Where to Stay in Destin – Your Area Guide with TOP Hotels

When you think about Florida, I bet the first destination that comes to your mind is Miami and right after the Keys Islands, but there’s another place where you can go for a real Caribbean-style retreat… Destin!

Destin is a picturesque city nestled on the Florida Emerald Coast, in a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. Featuring white beaches, crystal clear waters, and its iconic fishing vessel fleet (the largest in all of Florida), there’s plenty to enjoy.

Thanks to its tropical landscapes, its great nightlife, and perfect weather all year long (hot summers and fairly mild winters) Destin attracts millions of visitors each year and has become one of the best beach holiday destinations.

For this reason, here you’ll find any kind of accommodation, from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to budget and family-friendly options… you’ll just be spoiled of choice! So now it’s just time to decide where to stay in Destin for an amazing holiday, and good news: I’ve already done the job for you, researching through all the best booking websites!

In this article you will find a full guide with all the best areas in Destin with hotel options divided by price category, to satisfy the tastes of any traveler and budget. So let’s stop talking and start checking them out! but before starting, let me remind you to book your accommodation choice at least 5 months in advance, in this destination rooms sell out super fast!

Let’s start!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book now, then waste no more time, check out this quick list with the best hotels in the heart of Destin, from luxury to budget:

Here’s a map with the 4 best areas to stay in Destin that I will be talking about in this post, so you can visualize them:

1. Downtown Destin – where to stay in Destin, FL, for the first time

Downtown Destin is the heart of the city located on the west of the Peninsula and is definitely where to stay in Destin if it’s your first time here! This area is lively from day to night and has something to offer literally for any taste and age, exactly like its neighbor Panama City Beach!

This is where you’ll find countless and diverse restaurants, a big shopping area along the Boardwalk, a crazy nightlife after the sun goes down in its many clubs and bars, but also seasonal activities, and fabulous festivals! Most Downtown Destin action happens around the Harborwalk Village, overlooking Destin harbor at the Destin Bridge, with waterfront restaurants and bars.

But if I were you, I would take advantage of the many cool activities that the downtown area has to offer, from watersports and water rentals to dolphin cruises, sunset excursions along the Emerald Coast, fishing charters, and trips to Crab Island! This area is a favorite for families and friends looking for boat parties!

And if you feel like exploring the other neighborhoods nearby, from Downtown Destin there are plenty of shuttles that take you almost everywhere!

Other accommodation options in Downtown Destin

Things to do in Downtown Destin

• Go shopping at Harborwalk Village
• Get some adrenaline at Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park
• See the amazing sunset on this sunset cruise on the Destin Harbor
• Try the delicious food of Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant
• Swim, snorkel or relax in this cruise from Destin to Crab Island
• Have a fun banana boat ride in the gulf waters
• See dolphins playing in the warm gulf waters with this tour
• Explore Destin like a local with your private captain

2. Crystal Beach – best area to stay in Destin for couples

Right between Downtown Destin and Miramar Beach, Crystal Beach is one of the most exclusive areas in the city, taking the name from the beautiful crystalline shore, making it the perfect setting for a romantic getaway!

This upscale residential community brims with luxurious hotels and beachfront mansions along the scenic highway between Destin and the big Henderson Beach State Park on the west.

Crystal Beach’s convenient location will also allow you to easily reach the Destin Commons retail complex, located a little more inland, aka the best shopping destination in the whole city! And to end your days in the best way, Crystal Beach is home to many gulf front bars and restaurants from where you can have the best romantic views of the sunset!

Other accommodation options in Crystal Beach

Things to do in Crystal Beach

• Go shopping in the Destin Commons Shopping Centre
• Go for a stroll through Henderson Beach State Park
• Have a romantic date at Beachwalk Café
• Try cajun seafood at 790, an excellent restaurant on the Gulf
• Bike along the beautiful Scenic Gulf Drive
• Enjoy happy hour with live music at Camille’s Sidewalk Café
• Have a drink with sunset views on the Rooftop Bar at Henderson Resort

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3. South Walton – best place to stay in Destin, Florida for adults

South Walton is technically a separate city from Destin but it is so good I couldn’t not recommend it too. Located west of Destin South Walton includes 16 acclaimed beach neighborhoods, each with its own personality! One of these is Mirabar Beach (I will talk about it below), but you’ll find many other popular Ocean Reef Resorts destinations, like Dune Allen, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, and Grayton Beach.

