My aunt’s beach house in Destin, Florida was my favorite place to visit as a child. The sound of the surf and carefree days lounging on the beach make great memories. I have instilled the same love of the beach into my children. When asked where they want to vacation they reply, “Somewhere with a beach.” None of us get to hit the beach as often as we would like, so when I was invited to check out the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, I couldn’t respond fast enough! “Return to the area of some of my favorite childhood memories? Sign me up,” I said. I arrived on a Sunday to beautiful sunny weather and warm temperatures, a welcome respite from the cold weather.
The Hilton Sandestin recently finished a multimillion dollar renovation project, leaving the inside spacious and airy. The colors compliment the beach atmosphere. I was given a key to my room and went up to take a peek. Designed with the family in mind, my room had a king sized bed, a fold out couch in the sitting area and two bunk beds built into the wall. At first I thought the bunk beds were small and designed for young children, but when I laid down on one I found it fit my 5″5 frame comfortably with room to spare.
I couldn’t wait to hit the beach and headed down for a long walk on the shore. The water was chilly from a recent storm, but that didn’t stop hordes of people from braving the waves. I was meeting with several other moms around 4 PM and the staff had prepared a sand castle contest and a scavenger hunt as an icebreaker. Although we all tied as first prize winners in the sand castle building contest, and received a t-shirt for our efforts, I was pleased with our results. We had dinner at Barefoots Beachside Bar & Grill, which sported excellent views of the beach, (try the Shrimp wraps and caramel brownies) and finished the evening with everyone enjoying the three pools, two outdoor and one indoor, and the two hot tubs.
I didn’t realize all the joys of a Spa Day until I visited the Hilton Sandestin’s spa, Serenity by the Sea. Between the steam room, the whirlpool, the manicure and chatting in the lounge with the other ladies while sipping on a complimentary drink, I thought, “I could get used to this!” The ladies who had brought their children were able to enjoy the spa, thanks to the Kids Krew club. While a few of the children were skeptical when we entered the Kids Krew room, their activities of creating their own t-shirt and crafts, left them too busy to worry about the Mom’s. Most of the kids didn’t want to leave when the session was over!
After a day at the beach, we visited Sandcastles restaurant for dinner and wine pairing. Let me just say, do not leave this restaurant without ordering the Chocolate Chocolate dessert. It’s a melt in your mouth cake topped with a chocolate orange mousse, ganache and a piece of edible gold leaf.
I was sad to leave the Hilton Sandestin and am already planning opportunities to take the entire family. The hotel has so many amenities you never have to leave the resort. Fine dining is available at Seagar’s for a romantic evening, while Picnix and the Barefoots Beachside Bar and Grill offer options for casual breakfast. Start the day with the never ending buffet at Sandcastles or at the Coffee Shop, both of which have amazing homemade pastries!
Are you ready to visit the Hilton Sandestin?
I’m sold. I need to go to this place. Its beautiful and all of your pictures make me want to stay there! Even the wine! Yes Please!!
It is raining buckets outside right now– and I spent all day yesterday sucking water out of the basement carpet from the last storm– I so would rather be there right now.
What a great place for an escapade! Just perfect for every family. Happy to have the mommy blogger special too
Glad you had such a wonderful time
This place looks amazing, I wouldn’t mind spending a few nights there.
Oh my goodness… I could definitely use a vacation like this. One that comes with cake and wine, such as pictured above 😉
That looks like such a fun place to visit. I wish I could take advantage of the Mommy Blogger special.
This looks like a decent place to visit. Reminds me I need to blog about our hotel in Puerto Rico!
That looks like such a great place to visit! I love the style of the rooms, very beachy!
Yes! I want to go there!! I need to go there. lol. You lucky duck!!!
Oh this looks like a great place to go to relax. Very nice, and open . I don’t know why that surprises me, it looks opened and not so closed in or cluttered
Great pics! Looks like you were spoiled and pampered. 🙂 The bed looks so comfortable and love the bunk beds.
I have never been to Destin although I have drove by it. That resorts seems like a good place for a vacation
I want to try edible gold. This place sounds amazing!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hotel with bunk-beds, how fun!
So beautiful!! I cant wait to visit there one day. I have only heard good things!
What a gorgeous place. This is definitely on my list of must visits, either this summer or the next. The kids would love it there!
What an amazing place to relax and recharge.
That looks like a great getaway. You have a nice hotel, awesome beach, great food….really what else do you need lol!
Wow I love the pictures never been in florida and it actually looks tempting, thanks for sharing!
