Hey guys,

I'm thinking about coming down to PCB for my first Spring Break. I've read a lot of good stuff on here, but still have a few questions.

1.) For those that have stayed at Top of the Gulf, how is the party atmosphere/security there? I can't afford to stay at the Boardwalk or The Summit, nor am I 25.

2.) If I don't stay there, I'm probably going to stay at The Chateau since it's dirt cheap. How far of a walk is it from there to the main clubs, and would it still be worth it?

3.) Probably a stupid question.. but I'm coming with a couple buddies that are 20, is it easy to buy drinks for minors or will they most definitely get caught?

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll have more. Thanks!

1).Its a much more family freindly hotel that but look at the location its right next to LA vela so all the parties are at the super clubs and the beach club infront as far as im aware though top of the gulf is still over 25 but to get around this book VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner possibly try this for the 2 party hotels as the prices direct from owners are way way cheaper than the hotel and travel companies.

2.) The Chateau is quite far down front beach road so probably not walking distance from superclubs but its right next to harpoon harrys , lattitudes and hooters etc so still stuff in the area and the hotel itself has a good party atmosphere.

3.) There meant to be pretty strict down there with ID and they stick on a under 21 wristband and enforce it pretty strong some bars just use stamps which has been said can be licked then stamped onto anouther person. its always a risk though.

Thanks man... I definitely want to be within a decent walking distance... If I can't find an owner that will rent to me, do you know of any cheap hotels/motels around that area or relatively close?

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about coming down to PCB for my first Spring Break. I've read a lot of good stuff on here, but still have a few questions.
.... 4 words::: YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!!

1.) For those that have stayed at Top of the Gulf, how is the party atmosphere/security there? I can't afford to stay at the Boardwalk or The Summit, nor am I 25.

...I have never stayed there. I have heard tho that the security is strict, and they are rude there. It is in walking distance to some great spots tho...

2.) If I don't stay there, I'm probably going to stay at The Chateau since it's dirt cheap. How far of a walk is it from there to the main clubs, and would it still be worth it?

.... The Chateau is a bit crazy haha. I have heard it gets pretty fun tho. Ummm I know my friends there got busted for drugs and alcohol but they are idiots LMAO. It is on the beach BUT its not near Club La vila. However, you can bum a ride or ride in the party bus (not sure what its really called). Honestly I think the cheaper hotels are better for a thing like this. We NEVER stay in our hotel. We may crash there for a few hours and then we are back to the partying. The Chateau is popular even if it aint classy. And it is on the Main strip so you will have lots of fun!...

3.) Probably a stupid question.. but I'm coming with a couple buddies that are 20, is it easy to buy drinks for minors or will they most definitely get caught?

...Ummm at the clubs? Be careful! They can be dick heads in there. As for out in town, honestly I always walked around with alcohol, and had moonshine in my truck. and got pulled over. Never got caught. *knock on wood* so I dont jenx myslef this year...

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll have more. Thanks!
Hope that helps some

We stayed at the top of the gulf last year and the four yearss before that at the boardwalk. We are prolly gonna stay there again this year. Its cheap as hell, the only drawback is it didnt have a balcony but we were never in the room anyways. It wasnt as crazy as the other party hotels but there were still parties going on....Security was no problem

And I know they wont hesitate to throw your *** out of spinnaker and la vela for underage drinking....

Solid... I found a couple people that will rent there and it's really cheap so that's probably where I'll be. For you guys that have been down there, how important is a party hotel? Like you said, I don't plan on spending much time in there and it's right by the Boardwalk. I guess a place like that would be better for meeting more people but I'm interested to hear the thoughts of those that are more experienced.

Location for me is a bigger factor like theres party hotels like chateau and somewhat holiday inn which in there ownright are huge party places but miles away from the superclubs and the stages down on the beach infront of LA vela etc so top of te gulf is perfect location as the party is on the beach not the hotel

You can't go wrong with the Chateau man. I promise you that.