With eighteen miles of white shore overlooking the shining gulf, exotic wooded coastal dunes, natural wildlife, protected state forests, and award-winning beach parks, South Walton is the right place to reconnect with nature and find your serenity again! Sounds like a dream doesn’t it?

But with the many galleries, boutiques, restaurants, beach bars, and concerts in town, you will find something to do at any time of the day here! Did I convince you? Let’s check the area best hotels and Airbnb’s:

Other accommodation options in South Walton

Things to do in South Walton

• Explore the coastal dune lakes in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
• Just relax and soak up some sun at Santa Rosa Beach
• Sample fresh seafood from the Gulf Of Mexico at Fish Out of Water
• Soak in the gulf breezes while relaxing on pristine Grayton Beach
• Try stand up paddling on the Gulf crystal waters
• Find your inner peace with a yoga class on the beach

4. Miramar Beach – where to stay in Destin with the family

Miramar Beach is one of the most fun beach areas of South Walton, a small city only a 15-minute drive east of the action of Downtown Destin.

This is definitely a great alternative for families looking for the relaxation and tranquility of the beach while also having countless things to do and great activities to have fun with the kids! Golf, beach volley, swimming, water rentals, running, or biking along the 3-mile scenic Highway 98 Trail… you have plenty of options to keep your kids entertained!

And as a respectable beach holiday destination, it of course has plenty of restaurants, most of them concentrated in renowned Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, one of the most popular attractions in Miramar Beach. Sandestin is a golf and beach resort area brimming with luxury resorts, hotels, fine dining options, bars, and family amusements at the Village of Baytowne Wharf!

And if one day you get tired of turquoise waters and lying on white sand, you can always go shopping you can check the Silver Sands discount outlets or take the shuttle to Downtown Destin, so you don’t even need the car here!

If you feel like this is the right area for your vacation, don’t waste more time and book immediately one of these hotels, places in Miramar Beach sell very fast!

Other accommodation options in Miramar Beach

Things to do in Miramar Beach

• Run or bike along the 3-mile scenic Highway 98 Trail
• Explore the marine life with this snorkel tour
• Check out the stores of Silver Sands Premium Outlets
• Play some golf at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
• Have a picturesque walk at Coffeen Nature Preserve
• Watch a movie at the cinema
• Play at the Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort
• Have fresh seafood with a view at The Surf Hut

👑 Luxury price:	$200
💵 Mid Range:	$130
🛏️ Budget:	$85
🏠 Airbnb:	$250
💰 Accommodation prices:	Medium
📍 Best area:	Downtown Destin
👪 Best area for families:	Miramar Beach
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Henderson Beach Resort
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Hampton Inn & Suites Destin
👛 Best budget hotel:	SummerPlace Inn

Frequently Asked Questions about Hotels in Destin

Conclusion

You made it! You got to the end of this full accommodation guide with the best hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals in sunny Destin, a beach destination on the Emerald Coast, Florida.

Depending on the neighborhood you’ll choose, you’ll have access to white beaches, romantic experiences, adventurous water cruises, and activities, or family-friendly attractions! Watching dolphins, snorkeling, shopping, dining in great restaurants… I am sure you are already in love with this place, you just need accommodation!

Since we went through tons of options, I will give you my 2 favorite hotels with great locations and reviews, to help you in choosing where to stay in Destin for a great holiday:

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin – have all the comforts of a luxurious property in this great hotel at 10 minutes walk from the beach!
• Hampton Inn & Suites Destin – a 3-stars, pet-friendly hotel with access to an outdoor pool!

I really hope you had fun reading my guide and that it will help you have a dreamy stay!

Have I missed anything? If you have any questions or if you want to give me a tip regarding this destination, please leave a comment below. I’m looking forward to reading them and answering all your doubts!

Have an amazing trip,

Elena