Name: Sterling Reef Hotel
Address: 12011 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Panama City Beach, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, United States of America
Rating: 7

Air conditioning

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Express check-in

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Non-smoking rooms

Smoke Detector

Hairdryer

Rooms

Laundry

Telephone

Services and amenities

Coffee/tea for guests

Kitchen

Kitchenette

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet access

Internet

English

Languages Spoken

Barbecue grill(s)

Hiking

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Outdoor pool

Pool and beach

Fitness facilities

Sports

Pets allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Panama City Beaches

Edgewater Gulf Beach

Wayside Shopping Center

Golf Course at Edgewater

Rockit Lanes

Wilders World

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

Sterling Reef Hotel

Panama City Beach

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

We rented a 1st floor (really 4th floor) unit from a private owner on Vrbo, not vacasa. The unit was nice and the owner was very communicative. Unfortunately the pool was closed for ‘maintenance’. The whole time we were there. And no maintenance took place while we were there. The office said there was work being done on the wall to ensure nothing fell off it, but no one did any work while we were there. The pool looked fine, I think they closed it so they wouldn’t have to deal with spring breakers. We chose this place because it had a heated pool very close by, so this was a huge disappointment. Also the balconies on floor 1 are huge and partially exposed to balconies above, so several times throughout our stay beer cans, cigarette butts, and unknown liquids were thrown on our balcony. This design is not great, especially when it’s spring break and you have young kids. Bottom line is that while the room itself was great,  one of the major amenities listed was unusable (for no reason) and people were shotgunning beers and throwing them on our balcony. Will not repeat.

Pool closed for no reason. Beer cans, cigarette butts, and mystery liquids thrown on balcony repeatedly.

Where do I start? The management is with Vacasa and as poorly managed as any property I have ever visited. Upon check in I was told by the desk clerk the washing machine was broken. Since it was 7 of us that was a major set back but I had plenty of clothes so I could manage but other family members didn't pack for set backs so it was a problem for them. I was there at about 3:00 pm so she the clerk said the condo was cleaned but I would receive an email when the final inspection was over. I never received such email or text. I ask while I waited If I could walk out to the beach I had my service animal with me that was approved by the Maxet office at least 3 weeks prior to my arrival but as I walked passed the office to go to the gate to the beach the onsite manager (Vacasa) stating that my dog was not approved and he would not be allowed on that property. I told the man the Maxet office did approve my dog. He told me he had spoke to the Maxet office and they had not approve my service animal. First of all it is against the law for my dog to be denied to be with me due to my medical condition. Second I followed the rules of Maxet had my doctor answer their questions and overnighted this form back to their office 3 to 4 weeks prior to my arrival. I have over 10,000. dollars in training for this animal and in the purchase price of the animal. He is certified by and through ADA. He is not an emotional stress dog .He is a working animal for my medical condition. I got very up set that I drove 600 miles to be denied an animal that was approved 3 weeks prior. After a big argument from the Vacasa manager I was left with a decision to either leave the property or be removed by eviction and a police to be called.I am not worried about the police because I had done nothing to break the law but my family didn't want to try find another condo with a service animal in a short notice.  In a about 5 minutes the manager was calling my phone again saying I am sorry your dog is approved after chewing me out threating to call the police this man called me to tell me that the Maxet office didn't have it right the first time but 5 or 10 minutes later they had it right. I said you should of had your heads together before you called me mister. This started another argument this manager had about as much business being a manager as I would of becoming an astronaut. I know nothing about becoming an astronaut. I then went to my room after this man intentionally try to run my vacation which he done an outstanding job. I tried  to get this man to speak with me directly instead he talked his crap hiding in an office. In Tennessee we call this type person a coward with no backbone. I tried to make the best of this vacation but we had more issues I pay for 1407 because it was advertised as having 2 king beds 2 bunk beds and a sofa sleeper. There was no sofa in this condo I went down to the front desk to ask where my mother in law was to sleep on, the manager was gone the desk clerk was as nice as she could be, she even said the manager is not a people person. My mother in law had to sleep on a recliner and the next day some lady brought a blow up mattress . the condo is not as advertised saying it will sleep 8 people there were 7 of us and the first night it didn't sleep 7 people. There was not even a oven in this unit we was going to bake a spiral ham but no oven. The manager said he was going to refund me some money that also was a lie. Never again Vacasa never again.

Bad manager at a bad condo.

Decided to take the wife to the beach for our anniversary first time in 11yrs we had a getaway without kids. Paid $1000 for a long weekend you would think that’s enough for a little privacy but I was wrong with in first twenty minutes of walking in we sit down on balcony next thing I know there is a sterling reef employee standing on our balcony with us telling me they have pics of me smoking on the balcony and if I do it again I will be evicted. Sorry been in a car for 8 hrs that I wasn’t aloud to smoke in. Ok I won’t smoke on the balcony but the thing I have a problem with is they entered my locked condo unannounced to me or my wife. And on top of that there taking pics of us on the balcony from who knows where no visible cameras that I could find anywhere. Did I mention we were on the 7th floor which is above the 3 story parking garage. Made for an un easy anniversary weekend filling like your constantly being watched. On top of all that there was mold on most of the A/C vents, and the thermostat was locked so you couldn’t set it below 72. Floors turn your feet black if you go barefoot in the condo, beds had sand in the sheets, there were old contact lenses stuck to the patio table. Needless to say it has went way down hill since vacasa started managing this facility as for me and mine we will never stay here or any other vacasa rental again. Sterling Reef PCB room 707.

