SunDestin Beach Resort

SunDestin Beach Resort is an 18-story condominium tower directly on the Gulf at 1040 Highway 98 East in central Destin. It sits on the beachfront strip between Destin Harbor and Henderson Beach State Park, a few doors down from Pelican Beach and Silver Beach Towers, and every room in the building has a view of the water. The resort fronts more than 100 yards of white sand, and guests walk from the pool deck straight onto the beach without crossing a road.

Accommodations are one-, two- and three-bedroom condos with full kitchens and private balconies. Units are individually owned, so furnishings vary, but the resort is run like a hotel: Scenic Stays operates an on-site team, a 24-hour front desk handles check-in, and a concierge desk sits beside it to help with dinner reservations, fishing charters and activities. The Sea Store gift shop stocks beach gear and snacks, which saves a trip back to the car for sunscreen or a forgotten bucket.

The amenity list is broad for a single tower. SunDestin has both indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor hot tub, a fitness center and a sauna, and a steam room is listed on Expedia. Star Massage Co. offers massages on site by appointment. Phat Fish Restaurant serves seafood baskets, tacos and burgers without leaving the property, and a tiki bar opens seasonally. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available for a fee, and a summer recreation program keeps kids busy during peak season. The resort also has more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space.

The location is practical for a Destin vacation. Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, The Track and Destin Commons are a short drive east on Highway 98, and HarborWalk Village, the charter fishing fleet and the harbor restaurants are a short drive west. Crab Island boat rentals and the Holiday Isle beaches are also nearby. Because the tower is on the Gulf side of the highway, the pool deck and beach feel removed from traffic even though shopping and dining are close.

SunDestin works well for families who want a condo with a kitchen but prefer a staffed front desk, an indoor pool for the cooler months and a restaurant on site. It also suits groups booking several units in one building. Some units are listed by outside agencies as well as by the on-site management company, so guests should confirm who manages their unit and what is included, such as beach service and parking, when they book. Because SunDestin keeps a staffed desk around the clock, late arrivals after a long drive or a delayed flight into Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport are simpler here than at condo buildings that rely on lockboxes or off-site check-in. The concierge can also book beach chairs, fishing charters and dinner reservations ahead of time, which helps in June and July when both the beach and the harbor restaurants fill quickly.