Best places to stay in destin fl for families
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Destin FL for families, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve done all the research, and we’ve got some great recommendations for where you can stay, eat, and play with your kids.
Whether you’re looking for a beachfront resort or a more budget-friendly option that’s still close enough to the water to hear the waves, we have it all!
Here are some of the best places to stay in Destin, Florida for your next family getaway.
1. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Given its close proximity to a large number of Destin’s most exquisite greens, this expansive resort will be the talk of the golfing community!
While dad (or mom) is swinging away to glory, either at the turfs closeby or the resort’s 4 golf courses, the tiny tots can enjoy a ton of activities at the resort’s kids’ club.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort boasts a total of 1,600 rooms, broken down into 4 different blocks and 30 different areas.
Each area comes with its own themed decor and price tag; regardless, all rooms show off some pretty classy, upscale decor!
Families can take their pick among standard rooms, villas, townhomes or condos, depending on their brood size and budget.
Owing to its prime location on Miramar Beach, guests are just 20 minutes away from a ton of family-friendly beach fun, including activities such as snorkeling and surfing.
Walk to the village for some shopping, local grub and entertainment, or stay in and enjoy the resort’s 15 tennis courts, 19 pools (complete with pool games), sauna, fitness center, miles of beautiful beachfront, and a range of restaurants.
2. Henderson Beach Resort
If you’re visiting The Henderson Beach Resort, make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen because it’s the ideal location for spending seemingly endless days in the sun.
Sip on a drink, catch up with the latest Sophie Kinsella or Clive Cussler and work on your tan, while the tykes enjoy the emerald-green waters at the resort’s beachfront area.
The Henderson’s rooms provide breathtaking ocean views (not all of them, though, so ask for an ocean-facing room).
Every room comes with a flat-screen TV, so you can finally find out what happened to Daenerys, or give in to that urge of binge-watching “This Is Us” that you’ve harbored for months, sans the guilt!
Or better yet, grab some popcorn, gather the family and watch a family-favorite flick, carrying over your family-bonding time from the long day at the beach to your room!
The resort is also a few minutes worth of walking away from the Henderson Beach State Park, making it easy to get to the area’s fun spots and saving you a ton of time and dollars while you’re at it.
The resort also has a great bar, fitness center and restaurant, and is also pet friendly.
3. Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard
The Marriott is well-known throughout the world and is well-liked for the opulent experiences it offers visitors, the helpful employees, and a variety of family-friendly services.
The Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard is no exception; it is a must consider among all kid-friendly resorts in Destin, Florida.
One of the hotel’s selling points is its restaurants and sinfully delicious food, with hot breakfasts, dinners and a range of dining options for the little ones as well as mom and dad.
Rooms are classy, with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi to “Netflix and chill”.
Apart from the beach, families can enjoy the hotel’s outdoor pool, explore the many walking and running trails in the area or head to the closeby golf course.
The Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is barely 1.5 miles away for those looking to get away from the noise of the city and be amidst the silence and beauty of nature.
4. The Island Ft Walton Destin by Hotel RL
The Island Ft Walton Beach Resort by Hotel RL, or The Island, as it is popularly known, is bang on the beach.
No, not a short walk away; you walk out of the hotel to find yourself on the hotel’s 600 feet of beautiful beachfront!
To further sweeten the deal, the resort offers a range of some pretty great ocean-facing accommodation, from standard rooms to suites, from where you can catch splendid sunrise and sunset views.
Enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness center, swim in the outdoor heated pool or soak in the hot tub till all of you become wrinkled prunes!
You and the better half could also enjoy a delicious dinner at any of the resort’s 3 restaurants and get a drink at the resort’s 2 watering holes, ending your day on a relaxed yet intimate and romantic note.
The resort is also situated close to many attractions such as the Island Watersports Company and the Dueling Piano Bar, to name a few.
5. Hampton Inn and Suites, Destin
For the perfect combination of in-house entertainment and outdoor fun, head to the Hampton Inn and Suites.
A sure-fire contender on any list of family places to stay in Destin, Florida, this resort comes with an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen-TV-equipped rooms, while also being situated close to many of the tourist attractions in the area, such as the Big Kahuna’s Water Park.
