Charlene Elizabeth

We stopped at Café de Pearl while visiting Pier Park, and it was a really great experience.

The food was very good—this was my first time trying a crêpe, and I absolutely loved it. It was a great introduction, and I would definitely order it again.

What stood out the most was how accommodating they were with our dogs. They had no issue with us bringing them, and the staff were very kind and even complimented them, which made us feel very welcome.

Overall, it was a relaxed and enjoyable stop during our visit to Pier Park. I would definitely recommend it, especially for anyone visiting with pets.

Overall rating: 8/10

I visited the dog beach at Pier Park with my dogs, and overall it was a really nice experience.

It wasn’t overly crowded, which made it much more relaxing. I had read reviews mentioning a lot of off-leash dogs, but during my visit I only saw one—and that dog was very well-behaved, so it wasn’t an issue.

My dogs absolutely loved being out in the sand and sun. They weren’t too interested in the water (the waves were a bit much for my smaller dogs), but they still had a great time overall.

The beach itself was fairly clean. I didn’t notice much trash, just the occasional dog waste in certain areas, mainly along the walkway and a little in the sand. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it’s something that could definitely be improved.

One thing to be aware of is the transition from the concrete area down to the beach—it’s a bit of a drop, and I almost tripped. It would be helpful if there were a smoother or more clearly marked transition there.

Crossing the street to access the beach was a bit of a challenge as well, especially since one of the crosswalk signals wasn’t working at the time (although it looked like it was actively being repaired).

Overall, it was a good experience, and I would visit again. It’s a great spot for dogs to enjoy the beach, just with a few small things that could be improved.

Overall rating: 8/10

I visited Pier Park during my trip mainly because it’s known to be dog-friendly, and overall it was a good experience.

Everyone we passed was incredibly kind and welcoming toward our dogs, which made the visit feel very comfortable and enjoyable. That was definitely a highlight.

However, since it was my first time there, I wasn’t very familiar with which stores were dog-friendly and which weren’t. It would have been helpful to have clearer signage or guidance for pet owners.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how spread out everything is. While it looks walkable, it’s actually easier in many cases to drive between different areas rather than walk the entire time. That caught me off guard a bit.

We didn’t stay too long because of that, but overall it was still a pleasant visit, especially for pet owners. I’d definitely come back more prepared next time.

Overall rating: 8/10

The Good Dog Boutique is a beautifully curated destination for pet owners who appreciate a high-end shopping experience. From the moment you walk in, the thoughtful layout and organization make it easy to browse their selection without feeling overwhelmed. It is clearly a space designed with both style and functionality in mind.
What truly sets this boutique apart, however, is the exceptional hospitality. The staff is incredibly welcoming; during our visit, the sales associate went out of her way to offer my dog sample treats, which was such a kind and personal touch. It’s rare to find a retail environment that feels that genuinely "pet-friendly."
While the atmosphere is charming and the service is top-tier, it is worth noting that the boutique carries a premium price tag. Most items are on the pricier side ($$$), so it is definitely more of a "splurge" spot than a place for everyday basics.
Verdict: If you are looking for a high-quality, organized shopping environment and don't mind spending a bit extra for unique items and sweet service, The Good Dog Boutique is well worth a visit.

I visited Pineapple Willy’s on a Tuesday evening while on vacation, and while I expected it to be busy, the overall experience was a bit frustrating.

About an hour before arriving, I joined the waitlist for a 6:00 PM dinner and was quoted a seating time between 7:15–7:45 PM. We arrived around 7:00 PM, but it took about 20–25 minutes just to find parking, as there wasn’t much direction or organization for guests arriving. Once we got inside, it was extremely crowded. There was very limited seating while waiting—only a couple of benches—so most people were left standing in walkways while staff carried food through the area.

We weren’t seated until around 7:40 PM. By that point, the long wait had become exhausting, especially since we had our two dogs with us. We took breaks to walk them, but they were understandably restless after waiting so long.

Once seated, we ordered immediately, and the food came out fairly quickly, which was a plus. Our server was kind and polite, but she didn’t acknowledge our dogs at all. Since this is known as a dog-friendly spot, it was disappointing that we weren’t offered something like the Pineapple Willy’s bucket of water for them.

As for the food:
• The Cajun shrimp pasta was good overall (about a 7/10), but it could have used more sauce, and the portion of shrimp was small.
• The fried shrimp platter (4/10) was very plain—no real seasoning on the shrimp or the corn, and no butter provided.
• The garlic toast had the most flavor out of everything.
• The piña colada was good, just a bit on the sweet side.

The biggest downside was how crowded the dining area felt. We were seated at a large table meant for bigger groups, even though there were only two of us (plus our dogs in a stroller), and the space still felt very cramped—like being packed in tightly with other guests.

Overall, while the food was decent and service was friendly, the long wait, overcrowding, and lack of attention to the dog-friendly experience made it less enjoyable. I might consider takeout in the future, but I would not choose to dine in again.

I recently stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Panama City Beach and unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing.When I first arrived, the front desk associate was unfriendly and unwelcoming. There was no greeting—just a blunt request for my name and confirmation number. When I mentioned I had two dogs (which the hotel allows), her attitude noticeably shifted and felt judgmental. What stood out even more was that she was much friendlier and more welcoming to other guests right after me, which made the interaction feel even more uncomfortable.

Check-in was also delayed. Although I arrived at the standard check-in time of 3:00 PM, I did not receive my room until after 4:00 PM due to housekeeping not being finished. Unfortunately, the condition of the room was unacceptable. The floors were visibly dirty and had not been properly swept. The bathtub was filthy—even after requesting it be cleaned again, it was still dirty, as I could wipe visible grime off with a paper towel. The bed linens, including the sheets and pillowcases, appeared unclean, and there was a sticky substance on the headboard. The chair in the room had deep stains, and there was pet hair inside the refrigerator. Sand was also present on the TV stand area.

Additionally, the blow dryer was damaged (the button appeared melted) and did not work until it was replaced. The towels provided were also dirty and had to be exchanged. There were several other issues during the stay: The refrigerator was not cold enough to safely store food. The air conditioning unit was extremely loud and sounded like it was malfunctioning. The laundry room was out of order. The juice machine at breakfast was broken.

One positive note: the housekeeping staff who assisted us were kind and helpful, and I appreciated that the TV allowed HDMI access for streaming devices. And that we were able to get a room with vinyl flooring. Overall, I expected much better cleanliness and customer service, especially from a Wyndham property. This stay did not meet basic standards, and I would not choose this location again.