Certain resorts are better for those long weekends or week-long vacations for the whole family. Florida locals, as well as those from across the United States, who are looking for a new spot to take their family for their next big break, should see what Destin has to offer. From theme parks to shopping malls, Destin has plenty to offer the whole family. The vacation options we have on the list below have their own ways of providing a good time. Some put you a short walk away from the beach, while others come with swimming pools and other sources of fun and relaxation to make you feel like never leaving. The downtown attractions aren’t too far away, either. Wondering where to stay in Destin, FL, for a family vacation? Take a look at our list of family resorts in Destin, Florida, USA, that will help you have a fun time.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to family-friendly amenities and activities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 03, 2024.
1. Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard (from USD 177)
Reasonable pricing for spacious, well-equipped rooms.
Convenient location near beaches, shopping, and restaurants. Pet-friendly with full kitchenette.
Close proximity to attractions, but some noise from busy roads. Limited beach access.
Varied breakfast options, but some inconsistencies in quality and selection.
Accommodations that allow you to prepare for a long day out at attractions are important to have at your resort. Grand Boulevard’s Residence Inn Sandestin is not short on these, which include a fitness center for staying in shape and a complimentary breakfast. When you’re not watching your favorite shows and movies on your flatscreen TV or going for a swim in the outdoor pool, you and the gang can take a short drive to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, the beach, and Destin’s numerous restaurants and shopping centers.
Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard
Address: 300 Grand Boulevard
26.19 km (16.3 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
2. The Island by Hotel RL (from USD 199)
High prices for food, drinks, and amenities. Additional charges for breakfast, parking, and beach chairs.
Private beach access, multiple pools, beach bar, and live entertainment. Close to restaurants and attractions.
Perfect beachfront location with easy access to the boardwalk, pier, and nearby dining options.
Great food options on-site, but pricey. Excellent beachside food truck. Breakfast buffet had cold food and undercooked sausage.
It’s one thing to be a short walk away from the beach at your hotel, but it’s another when you can step on the beach when you leave the main entrance. Those who stay at The Island by Hotel RL will get to enjoy this privilege. We advise getting a room that is facing the water so that you watch the sun rise and set from your window. Accommodations include a fitness center to make the huge meals later in the day worth it and hot tubs to relax after long laps in the pools. Each room comes with cable TV to enjoy at the end of the day, as well as a coffee maker for starting the day with the right amount of energy. This is one of the best places to stay in Destin, Florida for families, so book your stay now!
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Address: 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast
467 meters (0.3 ft) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
3. Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach (from USD 397)
If you’re looking for a place to stay that gets you closer to the beach, set your sights on Four Points by Sheraton Destin. The balconies in a few suites are built right on top of the fine sands of Fort Walton Beach, and it is truly a sight to behold. Besides the resort’s close proximity to the beach, the outdoor pool, hot tub, specialty shops, and poolside bar are some of the amenities that guests can enjoy.
Four Points by Sheraton Destin - Fort Walton Beach
Address: 1325 Miracle Strip Parkway
257 meters (0.2 ft) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
4. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa (from USD 262)
Competitive poolside restaurant prices, good value buffet breakfast.
Fantastic beach access, clean facilities, friendly staff, indoor and outdoor pools.
Convenient beachfront location with easy access to dining options and activities.
Top-notch dining options with great variety, especially for families.
One of the best accommodations that a Destin resort for families can provide is a spa, as it gives you a chance to relax after a long day of activities. That is the case with Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, which has a spa available for unwinding. Tennis fans will be treated with 15 tennis courts, and three pools are available for a cool down after working out. The game room should be fun if your kids like arcade games and the shops are full of souvenirs to take home. Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, with options including sushi, steak, and burgers.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Address: 4000 S Sandestin Blvd
25.7 km (16.0 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
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5. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (from USD 127)
Pricing is a bit steep, but the resort offers a variety of amenities and activities.
