PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida (WMBB) – Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened in 2010 and now 11 years later it finally has its first commercial store, the new Hilton Garden Inn.
The hotel had a soft opening on July 8th.
Three days later there were several delayed flights at the airport and the hotel increased to 100% occupancy.
Located about a mile from Beaches International Airport, the new hotel is definitely geared towards travelers.
The hotel lobby has a flight tracker that passengers can use to monitor their flight status, as well as a free shuttle between the hotel and the airport terminal.
The hotel is also pet friendly and has a generator that can power the entire first floor including the kitchen, computers and guest rooms.
This makes the hotel an oasis in any future storm, according to the hotel’s general manager, Katja Chatfield.
“So we say, and we definitely hope not, if something comes up in this area, we can definitely be the go-to place for the people who come to us, be in our lobby until things settle down and enjoy the fact that we have electricity, “said Chatfield.”
Parker McClellan, Executive Director of ECP, is pleased to have the hotel as part of the airport campus.
“It makes it easier for our passengers and airport staff,” said McClellan. “Now not everyone is very stressed because there is a place for people to go, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”
McClellan said he’s also excited about other developments on the drawing board.
“Since Venture Crossings is an industrial park with future businesses at the airport, we have the opportunity for maintenance and overhaul and other businesses as well as our passengers,” said McClellan. “So proximity to the airport is a huge plus, and I think this was a good St. Joe company choice to do so.”
The St. Joe Company is implementing its Bay Walton Sector Plan
This hotel is the fifth in the St. Joe Company’s hospitality division.
Another six hotels are currently under development or under construction.
