Fort Walton Beach/Destin

**SunKneeMarie** · 02-25-2008

My extended family is considering a summer vacation this year again. We'll probably end up back in Port Aransas on the Texas Coast, but I thought I'd check and see if you guys had any info on nice places to stay in the FWB/Destin area of the Florida panhandle, so I can throw that out as an option. Needs to have a great pool and be close to the beach. Condos would be preferred. Trip Advisor lists Destin West Beach and Bay Resort as its #1 for that area. Anyone been there?

bizzokiki · 02-25-2008

I have not been there, but am going the first weekend in May for a wedding, so I'll be watching this thread too for people's comments. We are staying at a Hilton that looks very nice. I'll be sure to let you know how it was when I get back, if you can wait that long.

Ilovebulldogs · 02-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

My extended family is considering a summer vacation this year again. We'll probably end up back in Port Aransas on the Texas Coast, but I thought I'd check and see if you guys had any info on nice places to stay in the FWB/Destin area of the Florida panhandle, so I can throw that out as an option. Needs to have a great pool and be close to the beach. Condos would be preferred. Trip Advisor lists Destin West Beach and Bay Resort as its #1 for that area. Anyone been there?

I go to this area several times a year. Destin used to be a nice little village 20 to 25 years ago. Its pretty crowded now with lots of condos. You can go a few miles east and try Grayton Beach and still drive back to Destin for the restaurants. Watercolor and Seaside are really cool too and much smaller. Seaside has a beach road but no cars are allowed on the streets in town. Everybody uses bikes or golf carts. There is also a ampitheater in the town center that has nightly entertainment. Rosemary Beach is the new place to go for people around here that have got tired of the congestion of Destin. Its the new "Seaside". If going to Destin I would recommend San Destin over Destin. Much newer condos and great shopping. I would pick Destin over Fort Walton.
They are all within 30 minutes of each other. My order would be:
1.Seaside/Watercolor
2.Rosemary Beach
3.Grayton Beach
4.San Destin
5.Destin
6. Fort Walton
Also, the sand is these areas is unbelieveable. These are some of the best beaches in Florida without a doubt.

UGAplaya · 02-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

My extended family is considering a summer vacation this year again. We'll probably end up back in Port Aransas on the Texas Coast, but I thought I'd check and see if you guys had any info on nice places to stay in the FWB/Destin area of the Florida panhandle, so I can throw that out as an option. Needs to have a great pool and be close to the beach. Condos would be preferred. Trip Advisor lists Destin West Beach and Bay Resort as its #1 for that area. Anyone been there?

Hey! I've been to this area twice in the past 3 months. We stayed at a friends house in Santa Rosa Beach and it's absolutely awesome! Fort Walton County as some of the best beaches in the world. If you go, be sure to get out and drive down 30A. This road takes you through Santa Rosa, Greyton Beach, and the famous Water Color and Seaside beaches. But.....my biggest recommendation if you go is ABOVE ALL ELSE, go and have dinner one night at Stinky's Fish Camp. It's the best in the area and I promise you won't be disappointed. Feel free to PM me for more information about the area.

Barbidoll1 · 02-26-2008

I would also suggest Seaside! We vacationed there several years ago and had a fabulous time. The town is where "The Truman Show" was filmed. The houses are all so cute and you can walk everywhere. Seaside can be a little pricey, Seagrove Beach is just a few miles down the road. You are still within driving or cycling distance from Seaside.

Barbidoll1 · 02-26-2008

Another place we have gone that we really like is Orange Beach, Alabama. There are a lot of fun thing to do and the beaches are really nice (not as nice as Playa though!).
Have had a lot of fun at places like the Florabama and LuLu's...

Tesla 573 · 02-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbidoll1

Another place we have gone that we really like is Orange Beach, Alabama. There are a lot of fun thing to do and the beaches are really nice (not as nice as Playa though!).
Have had a lot of fun at places like the Florabama and LuLu's...

This is in my backyard!
Char I'd love to be your tour guide to this part of the world....there are many beautiful condos here and it's a lot closer to you than Destin.

Here's a beautiful condo in Orange Beach.Photos: Gulf Shores Beach House Rentals condo - Architectural Digest Luxury, Ground Floor, Oceanfront, Corner, Awesome Views!

okie · 02-26-2008

I highly recommend the El Matador in Fort Walton Beach. It is on the end of the island and has the best beach in that area. I have stayed here yearly since 1977,

jflattracker · 02-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesla 573

[/b]

This is in my backyard!
Char I'd love to be your tour guide to this part of the world....there are many beautiful condos here and it's a lot closer to you than Destin.

Here's a beautiful condo in Orange Beach.Photos: Gulf Shores Beach House Rentals condo - Architectural Digest Luxury, Ground Floor, Oceanfront, Corner, Awesome Views!

She is the best tour guide ever!

The beach is wonderful and the water is beautiful! And you can go to LuLu's and watch boats and barges go by while you eat!

bizzokiki · 04-09-2008

Just bumping this back up to see if anyone has any more replys about the Destin area. I'm staying at the Hilton Sandestin at the end of the month for a wedding. Any other restaurants or places in the area that are must sees?

horizon200 · 04-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizzokiki

Just bumping this back up to see if anyone has any more replys about the Destin area. I'm staying at the Hilton Sandestin at the end of the month for a wedding. Any other restaurants or places in the area that are must sees?

