Help!!!! first Visit and clueless

I don%26#39;t even know where to begin with vrbo because I don%26#39;t understand all of the different beaches. What is the difference between Sandestin and Destin? If we got a condo on the beach, we would just need 1 bedroom and bath, but would like newer, as in not over 10 years old. Any suggestions there? (not over $240 a night). Would we be just better off staying at the fairly new and nice looking Residence Inn that allows their guests to use the Sandestin Beach Resort??? It seems to be filling up fast for early to mid- June. I%26#39;d really apprecciate advice and an education. Thanks!!!!

Help!!!! first Visit and clueless

jaimietoys - Sandestin is a resort just east of Destin. And the area in between is called Miramar Beach.

First, I understand the rooms are nice at the Residence Inn, BUT, it is 1. not on the beach, 2. backs up to Hwy 98 a busy 6 lane (in that location) highway that is the only through road from Panama City Beach to Pensacola except for I10 (way north).

That being said, in the Resort there is a lot to do and many other choices to stay. Look around at their website.

www.sandestin.com

Personally, I wouldn%26#39;t want to stay IN the resort, but that is just me.

Go on VRBO and look for condos and cottages in Crystal Beach, Miramar Beach, Destiny areas. Here is a great map.

http://www.communitywalk.com/map/2872

You will see Henderson State Park on the West side then follow the map until Hwy 98 makes a pretty drastic turn to the South, (at Silver Sands Factory Stores).

Anywhere in that area the beaches are renourished and beautiful. Sandestin is a little further east, look for the market, ';Market at Sandestin'; There is a beach side and a bay side to Sandestin.

The Crystal Beach area is a white picket fence victorian (but new) area. Destiny is an upscale gated community, Miramar Beach has many different types of small neighborhoods.

You didn%26#39;t list any of your interest so it is a little harder to recommend specifically anything.

Poke around a little and we will be happy to keep answering questions.

Here are a few websites you may want to check out.

www.DestinChamber.com

www.FWB-Destin.com

www.Compass-Resorts.com

www.ResortQuest.com

www.DestinVacation.com

The first two will help you learn a little more about the area. The others are rental companies.

Help!!!! first Visit and clueless

Thank you for all of the extremely valuable information. You hae talked me into staying on one of the beaches. Are there any newer condos that you could recommend? I grew up on the TX Gulf, not as pretty, and we enjoy all kinds of water activities, shopping,eating out, boating, etc. It is just the two of us. We are not late night partiers, so clubbing is not an issue, but I dona%26#39;t think that we would enjoy a place that has a pool full of tots (not that we don%26#39;t love children), and I know that there are many family oriented spots. I don%26#39;t plan on doing any cooking, and we just need a one bedroom. Once again thanks for your help. Laurie

jaimie It also took me some time to get used to vrbo. you might take a look at floridavacations.com it is a little easier to navigate. Not so massive. I stayed beside Beach Retreat which is newer and looks lovely. The amount of kids around any of the condos probably depends on what time of year you go.

jamietoys, I may have just the place for you! And in the PERFECT location.

In Crystal Beach, The Henderson Park Inn. Adults only. It is directly on the beach, very upscale and right beside Henderson State Park which is beautiful. Says it%26#39;s a bed and breakfast, but it really isn%26#39;t.

Here is their website. The Innkeeper%26#39;s name is Tony.

http://hendersonparkinn.com/

Is is close to everything centrally located. For water sports, you would probably want to go down to the harbor. You can rent pontoon boats, wave runners etd. The bay is beatiful to cruise around in and there are a few place you can pull up to and eat.

I PROMISE you that you are going to be soo excited when you see Destin. NOTHING like the Texas Gulf Coast, nothing. And you won%26#39;t get any of that horrible tar on your feet going in the water here either!!

We stayed at Sandestin once and loved it. The condo was very new, clean, gorgeous and great views. We never wanted to leave.

We rented at Westwinds through Gibson Beach Rentals and had a great experience. Their URL is gibsonbeachrentals.com.

You also might want to check out the Okaloosa Island beach area in Ft Walton. People that have stayed there tell me its only 5 miles west of Destin, just as pretty and much less conjested. Worth a look!!

I 2nd looking @ Okaloosa Island. We rent from this co.

www.emeraldcoastrentals.com

They rent a 1 bed/bath @ Emerald Towers West, Pelican Isle %26amp; Water%26#39;s Edge. They are newer buildings %26amp; in your price range. They are beachfront %26amp; the company has good ammentities with their rentals (beach service, dolphin cruise, movie rental, golf).

Also:

www.southernresorts.com

www.destinresorts.com

Sandestin Resort is excellent for families and lots to do at the Harbor Area. Iceskating, lots of thing sfor the kids., etc.

Staying in the resort has many advantages, but many of the available units are golf course and not beachfront. The Westwinds which as mentioned is very nice and beach front as is Beachside 1 and Beachside 11. Be sure you have photos of the units there, as each is individually owned. Some wonderful, somenot so.

If you have small children and would like to be near the water park, beach, go carts, etc.. as well as on the beach, I would take a look at Sterling Sands and Silver Beach Towers. Both are acroos the street from Soccer and Softball fields, family oriented, and walking distance to all of the things the children like as well as across from Pizza Hut, Chick Filet, Brewster Ice Cream and Blockbuster video.

Emeral Towers, Sundestin, and Pelican Beach Club are all close although not just across the street. Sundestin and Pelican Beach both have a large one bedroom with bunks and two baths. Sterling Sands has a demi-unit that is a one and 1/2 bedroom. The 1/2 is similar to the bunk situation at Pelican and Sundestin. Pelican has onsite deli and swim out pool, Sundestin has arcade, pizza hut, restaurant, and indoor and outdoor pool onsite.

I own a full 2 bedroom at Sterling Sands. Very nice property. Have owned at Sundestin as well.

Thanks all for the helpful information. I am following up on all of this advice. I guess we really won%26#39;t know what we prefer until we visit for the first time. Do you think it will be too late to get reservations if I wait for a month? I just don%26#39;t want to make the wrong decision in haste

I think it should be ok. But I wuold book as soon as possible. You might not get exactly what you want. We booked in July for May and the 1st condo we looked at was already booked.