TXgalinGA

My head is spinning bc there are so many options!! I'm hoping my fellow Fodorites can help me narrow down lodging for our July ~14-21 family vaca, driving from San Antonio to Destin.

6 adults, 1 three year old and 1 ten month old. We need 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms... thinking the kids (mine) can bunk with my husband and myself in one of the master bedrooms. I even saw a listing on vbro stating that the closet in the master housed a twin size bed- perfect for our 3 year old!

Problem is, there are SO many options. We're looking to spend around $3K... a little less would be nice, a little more if the amenities were off the charts

The men in this group golf, so being near some courses would be great! We LOVE the idea of being able to walk to dining/shopping but is that possible?

A family friendly pool and beach are key.

Finally- staying in the condo will be my husband and myself, my parents, and my brother and SIL... so many 3rd bedrooms are twins and/or bunk beds and we would love to find one with queen and/or king size beds.

That's not too many demands is it? Could someone kindly point me in the right direction? Which area of Destin should I be zeroing in on? VBRO has my head spinning.

Thank you!!

gayletmom

Destin is a great area for a family trip. We like the Crescent which is only about 5 floors and in a relatively quiet area but close to amenities. The pool is huge and the beach beautiful. I would start with what's most important to you-size? location? pool? Be aware that some of the high rises have lots of units and a single, smallish pool so that might be a consideration.

In my experience, most places will be driving distance to many restaurants and shops but there are certainly condos which are walking distance to one or two places. The main shopping areas are the Destin Commons and the outlet mall and they are not really close to most beach condos. There is a golf course at San Destin and at least one more nearby so that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, some of the condos have a bunk room-sort of a glorified closet- which is great with kids.

I find that a real estate co can be helpful when I'm not familiar with the area. We like ResortQuest and you can check the specifics of beds on their website but there are lots of others.

TXgalinGA

Thanks for your response. We don't mind other people but we don't want thick crowds, either at the pool or on the beach.

It was suggested by a friend to look into Watercolor, which seems like a darling little community that we would love! However, we would lose any chance of a view, right?

LindainOhio

The Watercolor community is very nice, right next door to Seaside--you would lose the view as the houses are on streets across the street from the beach. There are some condos that look very nice in Seagrove Beach. We have never stayed there. We have always rented the cottages right on the beach in Seaside--we always go in October when the rates drop.

This area is outside of Destin and they refer to the area as the Beaches of 30A. It's a wonderful area with a bike path, nice restaurants, beautiful beach. You would have to drive a little farther to get to the golf courses but my husband has never had any problems finding available golf.

We have also stayed at the Majestic Sun, condos that are in Destin. It is a very nice high rise. You cross the street to get to the beach but don't let that discourage you from renting any place in the area.

TXgalinGA

Oh wow!!! A cottage right on the beach sounds AMazing!! Is that possible to do within our bugets? (~$3K for the week.)

jazzalbart

Kure Beach is a perfect beach condo for families. Kure has a ton of great vintage motels that have been there forever and are awesome. The Golden Sands is the best...much cheaper that the Marriott in Carolina Beach. It shouldn't be too hard to get a room if you book in advance.