AJ's in Destin...sea side of Rt98 about a half mile -a mile after you come across the bridge from Okaloosa Island!

Bonefish Grill in Destin in the commons shopping center (a bit pricey)

O'Charley's Just West of AJ's on the opposite side of 98.

AJ's can get pretty crazy...it's a bar and restaruant combo...great place though...real good Mahi Mahi sandwich!

My son used to have a condo at The Pelican Beach Resort in Destin...he now lives in Ft Walton.

UGAplaya · 04-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizzokiki

Just bumping this back up to see if anyone has any more replys about the Destin area. I'm staying at the Hilton Sandestin at the end of the month for a wedding. Any other restaurants or places in the area that are must sees?

AJ's is good as mentioned below. Sit on the top deck and have a few drinks at sunset. But if you get the chance, take 98 to 30A (Santa Rosa Beach) which is about 5-10 min from Sandestin and try a new resturant called Stinky's. You won't be disappointed. Stinkys Fish Camp :: Seafood and Wine Bar in Santa Rosa Beach

bizzokiki · 04-10-2008

Thanks, I will definitely make note of these and hopefully get a chance to go. I'm there for a wedding so most of the days will be spent at the hotel doing wedding stuff, but wanna get outta there for a day and see what else the area has to offer.

rackburt · 04-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizzokiki

Just bumping this back up to see if anyone has any more replys about the Destin area. I'm staying at the Hilton Sandestin at the end of the month for a wedding. Any other restaurants or places in the area that are must sees?

I stayed at the Hilton Sandestin years ago and if I remember correctly; the food in the restaurants on site was quite good! My niece was married in Destin 2 years ago and we had a great time and the wedding was beautiful!
Also, the Santa Rosa/Grayton area is great for more isolated beaches. My thoughts about Destin are similar to those of Cancun! Santa Rosa is literally minutes from Destin so you can go for the malls, dining, entertainment if you want but I don't care for the "high rise" buildings and crowded beaches!

pslucky · 04-10-2008

Rackburt is 100% correct with the Cancun- Destin analogy. I grew up in Desitn/ Ft. Walton Beach and worked at AJs Seafood and Oyster Bar for almost 10 years. Destin is so super busy and crowded from Spring Break to Labor Day, as has been said. One thing is for sure, the sand is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It's sugar white, and if you didn't know it was sand you could mistake it for snow.

02-25-2008	#1 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 26,847	Fort Walton Beach/Destin My extended family is considering a summer vacation this year again. We'll probably end up back in Port Aransas on the Texas Coast, but I thought I'd check and see if you guys had any info on nice places to stay in the FWB/Destin area of the Florida panhandle, so I can throw that out as an option. Needs to have a great pool and be close to the beach. Condos would be preferred. Trip Advisor lists Destin West Beach and Bay Resort as its #1 for that area. Anyone been there?

04-09-2008	#10 (permalink)
bizzokiki reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 1,154	Sandestin Just bumping this back up to see if anyone has any more replys about the Destin area. I'm staying at the Hilton Sandestin at the end of the month for a wedding. Any other restaurants or places in the area that are must sees?

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02-25-2008	#2 (permalink)
bizzokiki reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 1,154	I have not been there, but am going the first weekend in May for a wedding, so I'll be watching this thread too for people's comments. We are staying at a Hilton that looks very nice. I'll be sure to let you know how it was when I get back, if you can wait that long.

02-26-2008	#5 (permalink)
Barbidoll1 way into it Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis Posts: 218	I would also suggest Seaside! We vacationed there several years ago and had a fabulous time. The town is where "The Truman Show" was filmed. The houses are all so cute and you can walk everywhere. Seaside can be a little pricey, Seagrove Beach is just a few miles down the road. You are still within driving or cycling distance from Seaside.

02-26-2008	#6 (permalink)
Barbidoll1 way into it Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis Posts: 218	Another place we have gone that we really like is Orange Beach, Alabama. There are a lot of fun thing to do and the beaches are really nice (not as nice as Playa though!). Have had a lot of fun at places like the Florabama and LuLu's...

02-26-2008	#8 (permalink)
okie sandflea Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	I highly recommend the El Matador in Fort Walton Beach. It is on the end of the island and has the best beach in that area. I have stayed here yearly since 1977,

04-10-2008	#13 (permalink)
bizzokiki reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 1,154	Thanks, I will definitely make note of these and hopefully get a chance to go. I'm there for a wedding so most of the days will be spent at the hotel doing wedding stuff, but wanna get outta there for a day and see what else the area has to offer.

04-10-2008	#15 (permalink)
pslucky way into it Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 184	Rackburt is 100% correct with the Cancun- Destin analogy. I grew up in Desitn/ Ft. Walton Beach and worked at AJs Seafood and Oyster Bar for almost 10 years. Destin is so super busy and crowded from Spring Break to Labor Day, as has been said. One thing is for sure, the sand is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It's sugar white, and if you didn't know it was sand you could mistake it for snow.

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