With temperatures dropping like a rock in North Georgia, the thought of a relaxing weekend at the beach was enough for the entire family to pile into the car and head to Sandestin, where the seven miles of pristine beaches beckoned us to walk on them and splash in the surf. Because December is the “off-season,” we practically had the beach to ourselves. Bryan and I took long relaxing walks while allowing the kids to explore the beach and resort. With over 1200 available rooms, condos and villas to choose from, there is accommodation for any size family. We stayed in a two bedroom condo in Luau One and the kids continually exclaimed how happy they were to have “room to spread out.” I liked the fully stocked kitchen with everything I needed to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, helping us save a ton of money that we used to splurge on a couple of awesome meals. Our condo could easily sleep six, with the two bedrooms and pull out sofa in the living area. My favorite addition was the washer and dryer. I absolutely hate returning home to a huge suitcase of dirty laundry. I tossed some clothing into the washer each night and returned home with hardly any laundry.
We were located on the 12th floor and had breathtaking views of the beach, the pool and one of the gold courses. We had a spacious balcony, complete with a table and six chairs. Bryan kept slipping out in the early morning to enjoy the peace and quiet while reading his newspaper. Although I thought it was too chilly to play in the water, the kids disagreed and spent time in the private pool and hot tub as well as wading in the surf. The resort has no shortage of options for entertainment for days when it is windy, chilly or rainy. We spent one day exploring the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a collection of shops and restaurants set to look like a coastal fishing village from a bygone era. The kids stopped to play at the Blast Arcade and Laser Maze, challenging each other to demonstrate their skill at skeetball, and then headed to the Baytowne Adventure Zone, featuring Ziplining, a Carousel, bungy jumping, a tower climb and more. Afterwards we all walked out on the wharf and took turns feeding the fish or seagulls and gazing out at the wildlife surrounding the bay. Baytowne Wharf seemed to be the “happening place” in the evenings with activities scheduled all year long. We stopped by and watched the 12 Nights of Lights, a festive light show set to Christmas music.
We didn’t have time to try all the facilities the resort offered including mini golf or playing on one of the four golf courses, biking, tennis and (when in season) daily water sports, but we did walk around the Marina and explore some of the tree houses. They would be a fun place to relax on a summer evening and stare out over the bay or have a romantic picnic lunch. With over 2400 acres we could have spent days exploring the resort without leaving. The complementary shuttle bus picked us up and carried us to various drop off points so we didn’t have to drive anywhere on the resort. The kids (and the adults!) were sad to see our weekend come to an end.
What a nice place to relax with family.
This looks like a gorgeous destination!
Looks like a fantastic place to stay – I’ll have to keep this in mind for next time we pass through!
with all the snow on the ground i could certainly use a trip to a warm place!
Sandestin looks really great. I have heard a lot of people love it.
Wow you got some amazing shots and it does seem like a great place to be. Maybe one day if I may get lucky and go there. 🙂
This is a beautiful post! The pictures from your room, the parrot, oh my gosh, I just want to stay there! Great place to go to escape!
I’d go just to see that beautiful parrot!
Your pictures are great! It looks like a great vacation.
You got some great pictures! I love the place you stayed at – especially since it had a washer and dryer! So nice!
looks like a nice place to stay with beautiful ocean views!
I was just telling a good friend of mine that I need a vacation to the beach and the sunshine! This looks like a perfect spot for me.
I’m so vacation-deprived. This place makes me daydream…a lot!
I have always wanted to visit the southeast part of the country and these beaches look beautiful. Thanks for sharing your vacation.
Love the parrot!!! And that bed looks super comfy!
I want to be there either on the beach or by the pool. It looks amazing
What pretty photos! With as cold as it’s been lately, the Sandestin beach and ocean are very inviting!
Great photos.. really shows how appealing this would be for a family vacation. Thanks!
I have heard so many good things about Sandestin. I would love a beach vacation right now as it is snowing outside.
I would love to be there right now! I cant believe you had all that room-we would need that too!
I have never heard of this place before, but I am loving that pool. It sound like a really nice spot with plenty of things to do. This may have to be on the short list for future vacations.
I love that oasis of a pool!!!
What a nice view. That looks like a great place to visit!
I have always wanted to visit Sandestin! The beaches look amazing and their resort seems to have something for everyone.
Ha! I think my kids would disagree with me about the water temp too! Looks gorgeous there!
oh, that looks DREAMY! I’d love to go to the beach right now… I’m so cold!