Guests can enjoy a sumptuous continental spread for breakfast each morning.
While the kids splash about in the pool, parents can either burn off some calories in the resort’s fitness center or squeeze in some work-time at the in-room work desks.
Depending on when you visit, you can also soak in the festive spirit and enjoy different festivals at the HarborWalk Village, such as the Destin Seafood Festival or the Destin Boat Parade.
6. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa
As the name suggests, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa is a haven for those who enjoy spa sessions and golf!
However, the hotel’s entertainment isn’t limited to just those two amenities — take your pick from the 15 tennis courts, the 3 pools, the kids’ game room full of arcade games or the many shops for some last-minute souvenir-hunting.
Families at this resort are also spoilt for choice when it comes to food; the resort’s restaurants serve up a range of Gordon-Ramsay-approval-worthy dishes, from steak to burgers to sushi.
Cook a fabulous dinner; turn it into a family affair by getting the kids and your spouse to help and enjoy your room-cooked dinner on the terrace as the sun goes down and the cool breeze gently runs its hands through your hair.
7. Club Destin
Club Destin is one of the best choices among Destin Florida family resorts for those whose jam lies in the Great Outdoors, whether it’s exciting rides at parks or just a walk to reconnect with Mother Nature.
The resort lies a stone’s throw away from the Henderson State Park, as well as the Big Kahuna Water and Adventure Park, letting you decide whether you want a relaxed afternoon walking on the beach or an adrenalin-rush-inducing time at the slides and rides in the park.
You can also stay in and enjoy all that the resort’s beautiful rooms have to offer, including a fully-equipped kitchen and gorgeous terrace.
8. Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa by Wyndham Vacation Rentals
The Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the whole package — a sauna, fitness center, internet facilities, restaurant, tennis court, family rooms, free parking and gorgeous views to wake up and fall asleep to.
Families staying at this kid-friendly rental in Destin, Florida, are treated to beach-view rooms (the beach is a mere 5-minute walk away), full-day spa sessions at the resort’s classy spa, an indoor and outdoor pool and 2 hot tubs to unwind in after a vigorous day of water games and beach activities.
9. Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard
The Grand Boulevard comes with classy, family-friendly accommodation, a superb fitness center and a complimentary breakfast.
When you’re not lounging about the outdoor pool area or exploring the nearby Topsail Hill Preserve State, the beach, or the many shopping centers and restaurants, chill in your room watching your favorite TV shows on the flat-screen TV.
You could also smash a few aces in the hotel’s tennis court, or enjoy some golf at the nearby turf.
Like the Henderson, the Grand Boulevard is pet friendly, so bring Toto along for some all-inclusive family time!
10. Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village
This sprawling resort enjoys a prime location in one of Destin’s most popular tourist attractions — the HarborWalk Village, the center for great dining, shopping, entertainment and spectacular views of the harbor.
Families staying at the Emerald Grande can enjoy spacious accommodation in condos that come equipped with laundry facilities, fully-equipped kitchens, gorgeous balconies and elegant decor (which varies from unit to unit).
Kids can enjoy a range of activities in the Emerald Grande, such as their fun game room, a playground following a nautical theme, and a super-fun funkily-shaped outdoor pool.
Despite the lack of direct beach access (you just have to cross the street to get to the beach), the Emerald Grande is a great option to consider for a Destin Florida family vacation.
11. Wingate by Wyndham Destin
The Wingate by Wyndham Destin enjoys a super-convenient location, merely minutes away from top attractions such as the beach, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Destin Harbor.
With so much to do around, your vacation will seem to fly by!
Enjoy water games and rides at the Adventure Park or explore Destin Harbor and discover its treasure trove of restaurants.
The hotel also offers a pretty awesome continental spread for breakfast, ensuring you and your family start the day on the right note!
The hotel also has a great fitness center and business center, as well as services such as laundry, newspapers, a 24-hour front desk and parking.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our list of the best places to stay in Destin, FL for families. We know that choosing where to stay when traveling with children can be a daunting task, but we are confident that this list will help you make the right choice for your family’s trip.