longer drive west.

Units at Gulf Crest are individually owned and rented through their owners and several rental companies, so furnishings, bed layouts, parking rules and extras such as seasonal beach chair service vary from one unit to the next. The larger floor plans and full pool deck make it a good fit for families and groups who want a quieter base near the east end.