Destin,FL beachfront condo rental?

[Minniedap]

We are planning on vacationing in the Destin area this summer. We would like a 3 bedroom condo with good views of the gulf. A pool on property and beach access is also important. Can anyone give us an idea of where to stay. If you had a bad experience anywhere, I would also appreciate hearing about that.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Is budget a factor at all?
We love the Destin Area!II
We have often stayed outside of Destin, at the Sandestin Area.
I would recommend you look into Sandestin, But not in HIGH SEASON.
Shoulder to shoulder, 3-4 rows deep, on the beach during high season.
I would request Beachfront II for the beachfront and views. But, they do not guarantee specific building request. You would be guaranteed the BeachFRONT condo.
Westwinds is also Beachfront, and has the nicer pool area. But it is the furthest building out from the central location and Beach House. And, it has smaller windows/balconies/views.

To save a bit of $$$, we are considering a trip, staying at the Grand Sandestin (complex) which is not on the beach.
We would travel just before High Season, in late May.

 

[catfan98]

If you are going during high season, AKA summer, budget will definitely play a factor in where you stay in the Destin area. Destin is an expensive area to stay in and several of the condos are not beachfront, so make sure you do your research before booking. We go to the gulf area every year. If in that area, we usually opt for Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach which is just over the bridge from Destin - about a 10 minute drive. The condos there are all beach front - with the exception of 1 or 2 - and they are also all 6 stories or less in height as that is the maximum allowance for the island. They are cheaper than condos in Destin, too. Same water, same sand, less crowds. You might want to drive over to Destin for more food options and shopping, but it isn't that big of a deal. Where to stay in the Gulf area really just depends on how much you want to pay. I would also be aware of one other thing....the Gulf area as a whole can be plagued with what is known as June Grass from May through early October. It is hit or miss and can be there one day and gone the next. It moves around. It may be in Panama City Beach but not Destin. Or in Destin but not Fort Walton Beach. Or in Pensacola Beach. You just never know. But don't let that hold you back from traveling there. The area is beautiful and definitely worth the trip - as I've said, we go every year. We are going the week before Memorial Day this year to beat the summer crowds and prices and we've opted to go to Orange Beach, AL as we haven't been to that area in a few years. I hope you have a wonderful trip no matter where you choose!

 

[amberpi]

My folks own a place in Tops'l, the complex is very nice. The tiki bar onsite is super fun and all the restaurants (including the tiki bar) that are in the resort are excellent (and I'm kinda a snob about food). I think most of the units are 3 bed/3 bath and have a view. I *think*. Their unit has a balcony from the master, the second master and the living which is nice.

 

[amberpi]

Also, for years as a kid we stayed at the Edgewater, I understand it's still lovely and the location is very convenient. Both resorts I've mentioned are beach front/view with private access.

 

[Minniedap]

Thanks for all the input. I will be checking all suggestions. We are hoping to go June 9 -17, cant go earlier because our oldest granddaughter is graduating. She picked this area for a trip. We did spend a couple of nights in Fort Walton beach a few years back before a Disney trip. Maybe we will look further into that area, I didn't realize crowds were lighter there.

 

[amberpi]

Thanks for all the input. I will be checking all suggestions. We are hoping to go June 9 -17, cant go earlier because our oldest granddaughter is graduating. She picked this area for a trip. We did spend a couple of nights in Fort Walton beach a few years back before a Disney trip. Maybe we will look further into that area, I didn't realize crowds were lighter there.

Much like the seaweed, the crowds are fickle things. Rosemary beach can have light crowds and Destin is slammed, next week in the inverse.

 

[cvjw]

We will no longer vacation in Destin because of the crowds. We have gone in early June and in July and the crowds were heavy both weeks. So heavy that it would take an hour to drive somewhere for dinner. Not our idea of a relaxing vacation.

We now vacation in watercolor, right down 30 A. You rent a house and ride a bike everywhere you want to go. So much more relaxing. They do not have gulf views, but we all have a much more relaxing, enjoyable vacation there.

 

[luvsJack]

If you are going in June, do NOT, I repeat do NOT go to Sandestin.