Access to 4 pools, free bikes, and a resort shuttle for convenient transportation.
Located in the heart of the Emerald Coast with easy access to the beach and Baytowne Wharf.
The Sunset Bay Cafe offers excellent food with a perfect view, while the resort provides various restaurant choices.
If you’re a golf fan and are looking for a place that lets you work on your swing, then it’s best to reserve a stay at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Like most spots that make it easy for you to engage in certain activities, this Destin resort for families puts you close to several golf courses to take all your loved ones to. The beach is also a 20-minute walk away, so you have somewhere to go for a swim, and your kids will love it if they enjoy surfing and snorkeling. A pool is onsite in case you prefer pool games, and visitors have a long list of restaurants to choose from for dinner.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Address: 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy
25.33 km (15.8 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
6. Henderson Beach Resort (from USD 349)
High prices for dining and amenities, valet parking at $35, and additional charges for incidentals.
Private beach access, spacious and clean rooms, two pools (including an adults-only pool), and a new lazy river.
Conveniently located in the heart of Destin, with easy access to the beach and close proximity to shopping, dining, and attractions.
Excellent dining experiences at Primrose, but with high prices. Room service and breakfast lacked variety and were expensive.
Some people prefer to spend their time off lying in the sand and working on their tan. If that’s your preference, then we recommend visiting Henderson Beach Resort, which provides private access to the beach. Henderson Beach State Park is also a walk away from your room, so you will be able to save time and money on getting to the fun spots in the area. The rooms at this Destin beach resort for families come with flat-screen TVs for when you want to watch your favourite shows after a long day on the beach. We advise getting a room facing the beach so that you wake up and go to bed to a great view of the ocean.
Henderson Beach Resort
Address: 200 Henderson Resort Way
15.63 km (9.8 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
7. Hampton Inn & Suites Destin (from USD 126)
The best hotels are able to provide just as much fun and relaxation as the attractions in the area. That is the case with the Hampton Inn & Suites in Destin, which is a kid-friendly resort in Destin, Florida, that comes with an outdoor pool and daily continental breakfast. The combination of free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs make the TV and movie-watching experience very enjoyable. Desks are included in the rooms in case you want to do a little work while the kids enjoy the pool. Big Kahuna’s Water Park is 1.5 miles away if you’re looking for extra pool games to engage in, and you may look enough to catch a festival in HarborWalk Village, depending on when you visit.
Hampton Inn & Suites Destin
Address: 1625 Highway 98 East
12.84 km (8.0 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
8. Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard (from USD 169)
Reasonable pricing for the area. Some guests felt the room rates were a bit high, but many found the value to be fair for the location and amenities offered.
Clean and spacious rooms, convenient location with easy access to attractions and shopping. Some guests noted the need for room updates and additional amenities such as microwaves and refrigerators.
Convenient location near shopping, beach hot spots, and attractions. However, some guests experienced noise from nearby roads, planes, and elevators.
Mixed reviews on dining experiences, with some guests enjoying the breakfast and restaurant options, while others found the food to be slow, limited, or overcooked.
It’s important for resorts to provide meals that give visitors the energy required for long days on the town. Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard does just that, with breakfasts and dinners being hot and offering different options. You can also prepare your own food during your stay as this is one of the hotels with an in-room kitchen in Destin. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and an outdoor pool is available in case you want to take a break from the beach. Running and walking trails are available for anyone who wants to work on their cardio, and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is 1.4 miles (2.25km) away if you want to enjoy the silence and scenes of nature in the area.
Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard
Address: 100 Grand Boulevard
26.18 km (16.3 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
9. Wingate by Wyndham Destin (from USD 65)
Reasonable pricing for the location and amenities offered.
Clean and comfortable rooms, spacious and well-kept property, friendly and helpful staff.
Convenient location close to the beach, stores, and restaurants, with easy access to attractions.
