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Panama City Beach: Baseball, Beach Walks, and the Secret Society of Embassy Suites

  • Writer: Little Luxe Family Travel
    Little Luxe Family Travel
  • 1 day ago
  • 3 min read

We recently rolled into Panama City Beach for the Ripken Futures baseball tournament, made up of kids from across the country who get invited based on their performance in other Ripken All Star games. So yes, it’s a big deal. And yes, the parents are proud. And yes, the cameras come out so fast you’d think we’re paparazzi and not just people with 14,000 blurry photos of someone’s elbow mid-swing.


Tournament Trip Math

A baseball tournament trip is basically:

  • 50% baseball

  • 30% logistics

  • 20% “what are we eating and how soon can we get it”


But the best surprise? PCB actually felt like a vacation too. We had some really nice days and I loved starting mornings with a walk on the beach—quiet, peaceful, and just enough ocean air to make you believe you are the kind of person who wakes up early on purpose.


Where We Stayed: Embassy Suites PCB (aka Hilton’s Best-Kept Secret)

We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Panama City Beach and I highly recommend it.

And I don’t know if I’m sharing a secret here or not, but…the last few times we’ve stayed at an Embassy Suites, it’s felt like Hilton’s best-kept secret.

Why?

  • Big rooms (you can unpack without living out of a suitcase like a tired raccoon)

  • Free made-to-order breakfast (omelet station = emotional support)

  • All the amenities that make sports travel feel less like survival


This location was also right in the center of everything, which is exactly what you want when your schedule includes things like “Game 1,” “Game 2,” and “find caffeine immediately.”


The Amenity Highlight Reel

  • A quick walk to the beautiful beach (perfect for those morning strolls)

  • A huge pool with a slide (kids: thrilled / parents: calculating towel needs)

  • Hot tub (aka the parent recovery lounge)

  • Gym (for the ambitious among us)

  • Laundry facilities (the real MVP of tournament travel)

  • Right next door to tons of shopping and restaurants

  • And yes—a Ferris wheel, because obviously baseball tournaments now come with carnival perks

Between Games: Rosemary Beach + Alys Beach

When we had a break from baseball, we took a ride to Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach and—wow.

These places are super cute, like:

  • “Every building is prettier than my whole camera roll” cute

  • “Even the sidewalks look curated” cute

  • “Do people live here or is this a luxury screensaver?” cute


A Heads-Up About Beach Access

If you’re going for maximum beach time, you really need to stay there, because it’s almost impossible to get onto the beach without key access.

It’s giving exclusive coastal VIP.And I respect it.But I also would like to be included. 😄

Still—go to the village for:

  • the food

  • the shopping

  • and that laid-back “beach town” vibe that makes you want to buy linen pants you will absolutely never wear at home


So: PCB for convenience + easy access, Rosemary/Alys for the full “30A lifestyle experience.”


Bonus Tip: Flying Into Pensacola (Cheaper Flights!)

If you happen to be flying in and out of Pensacola (our flights were much cheaper), we stayed the night at the Tru by Hilton right next to the airport.

Quick review:

  • comfortable

  • clean

  • perfect for an “arrive late / leave early / no surprises please” travel night


Final Take

Panama City Beach ended up being the perfect blend of high-level youth baseball and actual vacation moments—beach walks, great food nearby, and a hotel that made everything easy.

And if you take nothing else from this post, take this:

Embassy Suites is out here quietly saving sports travel—one free omelet at a time.

 
 
 

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