Spark by Hilton Panama City Beach

Review Body: I stayed one night at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Panama City Beach, and it was a terrible experience. The air conditioner in our room wasn’t working at all, and when I opened the unit to check it, it was completely clogged with dirt and dust. It was disgusting and clearly hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. The room was hot and uncomfortable, and when I told the front desk, they admitted they had no fix and no available rooms—only a downgrade. When I asked for a refund or any kind of help, I was told, "You can go ahead and open a dispute." That’s the level of customer service I received. I paid $137 for a room with basic comfort, and instead I was left sweating in a room with filthy equipment and no solution. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone who values cleanliness, safety, or customer care.

We had a two night stay in a one bedroom suite. The room was clean, nice and well laid-out. Okay, if you look close you can find a few dings and paint chips; the room did have a lived-in look, but in very good way. The bed was comfortable, though maybe a touch firm for my old bones. The TV, air conditioning, fridge, microwave and room accessories all worked well. Staff were all friendly and helpful. Breakfast was average, but somewhat limited hotel fare. Breakfast area seating is adequate. The desk chair was not very good. The seat would not stay up; it kept sinking back down. I couldn’t lean back on the chair without risk of falling. A really annoying thing was that the living area light and bedroom light are on the same switch. I went to bed early, so my wife had to sit in the dark in the other room with only the desk lamp. I am giving a ‘4’ rating for these minor flaws and lack of EV charging, but overall I think this is a very good hotel.

Checked out and was told I would receive $50 back due to this was charged when checking in. Returned home and was charged $250 and $50. Called to ask why. Kept getting put on long holds. Finally spoke to Charlie who said there is not a manager at this time and he was the assistant manager. He said a smoke detector went off at 12am in my room which meant it picked up smoke in the room or the balcony. I was asleep at 12am and checked out around 2:30 am. No one smoked in my room or my balcony. All rules were followed. He said he was not willing to do anything to help. I am so upset to be accused of doing something I DID NOT DO! After choosing Radisson to spend $2000 I am being fraudulently charged $300 and NEVER smoked, never broke a rule, and left my room in better shape than it was when I arrived. What a horrible way to treat a family who obeyed every single rule. He said a detector went off and I asked why I was not notified. He said he did not know. He never even checked the equipment to see why it malfunctioned only accused me of being a liar. I am beyond disappointment and extremely upset to be degraded this way after being a patron of this establishment.

The stay is great! Very clean with awesome prices! Staff is friendly and very helpful! I loved the pool and workout area. They serve you breakfast early in the morning and it is awesome! Definitely booking again soon

WARNING: This hotel requires and will photocopy your drivers license. They do not disclose this in their policies when booking your room nor do they inform you of this when checking in. I do not object to showing my identification when checking in but having been a victim of identity theft in the past I do not hand over my drivers license to a hotel without letting it get out of my sight. When the front desk attendant attempted to make a photocopy of my drivers license without my approval, I objected. I was then informed that it was mandatory to make a photocopy in order to stay there and she would have to get approval, from her manager, in order not to. She called her manager and was told it was indeed mandatory. She could not inform me of their security measures of the photocopy or how long it would be on file. I have been a Choice Privileges member over thirty years, have stayed at their fine hotels hundreds of nights and have never been refused a stay due to this type of policy. I called Choice hotels customer service and to their benefit, they tried to convince the Country Inn hotel, who is under their chain, to let me stay without a photocopy to no avail. Choice hotels, also to their benefit, was able to give me a refund as the first night was non-cancellable by that time, having booked weeks in advance on my credit card. Lucky for me, I was able to book a four night stay at the Holiday Inn Resort down the street which at the time had vacancies and did not have the same policy of photocopying my drivers license. Beware.

My trip was extremely relaxing and fun. There was so much to do and our location was the best. My overall experience was so delightful the my grandson wanted to stay longer, but time was so precious with family. We had a bawl.