7 Best Resorts in Destin, Florida (and How to Choose One)

Destin sits on Florida's Panhandle, on the "Emerald Coast" – named for its green-tinted water and sugar-white quartz sand. It's a favourite for families, golfers and anyone who wants a classic beach holiday. Here are seven of the best resorts in and around Destin, plus tips on choosing where to stay. Prices, facilities and policies change, so always check the latest details before booking.

The best resorts

1. Henderson Beach Resort

A grand, plantation-style resort next to Henderson Beach State Park, with a spa, several pools and a rooftop bar. Couples love the quieter atmosphere; families like the large suites and easy access to the state park's beach and dunes.

Wake up to the sound of the waves, walk through the dunes of the state park and find a quiet stretch of sugar-white sand.

2. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

Right on the beach in Miramar Beach, this big resort has several pools, a kids' club, restaurants and a full-service spa, with access to the Sandestin golf courses.

Step straight from the pool onto the beach, where the emerald water is calm and warm.

3. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

More of a resort village than a hotel, Sandestin stretches from the Gulf to Choctawhatchee Bay, with condos, villas, golf courses, tennis, a marina and the Village of Baytowne Wharf for dining and entertainment. Ideal for long family stays.

A village of its own, with a marina, golf courses and a tram to the beach.

4. Hotel Effie Sandestin

A stylish, modern hotel within Sandestin, with a rooftop pool and bar, a good restaurant and a short shuttle to the beach – a good choice for couples and groups of friends.

5. Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort

Condos and villas in Miramar Beach with a golf course, tennis courts and direct beach access – good value for families who want space and a kitchen.

6. Destin West Beach & Bay Resort

On Okaloosa Island, between the Gulf and the bay, with condos, lazy rivers and several pools. It's handy for Fort Walton Beach and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.

7. WaterColor Inn, 30A

About half an hour east, along Scenic Highway 30A, the WaterColor Inn is a boutique beachfront hotel in one of the coast's prettiest planned communities, with access to WaterColor's pools and bikes. Ideal for a quieter, upscale stay.

Pastel cottages, bike paths through the pines and coastal dune lakes – elegant and peaceful.

How to choose

8. Areas compared

• Destin Harbor: close to restaurants, fishing charters and HarborWalk Village.
• Miramar Beach and Sandestin: big resorts, golf and long beaches.
• Okaloosa Island: budget-friendly and family-oriented.
• 30A: small, design-led beach towns such as Seaside, WaterColor and Rosemary Beach.

Things to do in Destin

9. Beyond the resort

Take a dolphin cruise or snorkel trip to Crab Island, a sandbar popular with boaters; join a deep-sea fishing charter – Destin calls itself the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village"; walk HarborWalk Village; and visit Henderson Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for unspoilt dunes.

Dolphin cruises in the harbour, boardwalk restaurants and fishing trips into the Gulf.

Tips

• Beach flags: the Gulf can have strong rip currents – always check the flag colour.
• Traffic: Highway 98 gets busy in summer; plan to walk or cycle where possible.
• Hurricane season: June to November – consider travel insurance.
• More Florida beaches: see our guide to Florida's best beaches and the 25 best beaches in the US.