Laketown Wharf Resort
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Spacious interior at Laketown wharf |
Article and photos by Kathleen Walls
My assistant/daughter, Veronica, and I visited
Panama City Beach in November (See Off
the Interstate) and had a great experience. We stayed
at the Laketown Wharf Resort in an Egret apartment, one of three larger
vacation rentals, with
a full kitchen–it was so nice not to have to squeeze everything into a
mini-fridge– a great room, two bedrooms, two baths and over 1200 sq ft
of space. We were not there long enough to need it but it was nice
having our own washer and dryer in the unit just in case. There was a
balcony with a gorgeous water view overlooking the gulf.
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Isn't he cute? |
We were on the 17th floor and the view from the walkway in
front of our suite was equally fantastic. Here we could watch the
nightly dancing fountains show. The attention to detail was
unbelievable. For instance, even our dish towels were folded into cute
animal shapes with little removable eyes.
There were all the amenities anyone could want.
My favorite "little extra" was the dancing fountains. Each night at 8
PM, the music began and the fountains danced high into the sky showing
off dazzling colors that changed to fit the music. It's the kind of
thing you can watch for hours.
The place is overflowing with pools. There are five pools, some for
adults only, some family and one for the kiddies. And remember you are
only feet away from the white sand beach and emerald waters of the Gulf
of Mexico. There is a fitness center, two covered parking garages, a
playground and plenty of lake front seating as well as a pier and wharf
surrounding the lake where the fountains are located. We watched the
show one night from a table down here but the view was better from
upstairs. Still, it is a great place to relax with a drink and let the
clear lake waters relax you.
The entire downstairs are going to be boutique shops and dining but in
November, they were remodeling.
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The dancing fountain reflected in the lake |
The location is great as it is just a short distance from almost any
place you want to go; great restaurants, shopping, museums, attractions
and the beach, not to mention more mini-golf courses than you have ever
seen in one city. The Firefly Restaurant ( see Fork in the Road) is about five
minutes away. Should you have a birthday or other occasion calling for a
cake while in Panama City Beach, the very best place to fine a custom
decorated one is at Fatty Patty's. They also serve killer breakfasts and
lunches. (There will be more
about Fatty Patty's in an upcoming issue.)
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Two of the gorgeous pools |
One of the most unique features about Laketown Wharf is that it
is not just a hotel. It offers long term apartment rentals for people
wanting to live in luxury just steps from the beach. It also offers
condo style rentals for several months which is perfect if you are a
snowbird looking to spend the winter somewhere where the only snow-white
expanse you will see is the sugar sand beach.
Laketown Wharf Resort is where I wish I was right now.
For more info:
http://www.laketownwharf.com/
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