This review applies mainly about the resort itself. However, whether you stay on the resort or at one of the sister lodging facilities just outside of the resort, the quality of the lodging is good.
Sandestin, the beach resort property is a fantastic place to stay. A group that I was with was on a resort hunting expedition a few years ago. The Sandestin was the last resort we toured and we immediately knew that we'd found the right one. So I have been going there ever since.
The resort will periodically sent out email promotions for discounted weekends and we'll take advantage of them if the Bayside Inn is part of the promotion. As its name states, it is on the bay side of the resort, not the beach side. The advantages are the it is a little quieter on that bay side and the unit is significantly cheaper than an equivalent unit right on the beach.
There are great activities (the beach itself (white sand, yes), bicycles, tennis, golf and kayaking) to be had for all to enjoy. There is even a little kids play area on the beach side of the s.
During high activity months there is a shuttle which will take you frequently from you lodging to the beach, so your car does not have to be moved. There is now a village entertainment area on the resort that is open to the public as well at night. It has about five restaurants, about three clubs, at least two sports bar, a pier that goes into the bay, a music stage, a climbing wall and a zip line, whew! You can even get a pole and fish in the bay.
Fly into VPS or ECP airports to easily get to the resort by rental car. From Atlanta it is about a 5 and 1/2 hour drive. There is shopping at a big outlet mall down the street. I drop my wife off there and pick her up later with big smiles.
Recently I have been a little disappointed. No, not at the facilities, but with this new fee structure. As I am retired I usually wait until there is a special promotion of some kind to go down to Sandestin. My expectations are the base rate times the nights, plus taxes.
This summer though when I made a reservation the numbers didn't add up. The reservations agent indicated a resort fee was added. That to me is like an airline with its baggage fees, which most frequent flyers really dislike. As I will not knowingly pay such 'extra profit' fees with innocuous names, I did not complete the reservations.
However, I just made reservations at the Courtyard by Marriott Grand Sandestin, which is just outside of the resort, because they have no fees, but you still get to use the resort's grounds and amenities including the beach.
So yes, I love the resort of Sandestin. We always have a great time there. But I won't pay any 'resort fees'.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