Now that is my kind of place! I loved where you stayed too! And the washer and dryer would be such a bonus especially for longer trips.
OMG, Sandestin looks like a lot of fun. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be on that beach right now!
This looks like such a beautiful place. With the temperatures dropping here in New York City and all the snow, I would love to get away to a place with mild weather like this one.
This looks like a huge resort with 2400 sq ft. My son would love swimming and seeing the birds. I’d love the chance to relax. 🙂
This looks like an amazing trip, especially at this time of year when we would love to escape the cold. I am impressed with all of the amenities and activities they have!
It’s rather chilly outside right now. I would love to escape to Sandestin beach for a few days.
Oh how nice. It looks like you really had a nice time. Thank you for sharing the photographs. Some of the views are breathtaking.
Wow this place looks so beautiful! I would love to stay there!
Sandestin looks like a really great beach. The Luau One looks like a really wonderful place to stay. I would love to bring my family there for a vacation. We are in mid GA it would not be a long trip.
Wow that looks amazing – what a view you had as well. I’ll have to add it to my ‘too visit’ list. x
i’m in love with sandestin and i haven’t even GONE there. but i will one day, i’m sure of it!
I love off season vacations! I went to Georgia in February, it was in the 50’s and all the locals were walking around in winter coats while I was hanging out in a t-shirt! It was practically summer compared to the -10 degree weather in New York!
It is in the 50’s here in Georgia right now and I have seen several people with toboggans and mittens. While I don’t have a tshirt on, I thought it was sweater weather! 🙂
What a beautiful place to visit! I love getaways with my children – especially to the beach!
That beach looks so inviting right about now–I could definitely benefit from just sitting on that beach and staring out at the ocean.
Ok, I think that is where I need to be right now! it looks absolutely amazing and very relaxing! I could definitely enjoy a vacation there and feel right at home!
God that looks so relaxing.. it’s what I need, too. Just a few days to myself in a quiet paradise.
Looks like you had a fabulous time. What a lovely place to stay! Will make note of it for an upcoming vaca! 🙂
The beaches in that area are so lovely. I am looking forward to taking my own family to Sandestin.
Boy would I like to go visit there! We do the typical touristy things when we go to Florida, but that looks like a great relaxing escape. I’m ready for that over theme parks these days!
Gorgeous hotel! I grew up in Pensacola just down the road from there. You won’t find prettier beaches anywhere than the Gulf Coast.
Sandestin is so nice! And what a perfect time of the year to visit!
Would love to go Sandestin someday,looks like you had some great funthere.
Those pictures are so awesome. Looks like such a gorgeous place to visit. Thanks for the info.
I love Sandestin and we always have fun there… Soo jealous, wish we could have met up, but this time of the year it’s just too busy.. but looks like you had a great time and got a little sunshine out of it… thanks for sharing
I wish we could have met up too, Melanie! That would have been so much fun!
looks like a great vacation!
That looks like the PERFECT place for me to be right NOW! I would love a relaxing week on the beach this time of year!
That view is awesome!! What a beautiful place to visit!
Sounds like a dream trip for RIGHT NOW!!! What a beautiful vacation!
That does look amazing. I love the view from your room. So peaceful!
**sigh** -17C here this morning.
I would love to trade the ice and cold and go to any of those beaches right now!!
Wow, looks like such a relaxing weekend. Beautiful views and the cozy beach beats snow and bitter cold temperatures up here in the North!
Loved virtually hanging out on the beautiful beaches you showed!
This looks like it is an amazing place to stay.
We’re going that way for the holidays and are checking out hotels. I wish it was warm enough to swim!
I’ve never been to Sandestin, but it looks amazing! I need a nice little beach vacation after my crazy month!
Looks like you had a great time! We love to travel and are always looking out for new destinations so thanks for posting this!
Oh wow, that set-up with all the amenities and washer and dryer — fabulous. I hate coming home with laundry too! Makes me grouchy. lol I love the idea of casual strolls along the beach. Glorious location.
I’ve never heard of Sandestin – is it in Georgia? It’s been SO cold here in MA lately that I would LOVE some beach time right now.
No, it’s in Destin, Florida, Robin. It’s about an hour from Panama City.
I would love to go right now. I love the areas that look historic – love the pelicans!
Looks like you had a lot of fun! The view from your room is gorgeous!
Looks like so much fun.
That does look relaxing and absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
I think I fell in love with the view, and pool! I wish I could visit someday soon!
Everything seems so much fun – I’d love to have a walk on the beach too – that kind of atmosphere and vibe must be so worth it.