Varied breakfast options, with attentive staff, but some minor inconsistencies in quality.
Enjoyable resorts are able to put you a short distance from the attractions in the area. That is the case with Wingate by Wyndham Destin, which is a short walk from Destin Harbor, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, and the beach. This gives you a variety of activities to engage in, especially if you and your family like to play water-based games and go on similar rides. The continental breakfast is full of food that will energize you for the day, and Destin Harbor has a long list of dining options available for when you’re done with your activities.
Wingate by Wyndham Destin
Address: 117 Palm Street
11.37 km (7.1 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
10. Luau at Sandestin Tower I & II (from USD 251)
If your family is the more adventurous type, don’t miss out on staying at Luau at Sandestin Tower I & II. The activities offered at this highly rated resort range from light water sports like canoeing and snorkeling to more intense ones such as windsurfing at diving. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to do other nature trips like hiking and horseback riding. And did we mention that the rooms at Luau give an amazing view of the ocean? Book your accommodation here and enjoy a fun-filled family getaway!
Luau at Sandestin Tower I & II
Address: 5000 S Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach, Destin (FL), United States, 32550-4216
24.86 km (15.5 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
11. Embarc Sandestin by Diamond Resorts (from USD 209)
Warmly welcoming guests on the Miramar Beach area of Destin is Embarc Sandestin by Diamond Resorts. The resort welcomes all families, big or small. Those traveling with children will find the property’s entertainment amenities to their liking, including an outdoor playground, kid-friendly media, and several board games options. Take the family out for a picnic by the pool and make use of the barbecue facilities. Go on a nature trip by hiking or fishing, and enjoy many more activities available in the area.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Sandestin
Address: 8626 Baytowne Avenue East
25.85 km (16.1 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
12. St Croix at Silver Shells (from USD 70)
Some hotels are better at providing views of the surrounding area than others. Those who want something beautiful to look at when they wake up and go to bed should book a stay at St Croix at Silver Shells. You’ll be able to see the beach from your room, and it will only be a five-minute walk away. The spa at the beach resort is available for the entire day, and a pool is available both inside and outside the resort. Two hot tubs are also available for relaxing after long swims and water games.
St Croix at Silver Shells
13.45 km (8.4 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
13. Club Destin (from USD 71)
If you’re a big fan of parks, whether they put you in the outdoors or provide a variety of rides, then staying at Club Destin is the way to go. Visitors are only a short walk away from Henderson State Park if they want to spend their afternoon walking in the sand, as well as Big Kahuna Water and Adventure Park if the kids want to try out some slides and rides. When you’re relaxing in your room, you can use the fully equipped kitchen to make a meal for the whole family, and the terrace makes it much more enjoyable to watch the sunset during a cool breeze.
Club Destin
Address: 1085 East Highway 98
12.29 km (7.7 mi) from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Take the family to Destin's Resorts
Destin is full of resorts that provide sources of entertainment and relaxation for the whole family. The options on this list include indoor and outdoor pools and arcade rooms for fun when you’re staying in, and the parks, beaches, and other attractions are a short walk and drive away. Families may choose from a variety of restaurants in Destin, as well as different attractions and things to do downtown. Spend your Destin, Florida family vacation at any of these resorts!
Frequently asked questions about family resorts in Destin, FL
1. Which family resorts in Destin have a pool?
For family resorts in Destin that have a pool, book your stay at any of the following accommodations: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Hampton Inn & Suites Destin, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and The Island by Hotel RL.
2. Which family resorts in Destin have rooms with great views?
Henderson Beach Resort, St Croix at Silver Shells, and Luau at Sandestin Tower I & II are the family resorts in Destin that have rooms with great views.
3. Which family resorts in Destin have free parking?
These family resorts in Destin, Florida offer free parking to guests: i) Club Destin, ii) Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard, iii) Wingate by Wyndham Destin, and iv) Residence Inn Sandestin at Grand Boulevard.
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