Never again

I am an active guest in the Penthouse of Panama City Sterling Reef, upon arrival, the place had a damp smell…..but I was here to enjoy my long weekend…..I let it go….at the end of the day, I attempted to relax and watch TV in the master bedroom…..there was no power to the TV or cable….I called…..it was after hours so no one could help…..I was treated like an idiot by the “kid” on the call in line…..telling me to press the power buttons on the device an remotes…..they advised someone could come out the next day at 2 pm…..I also noted the ceiling fan was VERY loud and would not be able to sleep with it on…..ohhh,, did I mention, I rented the PENTHOUSE??…no note or communication was made from the 2 pm visit…..upon returning after, I checked…..still not working…..I made a third and fourth call….the admitted there was an issue…..but could not fix…..someone would interrupt my weekend on Saturday morning, not time was specified……I also noted to the there was an active water noise in the sink not, despite no use of sink or dishwasher yet…..they said they would note it……it was easy to see there were electrical issues at the property, after pushing back the unit under the tv…..the wall had been hacked into and not properly wired…..
I have asked for communication and compensation……nothing…..I would avoid this entire property……if this is the penthouse……we’ll…..I’d hate to know what issues are below

Avoid the Penthouse….

This condo was really nice.  Was beautifully decorated, spacious, great balcony.  The kitchen was open but a little tight.  We will definitely stay there again.  The weather was very cool so it caused us to stay inside; the unit was so nice that we didn't mind staying indoors!!!  

Unit 1105

Wish I was still back there. We just returned from three nights at the sterling reef. I totally recommend it. We stayed at 1401 which is a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment including a kitchen and a living room with sofa bed. Two rooms had king size beds and the third room had two sets of bunk beds. You could easily had two couples each in their own bedrooms and 4 kids in the bunk beds. Plus someone else in the sofa bed. The views were amazing from the nice size balcony. The breeze and the sound of the ocean were very enjoyable. The refrigerator was brand new still with some plastic wrapping. Microwave and stove/oven. Pretty much everything you needed to cook and serve. And cook we did a lot. A toaster was noticeably absent. I see some folks commented about junk behind the fridge? I don’t get that. I mean who checks behind the fridge while on vacation? Okay they did. We saw no roaches anywhere alive or dead. Also saw some comments about the floors being dirty. I checked on arrival and the floors were clean. However by the next day they floors were dirty…because OF US and the wind bringing in dirt and sand and whatever. The apartment was nicely decorated with fresh paint. As far as checking in we just followed the instructions on the email and used the entry code provided. The parking pass and wrist bands were on the kitchen counter as expected. As far as check out two things. Check is by 10 am. The cleaning lady was waiting outside by 9 am which I guess is their way of being proactive. One area for improvement is that the code for the door shut off at 9 am. Luckily there was someone still inside otherwise I would have gotten locked out. Otherwise a very enjoyable and relaxing break.

Great relaxing vacation

I stayed in 702 and it was disappointing to say the least. Unit needs lots of work and was dirty. The excuse I was given locally was it was end of season and the owner would probably fix everything by next season(smh)

Unit 702 very dirty and needed many repairs.

I’m a very busy pastor who very rarely gets away for rest. Me and my wife had reservations made by our church family.  On our drive down they call and say our reservation is no longer available so they wanted to accommodate us but yet it would be two miles inland and away from the beach without the pool on beach side.  I was thankful for the attempt but beachside is beachside. We love to people watch and walk the beach.  Disappointed that this reservation was in place for over two weeks and then they busted us down to the bay with no beach. And they had no concern in doing so.  So I guess it’s just our loss and they lose our future business.   I sure looked forward to enjoying a great time in a great place.

Disappointed

After a week at Disney, we wanted a place to relax and just soak in the sun (in a more pleasant way than standing in line) so made the drive to Panama City and sterling reef. 

Sterling reef was everything we wanted after a hectic week in too-small confines. 3 bedrooms - 2 of which face the beach and have direct balcony access - 3 bath. Comfortable. Relaxing. I appreciated they took the time to label what each set of light switches control, what’s in each of the drawers. It really simplified settling in. 

The condo was wonderful. 

The balcony with its view of the beach even better. 

And the short ride down the elevator to get to the pool and beach best of all. 

I’d always heard Panama City beaches were loud, crowded, and generally not as nice as some of the quieter ones we normally visit. But the beach, this week at least, was great. There were lots of people using the beach since the pier and public parking are close by, but it wasn’t crowded - everyone was nice, no one was crowding anyone else out. There weren’t large, out-of-control parties. There were small groups of families and friends having fun. Seemed like what a beach should be. 

There are restaurants and shops within walking distance. Pleasant places to stroll along the beach or roadway. 

The price for the condo was more than reasonable. 

This seemed to me to be a great value, a great place to relax. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Loved everything about this place

We booked unit 206 through VRBO.  The property management company was great to work with.  The condo unit was very nice with new appliances,  new flooring and very comfortable beds, to include the sofa bed.  The view was fantastic!  We loved the beach view, access was easy, and family had a great time.  The pool was also refreshing.  My daughter had a blast..  The one negative, and it is a deal killer for future visits, is the elevators.  They might as well not exist.  We waited over 30 minutes when we first arrived for an elevator that was full, so we had to keep waitng.  Finally, we tracked up 6 flights of stairs and made multiple trips to get our belongings into the condo.  This was totally unacceptable for a multistory upscale condo!  They only have two elevators and it appears that only one works per day.  Will NEVER stay at Sterling Reef again because of this.  My advice to the condo owners:  get the elevators working well or add additional elevators. Your investment depends on it!

Sterling Reef Hotel

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