But then again, regardless of what ANYONE says, and even with all the hype of the "super club" area or w/e it is you guys call it now days, you can stay ANYWHERE on the beach and have the same "time of your life". Its just as much fun down by the Fontainebleau and the Sharky's area as it is down by the Boardwalk, etc...

Boardwalk is nice but i think the condos can be quiet... its a family resort after all. What makes it shine is its location. The hotel rooms though crazier because you only need to be 18 to get rooms. but youre right, most people are only in the rooms to warm up and cool down-- everyone's out on the beach during the day and at the clubs at night!

Well lets see... The years I have been down there I have stayed at one near the Summit ( not sure what it was called), The edgewater, The Holiday Inn sunspree, Some crappy hotel, one other but I cnat remember it. Honestly I dont care for a party hotel. I did have fun at the Holiday Inn sunspree cause it was a big party hotel. But there is a party everywhere! Not only in the hotels. Its just crazy every where you go. We party on the strip, the beach, clubs, backroads, hotels, just anywhere. And some big party hotels you can get in, or at least us girls didnt have a problem getting in. Some places are REALLY strict some could give two Sh*ts. So my advice is a party hotel is fun, but if your like me you wont even be in there most the time, so to me its just a waste to stay at a expensive hotel.

Country girl said it perfectly..."A party hotel is fun, but if youre like me you wont even be in there most of the time and its a waste of money to stay at an expensive hotel".....Couldnt agree more, just stay in a cheap place right next to the party places...Ex.....Top of the gulf

I may be biased but I've been to Panama twice (09 will be my 3rd time) and I love the Sunspree. Sure its not by all the clubs and whatnot, but its a freakin 5 min cab ride. Nothing to complain about. There's always a party on the beach right in front because there's a stage and a DJ, usually a bunch of vendors/company reps hang out in that area and you get tons of free stuff and games to play. The pool is AMAZING, there are always tons of people in the pool.

Security is somewhat crazy but honestly people sneak in all the time and i've never heard of any problems. It has 2 hot tubs and the rooms are nice. I always stay there, the crowd is awesome and the girls are always hot there. Would it be better if it were down closer to The Boardwalk and whatnot...sure but the hotel is awesome on it's own. Traffic isnt so bad in that part of the strip, still packed but not 1mph packed.

Also, it has its own party store, so you never have to travel far for a beer, and the midnight buffet is amazing as well. It's the only place i've stayed. Some friends stayed at the boardwalk 3 years ago and said it was terrible. Cheap as hell but nothing to really offer. The pool was dead and no hot tub. If thats not important then go there but they all love the Sunspree better.

When you first get there they come off as anal...but once you party on through the week it's not bad whatsoever. You have to have a bracelet pass to get in/out and DO NOT LOSE IT... but no one ever minds it and like I said some friends of mine snuck in plenty of times with no problems. Just pull the old bait and switch manuever and you're good. Distract a guard by talking to them and let your friends waltz right on in. The security thing is overplayed IMHO, like I said they try and scare you when you check in...but they are harmless and a lot of fun to party with. We had the whole pool chanting "show your t*t's to EVERY girl and they would come out on the balcony and flash us...and the guards were loving it. They were egging us on to keep doing it lmao.

So dont worry about staying there. Like I said if you dont expect a lot from your SB hotel then don't bother...go somewhere cheap but, if you're like me and like quality when you spend $$$, goto the Sunspree. If I had a chance to stay at the boardwalk and pay $100 less...or stay at the sunspree I would easily goto the sunspree.

(no I dont work for them lmao)

^^ if you get caught with unregistered guests in your room you get evicted immediately. i know because it happened to me. and i saw it happen to someone at summit as well.

will the underage people get caught drinking? more than likely. does it stop people from drinking? nope. i say this every year. But the problem with let's say...a 19 year old getting drunk in public is that a 19 year old...no matter HOW mature he or she may be...turns into a 19 year old again after they get a few drinks in their system. Then they bring attention to themselves, and their group. Then they get busted. That's how I've always seen it go down.

Yep...