The 6 best hotels in Destin, Florida from an adults-only inn to white sand beach resorts

Book the Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard

Modern and funky, Hyatt Place Sandestin is situated in Grand Boulevard Town Center, which is on the Miramar Beach end of town. It's a great pick for guests who have been hunkered down for months, and are looking for more of a central location to get reacquainted with dining, shopping, and adventuring through places like Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. 

The rooms are smart, with plenty of light wood and gray hues. They're also spacious, ranging between 374 to 454 square feet, and many come with an extra sleeper sofa in the corner to accommodate another family member or friend. There are only 84 rooms total so you won't feel overrun by crowds, either. Book a high-floor room for a terrific view of the area's natural attractions.

Dining options include The Breakfast Bar, The Bar, and The Market, though hours and capacities might be limited. There are plenty of additional restaurants within feet of the hotel open for dining in, take-out, or delivery, including the highly recommended, local-and-seasonal Everkrisp. 

COVID-19 policies can be found here. 

Book The Island Fort Walton Destin

Ratings at this resort might look a little lower than the rest at first glance, but the property recently completed a $15+ million renovation. Add in new efforts to ensure safe interactions between staff and guests at the two pools, beach, signature restaurant Fish House, and elsewhere, and the numbers are bound to rise. The good kind of numbers, that is.

Located just a little west of Destin on Okaloosa Island, The Island Fort Walton Destin offers 600 feet of beachfront property to get away from stress, pressure, and viruses. If you need a change of pace, check out the five-story Grotto waterfall in one of the two heated pools. The swim-up bars depend on the season (they generally operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and, of course, COVID-19.

Rooms are clean-lined and bright with wood floors, white linens, and royal blue accents. While not all rooms have a patio or balcony, it's worth a $50 upgrade to request a first-floor room with both a patio and a beachfront view.

COVID-19 policies can be found here. 

Book Home2Suites by Hilton Destin

A hotel experience that feels closer to condo living, Home2Suites makes it easy to keep your distance, especially since the bedroom suites function like little apartments.

Indeed, aside from the bedroom – which boasts a pretty comfortable Serta Suite Dreams® bed – a completely separate kitchen includes small and large appliances ranging from a coffeemaker and toaster oven to a refrigerator and dishwasher. You can make your own meals or order in dinner with contactless delivery. 

Family-friendly, Home2Suites is also close to attractions including The Track (think go-karts and bumper boats) and Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park. Buy online ahead of time for contactless purchases.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book the Henderson Park Inn

There's a reason this property trends at #1. It's mostly-inclusive (more on that in a minute), is adults-only (fun fact: Every guest must be 25+, unless you're younger than that but married), and is private and romantic. 

After a good night's snooze in the pale green-and-ivory room – some with balconies overlooking the Gulf – take included breakfast in the socially distanced dining room, while lunch is served as a picnic, packed to enjoy on the beach in the lounges. Or take it for a ride using the complimentary bicycles. Return from the sand or explorations of the local parks and preserves for happy hour at the tiki bar or with snacks delivered to your room.

Dinner is the only meal not included in the overall cost. Beach Walk Café, located on the property, commands high prices but is worth it, especially if you choose the VIP "toes in the sand" experience and consume your meal at a white linen-covered table set up directly on the beach. 

COVID-19 policies can be found here. 

Book the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

This beachside resort provides all the Emerald Coast views and toes-digging-in-the-sand opportunities one could want. Snorkel, paddleboard, kayak – the Walton County vending kiosks provide equipment right then and there, along with lounge chairs and umbrellas. 

But if you desire more action, the resort is known for access to Raven Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, and The Links Golf Club, as well as The Dunes putting course at nearby Sandestin. 

After a full day in the sun, choose from multiple dining options ranging from steaks to sushi. At the moment, only Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood is open to the public. If that worries you, opt for delivery in rooms that begin at 460 square feet. If you're comfortable with more contact, Serenity by the sea Spa is open with social distancing protocols, as is the fitness center. Try a Barre class or early morning yoga on the Sunrise Deck.

