From Panama City Beach to Pensacola Beach, the Emerald Coast has no shortage of family-friendly vacation destinations. Whether you’re heading to Destin, Miramar Beach, Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach, or any of the villages along Scenic Hwy 30A, the options, like the Florida sunshine, are plentiful. Here are some of our faves.
1. SANDESTIN GOLF & BEACH RESORT
| Sandestin, Florida
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
You have so many great reasons to get away. Maybe it’s celebrating a major life event like a wedding (congratulations!), escaping for a well-deserved family vacation or because you’ve earned a place at the corporate retreat. The good news is Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the perfect solution for all the right reasons. Their 2,400 acre resort’s collection of over 1,250 vacation rentals includes studios to 4-bedroom units, condos, homes, villas, penthouses, and luxury rentals, giving you an enticing array of options. You also have four resort areas to choose from including Beachside, Bayside, Lakeside and the Village stretching from the postcard-perfect beach to tranquil Choctawhatchee Bay.
9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W -. Miramar Beach, FL 32550 | 850.267.8000 | Sandestin.com
2. PORTOFINO ISLAND RESORT
| Pensacola Beach, Florida
Portofino Island Resort
Family fun and adventure await! With so many activities to choose from, your beach vacation is the stuff dreams are made of. Their two- and three-bedroom skyhome condos are designed to provide your very own luxury sanctuary, with unique designer style and modern conveniences. BONUS: Every room in every sky home condo has a water view. Take a moment to enjoy the spa and wellness offerings designed to indulge and delight, as their trained staff of professionals work to melt away the stresses of daily life, leaving you ready to take on the world.
10 Portofino Dr - Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 | 850.916.5000 | PortofinaIsland.com
3. HENDERSON PARK INN
| Destin, Florida
Henderson Park Inn
Consistently ranked as “The Most Romantic Inn in North America,” and 14th of the Top 25 Hotels in the United States on TripAdvisor in 2018. Close your eyes. Take a moment to picture your idea of ultimate relaxation. Does an intimate Destin beachfront hotel room with luxury amenities come to mind? How about a charming oceanfront terrace overlooking the white-sand beaches of the Emerald Coast or sipping a glass of wine watching the sunset? That’s the kind of bliss you’ll experience with a stay at Henderson Park Inn oceanfront hotel in Destin, Florida
2700 Scenic Hwy 98 - Destin, FL 32541 | 888.836.1105 | HendersonParkInn.com
4. HILTON GARDEN INN
| Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Hilton Garden Inn
This isn’t your typical hotel. A completely custom design embraces the nature of the Gulf Coast, bringing the outdoors in and surrounding you in beauty, whether you’re in a boardroom or on a surfboard. The open and airy lobby brings the feel of the outdoors inside, celebrating everything great about being at the beach. Bright colors, stunning lighting displays, and diverse seating options provide rich opportunities for social interaction. Located within walking distance of the Gulfarium Marine Park and Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, just across the street from the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The airport and military bases are a short drive away.
197 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE - Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 | 850.362.1000 | HiltonGardenInnFortWaltonBeach.com
5. SILVER SHELLS RESORT & SPA
| Destin, Florida
Silver Shells Resort & Spa
Adjacent to Henderson Beach State Park and close to Destin Harbor, outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty to do. Fly to and from Silver Shells with four airports nearby. Enjoy prime steaks, broiled to perfection at 1800 degrees, expertly executed local seafood, New Orleans-inspired appetizers, unforgettable desserts and an award-winning wine list. From gulf front penthouses with amazing views, to renovated 2-bedroom condos overlooking Henderson Beach State Park, Silver Shells offers a variety of beautiful accommodations.
15000 Emerald Coast Pkwy - Destin, FL 32541 | 850.565.1598 | SilverShells.com
6. HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA
| Miramar Beach, Florida
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in South Walton, near Destin, has become a beloved home-away-from-home for countless guests. People who first traveled here for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a wedding or a meeting tend to come back, year after year. Sandestin is among the famed beaches of South Walton, home to the storied 30A highway that follows the stretch of white sand beaches along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Their 40,000 square feet of flexible, indoor meeting space — and 20,000 square feet of outdoor event space — makes Hilton Sandestin Beach perfect for any gathering. From a large conference to a corporate retreat or a small gathering, we ave everything you need for a world-class event.
4000 Sandestin Blvd S - Miramar Beach, FL 32550 | HiltonSandestinBeach.com
7. THE PEARL HOTEL
| Rosemary Beach, Florida
The Pearl Hotel
With its distinctive Old-World European architecture and sun-drenched turrets and terraces; along with timeless black-and-white striped awnings, The Pearl Hotel brings an ultra-luxury boutique experience to the regal shores of Rosemary Beach. In the heart of one of the south’s trendiest and most exclusive beachfront towns, this 55-room hotel on 30A features beautifully appointed luxury accommodations, destination-worthy cuisine and an alluring spa just steps from a private Gulf of Mexico beach. With unparalleled services and amenities befitting the only full-service, adult-oriented hotel in South Walton, they offer complimentary beach chairs and oversized umbrellas, as well as private access to many amenities through St. Joe Hospitality, including WaterSound Beach Club, championship golf, tennis and more.
63 Main St - Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 | 850.588.2881 | ThePearlRB.com
8. WATERCOLOR RESORT
| Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Watercolor Inn
Overlooking the sugar sands of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, just a short distance from popular attractions including Seaside and Rosemary Beach, you’ll find WaterColor Inn, a warm family-friendly destination steeped in southern hospitality, history and charm. The hotel is situated on a stunning 500-acre community, tucked between the Gulf of Mexico and a coastal dune lake framed by a longleaf pine forest. Thoughtfully designed, featuring a gorgeous lobby, the Inn seamlessly marries the laid-back comfort of a classic beach house with the modern perks and indulgences of a luxury boutique hotel. Throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds, pebbled footpaths wind through picturesque parks and gardens, leading the way to a boathouse, tennis courts, spa, shops, restaurants, a fitness center, and a private beach.
34 Goldenrod Circle - Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | 850.534.5000 | WatercolorInn.com
9. MAJESTIC BEACH TOWERS
| Panama City Beach, Florida
Majestic Beach Towers
Majestic Beach Towers is a beachfront luxury resort offering studio, 1,2 and 3Br condos with all the amenities needed to make a great vacation and then some. Located in the heart of Panama City Beach, within walking distance to many of the area’s best restaurants and attractions, the Towers are only a short drive from everything there is to do in the area. Restaurants, shopping centers, golf courses, charter boats, tennis courts, and local attractions abound!
10901 Front Beach Rd - Panama City Beach, FL 32407 | 800.426.6367 | Majestic-Beach-Towers.Panama-City-Beach.com
10. SPANISH KEY
| Perdido Key, Florida
Spanish Key
Just a mullet toss away from the world famous Florabama, this low key “Lost Key” gem occupies some of the most unspoiled beachfront in Florida. Perdido Key is the westernmost beach in the state, taking the phrase “off-the-beaten track” to the extreme. Its scenic two-lane beachfront drive has no traffic lights, and exhibits views stretching from the sound on one side to the gulf on the other. As mentioned, the Florabama, a roadhouse/restaurant/marina located on the Florida-Alabama state line, is just down the road a piece. And while there’s limited shopping in the area, grocery stores and other necessities are nearby. But let’s face it, when the beach is this pristine, and the views this sublime, your only thoughts will be of balmy breezes and sun-drenched lounging.
17287 Perdido Key Dr - Pensacola, FL 32507 | 850.497.0697 | SpanishKey.net
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