It is a beautiful property. Several things to do on property-golf, goofy golf courses, bike riding, the Village. But if the beach is at all important to you, on their private beach you will never see it.

I love the beach. We went down one day. I was claustrophobic from all the people. Could not even feel the nice breeze off the water so it was uncomfortably hot. Way too many people. We ended up at the public beach in Destin.

It's way too expensive to end up spending most of your time not on property.

We also had trouble finding a place to eat and ended up waiting way too long for not so great food.

There are a lot of places in Destin. I can't really speak for those. I would suggest looking all down the panhandle. Lots of little towns with pretty beach houses to rent and a lot less people.

 

[sonnyjane]

Family has lived in Destin for almost 20 years now. I used to be a beach lifeguard there. In my opinion, rentals are rentals are rentals. Just find one that works for you. The comments about crowds are not exaggerations. The beach can be shoulder to shoulder, and even casual restaurants can have a wait of 60+ minutes (I used to work at Fudpuckers and a family of 8 often had a 2.5 hour wait during summer). Traffic is a nightmare, and if it rains, everyone in the universe will head to the Commons and outlets. That said, I still think it’s gorgeous, but it’s not what it was when we first lived there.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Definitely tons of traffic around Destin. Either go further down the coast past Panama City towards Rosemary or the other way further down. Okaloosa Island, Navarre Beach. We love Pensacola beach area the most.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We stayed years ago in a fantastic condo in Blue Mountain Beach (I can't remember the name of the complex though), but it might be another spot to check out.

 

[okeydokey]

VRBO is where we always look for rentals. You get pics and reviews of the actual you are renting. It will be pricey but the beach is beautiful.

 

[Minniedap]

We usually do Disney every summer ( for the last 17 years), so I get what you are saying about summer crowds. I had no idea the beaches get so crowded. I definitely want a gulf front view and will check VRBO. We will be a party of 7 so I guess we will have to eat a lot of early meals to beat the crowds at the restaurants.

 

[sonnyjane]

We usually do Disney every summer ( for the last 17 years), so I get what you are saying about summer crowds. I had no idea the beaches get so crowded. I definitely want a gulf front view and will check VRBO. We will be a party of 7 so I guess we will have to eat a lot of early meals to beat the crowds at the restaurants.

MOST summer days are crowded but manageable. 4th of July, however, we couldn't even drive our lifeguard ATV's safely up and down the beach to patrol. But most other summer days are ok. Busy, but ok.

(Fourth of July 2014:

)

 

[Minniedap]

Thanks for the video.

 

[catfan98]

We usually do Disney every summer ( for the last 17 years), so I get what you are saying about summer crowds. I had no idea the beaches get so crowded. I definitely want a gulf front view and will check VRBO. We will be a party of 7 so I guess we will have to eat a lot of early meals to beat the crowds at the restaurants.

If you get to most restaurants by 5, there usually isn’t a very long wait. We eat early for this reason. It means coming off the beach earlier for getting ready to go out, but it’s the way to beat the dinner crowd. We usually set aside a couple of days to order pizza or make dinner in the condo to have a couple of late beach days.

 

[Wishing on a star]

WOW, thanks for the video!
Yep, that is Sandestin on the 4th!!!

Water quality issues that year too... chartreaus green pea soup!!!!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We haven’t been to Destin since June 2007. When we did go we stayed at The Inn at Crystal Beach. We love it!

My DH’s aunt and uncle used to own a condo and a house in Sandestin but sold them many years ago.

 

[luvsJack]

We were there a random week in June. Horrible crowds at Sandestin. 3 rows deep in beach chairs. Wasn’t as bad on the public beach.

We go somewhere on the panhandle every year. Gulf Shores, Pensacola, PCB, Ft Walton. We find Pensacola to be the least crowded but we have never stayed there so can’t speak for a condo.

Gulf Shores on 4th of July and Labor Day weekend. Neither was too crowded.

Ft Walton was good too.

Our favorite place is PCB.

Ds and her bf went to Navarre Beach last June and loved it.