Happenings

Panama City Beach

• he 520-suite Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort (850.235.4044; www.edgewaterbeachresort.com) is undergoing a $250,000 facelift to upgrade soft goods in its 32,000-square-foot Edgewater Conference Center, constructed in 2000. The Edgewater is part of the Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, which also includes the Majestic Beach Resort and the Emerald Beach Resort, among others.
  
  
• The Bay Point Marriott Resort (850.236.6000; www.marriottbaypoint.com) is the only resort in Panama City to offer transportation to nearby Shell Island, where guests enjoy pristine stretches of white sand and abundant trees while viewing one of the world’s largest concentrations of bottle-nosed dolphins. The complimentary 20-minute trip, offered seasonally after March, is aboard the 60-passenger Bay Point Lady.

• All 26 miles comprising the Beaches of South Walton (850.267.1216; www.beachesofsouthwalton.com) have been awarded the Blue Wave Environmental Certification by the Clean Beaches Council for the eighth year in a row.

• Unveiled last spring across from the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island, Waterscape (800.336.4853; www.waterscapecondos.com) boasts its own waterpark and a 10,000-square-foot amenities courtyard featuring a pavilion for gatherings.

• The Hotel Indigo (877.8.INDIGO; www.hotelindigo.com) recently broke ground in Pensacola Beach. Scheduled to open in spring 2010, the 162-room boutique property will feature a rooftop swimming pool and 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
  
  
• The Best Western (800.780.7234; www.bestwestern.com) is slated to open in Pensacola Beach in spring 2010. The property will feature 105 Gulf-front rooms with balconies, a swimming pool, several lounges, a fitness center, a breakfast area and a business center.
  
  
• The 45-room, retro-style Sole Inn and Suites (850.470.9298; www.soleinnandsuites.com) recently opened on Palafox Street in the heart of downtown Pensacola.
  
  
• Pensacola Regional Airport (850.436.5000; www.flypensacola.com) is undergoing a major expansion to improve its rental car service facility and baggage-screening system, and expand its ticketing area, security checkpoint, shops and restaurants. A shuttle parking area also is planned. Some improvements will be completed by spring 2009.