I’ve never been to Destine. It look like a beautiful location.
Looks like a fabulous place to vacation! I want to go!!!!
That is quite the place. Very beautiful rooms with great food. Pretty much everything you need all right there. I love staying at the Hilton.
I love the Hilton, they always have beautiful rooms and always seem to be located in the right spot for a great view. We just moved from Florida though so I would prefer one near where we are with the mountain views – I need a change from the beach!
This is so beautiful! So wish I could stay at the Hilton! Looks so relaxing and the food wow!! =)
Looks beautiful! The bunk beds are such a good idea. Perfect place for a family vacation!
Oh it looks amazing!!!! I just stared at your beach and pool pic for several minutes. LOL Take me away!
I love Destin. My husband surprised me with a trip there a few years ago. It’s a beautiful area!
Oh my goodness, sounds like a great vacation spot, perfect for families. I like how roomy the room is and the food, um, wow… delicious
Looks like a fabulous time! My idea of vacation is a relaxing resort like this where the whole family can have fun
Your stay at the Hilton Sandestin sounds just amazing! I’m thinking a trip there would make a great little vacation!
Oh yes!! That is exactly what I need! 🙂 Looks like you had a great vacation spot!!
I have been to Destin/Fort Walton area many times but have never stayed here. It looks like a great choice!
The beach looks absolutely beautiful, what a nice place to stay in the summer!
If flying wasn’t such an issue, I’d totally want to take advantage of this special!!
Looks heavenly! I love the Hilton! My kids really love the beach too.
I wish I was sitting on that beach right now.
This looks like such an awesome getaway.. I love the beach and this would be the perfect spot. The meals looked amazing the the rooms are super cool. Thanks for sharing, will have to show hubby and maybe I can get a trip 🙂
This certainly looks like a vacation hotspot. I love how big the pools are and the proximity of the hotel to the beach.
Wow what a wonderful looking place – I would so love to travel more one day 🙂 x
The bunk beds are cool! Looks like a great place for families!
That bunk bed feature is pretty sweet! I would love to go to a hotel that had bunkbeds like that for my kids! They would love it.
It’s lovely there! Those rooms look very clean and well kept, exactly what I like to see!
I
ve never been there. It looks lovely! I like the bunkbeds!
What a neat place. That restaurant has great looking food also.
We stayed at a B&B last time we visited Destin and it was right on the beach also! Loved it!
Wow what a beautiful place to visit. i would love to go here.
I have always wanted to visit Destin, I love the Gulf coast of Florida. And Hilton has great properties.
Destin, Florida is a great place to visit! I’d recommend anyone to go and check it out.
That looks like oh so much fun! I would love to get my family there before summer break is over.
Wow its beautiful! I’d love to visit there… and the food looks great too! We are planning a trip down that way so I’m totally adding it to our list!
Well, the place looks beautiful, but that food looks amazing!!!
I would definitely be taking advantage of the discounted spa options. I haven’t been to Florida for years, but your view definitely reminds me how much I miss the beach!
My family would enjoy a vacation at the Hilton Sandestin. Everything looks so good. We definitely have to visit the restaurant!
Very nice, the views to the ocean are spectacular! Sounds like a nice stay!
This looks amazing. I could definitely see myself with that view and writing blog posts one after another because of the simply tranquility of room and the views. What a great getaway. Amazing place Thank you for sharing.
That looks every bit as lovely as I expected. This is the second year in a row I’ve had to turn down that invite because of conflicts! One of these years…
Now that’s what I call a nice vacation hotel! And nice vacation! Oh! I can’t wait until this Summer!
That looks like a lovely place to stay and if I ever find myself in that neck of the woods, I know where to stay!
We would love to visit. Everything looks so beautiful and there are so many fun things to do.
Oh my goodness, I love every photo. It looks amazing there.
What a great size room! I love when hotels have bunk beds for the kids. It saves on much needed space for the rooms and my boys get a better nights rest when they don’t have to share the beds. They are both such wiggle worms!
With three kids, my family loves the bunk beds as well. We search them out whenever we can.
Looks like an amazing place to vacation. That beach view is amazing!
I have not been to the Hilton Sandestin but have been to the Sandestin Resort so I know how beautiful the area is!! I have my eye on the Hilton and love Destin!! The food looks amazing!!
I love love love Destin!! We go every summer! We stayed in San Destin a few times over the last 5 years and we just loved it! I am definitely going to check out the Hilton! Thanks for sharing, I am totally jealous now!