COVID-19 policies can be found here. 

Book The Henderson

Wood-shingled and wind-swept, The Henderson looks like it should be perched on a moor. Instead, it overlooks a mile of one of the more underdeveloped beaches in Destin, affording guests the most privacy possible in town.

Take advantage of all the usual beach activities (or non-activities), practice getting your zen on in the adult pool cabanas, or float on the lazy river.

The 178 coastal-inspired rooms and suites are designed in hues of sand and sea blue, with four-poster beds and patterned carpets that give off a romantic manor house vibe. This lovely property, with a spa that includes a Himalayan Salt Suite, is ideal for taking a breather from the tumult that 2020 has offered so far. 

Located next to the Henderson Beach Preserve, the resort features plenty of resources for the nature lover, but it's also deeply invested in the arts, highlighting the works of 13 local artists throughout the property. Learn about them, visit their galleries in town, and cap with a meal at signature restaurant Primrose.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

In addition to the criteria previously outlined, we considered the following factors:

Reviews: I've visited Destin, Florida and stayed at many of these hotels, but for others on my list, I considered reviews and ratings from trusted traveler sites like Trip Advisor and Booking.com.

Health and safety: All the hotels we selected prioritize the health and safety of guests with new strict COVID-19 policies.

Price: Room rates in low season start under $300 per night.

Amenities: All hotels feature the kinds of amenities you'd want in a beach getaway, including pools, private beaches, delicious restaurants, water sport rentals, and more.

Location: All hotels are located close to the beach and within easy distance of other top area attractions like the town center. 

Visitors: We chose a range of hotels to appeal to different types of travelers from couples seeking romance to families looking for kid-friendly amenities.

Where is Destin, Florida?

Destin is located on the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida and is part of the state's Emerald Coast. It's just over an hour's drive from Panama City Beach, and other popular neighboring towns include Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island.

When is the best time to visit Destin?

As a popular beach destination, Destin is often most crowded during peak summer weekends, in the winter as a warm-weather getaway, and in October when they hold food and fishing events. To snag the best deals and encounter fewer crowds, consider shoulder seasons like late April after spring breaks are over when demand is typically lower but the weather is still nice. Though prices tend to climb over summer weekends, it still offers a more affordable getaway than many other summer beach destinations in the US, especially during the hottest months.

However, keep in mind that hurricane season runs from June to the end of November, with August and September usually seeing the most storms. 

How much does it cost to visit Destin?

Hotel prices typically begin in the $150 to $250 range, but rise closer to the $400 and $500 during peak summer weekends, when the fishing and seafood festivals kick in during October, and after hurricane season ends November 30. Florida also institutes a resort tax on top of hotel room fees.

Prices are also dependent on amenities and the type of property. For the uninitiated, it can be difficult to distinguish between a hotel and a rental or managed property, because, the latter often bear names with "resort" or "spa." One good clue: If you can't book for just a few nights, you're looking at a managed property with minimum-stay requirements.

What's the best way to get to Destin?

Commercial planes fly into both Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport (formerly the Northwest Florida Regional Airport) and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach. But the route to this distant part of the Panhandle can sometimes prove circuitous, with connections in Atlanta even if you're coming from somewhere else in Florida. It's often easier and less time-consuming to drive.

What is there to do in Destin?

With clear, emerald waters and white-sand shores, the beach is a major draw in this part of Florida. Boating, fishing, and snorkeling are also popular activities. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to be found at the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and the Village of Baytowne Wharf.  

Are hotels safe?

The CDC now says fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US.

Many hotels have reopened with new COVID-19 safety measures in place. Additionally, experts say that with added caution, it is safe to stay in hotels. We always encourage following CDC guidelines and continuing to wear masks in public areas and practice social ditancing.

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