Sugar Sands Inn & Suites

You get what you pay for. Overall, this was an okay experience. You should just be aware of what you’re getting in to. My wife and I were expecting to have a beach front view but instead we were given a lake (or is it a pond) view. Still it wasn’t bad since the beach is literally across the street, no big deal.
The room and furnishings are a little dated and old. The bed and pillow sucked, so bring your own pillow if you want to be comfortable. The wi-​fi was off and on– at least it was there. The room holds on to moisture and the carpet always felt damp, so bring some sandals or house slippers for your feet.
The hot tub has its issues because the heater kept turning off and on, but the staff would come and check on us and asked if it needed to be turned on. The hard part is actually getting them to turn it on.
We were there for the 4^th of July week, and it was raining pretty much the whole time, so when we did leave our room to the beach or the hot tub in the rain, a nice hot tub would’ve been ideal.
No, this isn’t the fanciest place on the beach, but the staff is nice really, and all you need is a roof above your head and a place to shower. This place provides that at a reasonable price.

I booked a room in February 2013 for my brother (who lives 1.5 hours away from me) to stay on Spring Break in March, on my credit card. Due to other circumstances, we were forced to cancel our reservation in the middle of March. I was told it would be 60 days to get my deposit back. This was on my confirmation email, yet I was not told of this when I made the reservation. Not sure why they couldn’t put that deposit back onto my credit card, but whatever. I informed them that although the reservation is in my brother’s name, I placed it and paid for it. I provided my name and address for them to send the check. Fast forward to May 30^th. I call to find out where my refund is. I was told by a man that it should’ve been mailed a few days ago. I confirmed my name and address once again to make sure they had the correct info. I called again, June 10^th. A man told me that the manager, Linda, would call me the next day. I confirmed my name and address once again since I had made the reservation under my brother’s name. Well… Linda called today. Sent the check yesterday (almost 90 days after cancelation of reservation) to my brother an hour and a half away. I informed her that I spoke with someone multiple times giving them my name and address to make sure that the check was mailed to me since I paid with my credit card. Linda stated that if I called and gave that information, there would be a note of it. I explained my multiple conversations I had already had she told me it didn’t matter because I didn’t talk directly to her. Great way to run a business! She stated that since the she mailed a check already (to the wrong person in the wrong city), that she couldn’t issue another to me. The only way I can receive my refund is if the check sent to my brother in another city is returned to her. I don’t live near him and since he’s in high school, he has no checking account to cash it and pay me. I paid the deposit and would like my refund. I’m out $ 108 from three months ago. Buyer beware. Unreliable customer service and horrible management and business practices. For the same money, I recommend staying at the Osprey Motel down the street.

We stayed here one night because I really wanted a beachfront motel and didn’t really want to pay for it. The good part is great! Its hard to beat $ 40 (winter offseason) for a gulf front motel room with a kitchenette (rudimentary cooking tools provided). Open the sliding doors and hear the waves all night, walk down stairs and basically trip onto the beach.
The downside is that you really get what you pay for: the shower water was lukewarm, there was a weird smell to the room and heater (but it aired out once we left the door open), the fridge defroster made an ungodly racket (we unplugged it at night), and relatively scarce parking.
That said, it was a decent price for a reasonably clean room (but please note that I am a bit more tolerant of grime than most) and gulf-​front motel room. I doubt I would want to pay in-​season rates for this place, but then again, I wouldn’t go to panama city in-​season…