Anyone try Sandestin instead of VB?

[JimV]

Just saw them listed on the site, and was wondering if anyone had visited there.

Thanks,

 

[Dean]

Just saw them listed on the site, and was wondering if anyone had visited there.

Thanks,

Not through DVC. There are no great resorts there period, much less on the DVC exchange list. You might consider the Marriott in PC, not beachfront but easily the nicest resort in the panhandle.

 

[tamu91]

You must be talking about Club Intrawest at Sandestin. I was able to trade into this resort 2 summers ago, not through DVC, and look forward to going back someday. We stayed in a 2 brm unit and we really enjoyed our stay. Club Intrawest is a fairly small property within the Sandestin resort which is huge, no less than 5 golf courses and a town center with restaurants, shops, etc. There is a small pool in the back, grills for guests and a movie theatre. They also offer free shuttle service to the beach. If you have any specific questions, send me a pm and I'll try my best to answer your questions.

 

[pampat]

You must be talking about Club Intrawest at Sandestin. I was able to trade into this resort 2 summers ago, not through DVC, and look forward to going back someday. We stayed in a 2 brm unit and we really enjoyed our stay. Club Intrawest is a fairly small property within the Sandestin resort which is huge, no less than 5 golf courses and a town center with restaurants, shops, etc. There is a small pool in the back, grills for guests and a movie theatre. They also offer free shuttle service to the beach. If you have any specific questions, send me a pm and I'll try my best to answer your questions.

Thanks for the brief critique. We'd been looking at the IntraWest resort too. It looked gorgeous and with lots of other places around to visit. Would you recommend it for an 18 year old?

Pam

 

[kapeman]

I just booked 3 nights at Club Intrawest, SanDestin, through DVC.

It was easy. You call MS and tell them what you want, wait a couple of days and get the response.

I was able to get my first choice.

As far as the resort itself, we have been there many times, but have not stayed at the Club Intrawest resort. It looks quite nice from the outside and the layout looks pretty good based on the website.

I have a friend that owns there and he has had nothing but good things to say about it.

I have to differ with Dean's statement. I think the SanDestin resort is an excellent resort and vastly superior to anything in Panama City Beach. The shopping and dining choices at the Village (and elsewhere at the resort) are many and varied.

They also have plenty of places to get an adult beverage. The tram system is almost worth the price of admission by itself. You call and give your location and destination and they will take you anywhere on the property. It also runs from 6A-3A!


I have been visiting the AL/FL Gulf Coast my entire life and consider myself somewhat of an expert.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just booked 3 nights at Club Intrawest, SanDestin, through DVC.

It was easy. You call MS and tell them what you want, wait a couple of days and get the response.

I was able to get my first choice.

As far as the resort itself, we have been there many times, but have not stayed at the Club Intrawest resort. It looks quite nice from the outside and the layout looks pretty good based on the website.

I have a friend that owns there and he has had nothing but good things to say about it.

I have to differ with Dean's statement. I think the SanDestin resort is an excellent resort and vastly superior to anything in Panama City Beach. The shopping and dining choices at the Village (and elsewhere at the resort) are many and varied.

They also have plenty of places to get an adult beverage. The tram system is almost worth the price of admission by itself. You call and give your location and destination and they will take you anywhere on the property. It also runs from 6A-3A!


I have been visiting the AL/FL Gulf Coast my entire life and consider myself somewhat of an expert.

Can you post the website, or is it the one on DVCmember.com, under club intrawest? I went there, but didn't see any room designs.

 

[kapeman]

Can you post the website, or is it the one on DVCmember.com, under club intrawest? I went there, but didn't see any room designs.

The room layouts are on the Club Intrawest site. It's not the easiest to navigate, so here is the link to the SanDestin page:

http://www.clubintrawest.com/public/en/where/sandestin.asp

 

[starbox]

I have to differ with Dean's statement. I think the SanDestin resort is an excellent resort and vastly superior to anything in Panama City Beach. The shopping and dining choices at the Village (and elsewhere at the resort) are many and varied.

I agree.

I grew up a hop skip and a jump away from Panama City - aka. the Redneck Riviera but prefer SanDestin. I think SanDestin is a prettier beach - possibly my favorite beach (although I miss shells). It's also got (IMHO) better area restaurants and neat attractions - not as much of the over-the-top tacky Florida kitchy "stuff" to do - plus Seaside is not far and is a really cool day trip.

If only DVC had a resort @ SanDestin, it would rival VB for my love.

 

[kapeman]

I agree.

I grew up a hop skip and a jump away from Panama City - aka. the Redneck Riviera but prefer SanDestin. I think SanDestin is a prettier beach - possibly my favorite beach (although I miss shells). It's also got (IMHO) better area restaurants and neat attractions - not as much of the over-the-top tacky Florida kitchy "stuff" to do - plus Seaside is not far and is a really cool day trip.

If only DVC had a resort @ SanDestin, it would rival VB for my love.

Don't get me wrong. I love Panama City Beach, especially the West end, and there are plenty of great restaurants there, even more than Destin.

Angelo's will always be my favorite no matter what!!!

 

[atpatt]

Sandestin is a great resort! It is upscale, with wonderful little boutiques and restaurants. We stayed at Intrawest about 6 years ago and it was really nice. I didn't know it could be had thru DVC. Seaside, Watercolor, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach are a short drive away and they all hold their own charm and styles as well...there are some great restaurants and shops in those areas as too. We've stayed at several other Sandestin accomodations other than Intrawest and have never been disappointed.

We live in Mobile and spend most of our time at our nearby beach, but Sandestin is my choice hands-down of any panhandle beach resort. I've got to check into this Intrawest DVC business!

I agree with what kapeman said about it being vastly superior to what is available at nearby beaches.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Do you really need a rental car while there? Is the shuttle at the resort enough to get you around to all the places at the resort? I'm not familar with the area at all, and I read the traffic is bad getting there.

 

[atpatt]

The shuttle might be all you need, but I guess someone who has been there without a car would be able to answer that better. We always have our car, but we have used the shuttle to go to the resort beachside shops, to the beach, and to the pool at the Hilton. Traffic can be absolutely horrible during peak season, but alot of that bottlenecking occurs in Destin and clears out a little once you get beyond that. We stayed at Luau (on the resort) in July and traffic was a nightmare. A car would be handy if you wanted to check out some of those other quaint family-oriented beaches on Highway 30A.

This thread is really making me want to go stay bayside there again!

 

[starbox]

This thread is really making me want to go stay bayside there again!

I'd want a car.

Anyone know what's the name of the restaurant with all the baby alligators you can feed? That was so cool.

 

[atpatt]

Anyone know what's the name of the restaurant with all the baby alligators you can feed? That was so cool.

Fudpucker's? I've never been there but dh thinks they have or had baby gators in some capacity.

 

[kapeman]

Fudpucker's? I've never been there but dh thinks they have or had baby gators in some capacity.

That's the one. They have a big pool that is surrounded by walk ways where you can feed the gators from a fishing pole. We were there last October. The food was just okay.

Oddly enough, as many times as I have been to Destin/SanDestin, I can't name that many great restaurants there like I can Panama City Beach. Capt. Dave's is really good, and the Pompano's in PCB is good, but I have never been to the one in Destin. I would assume it is just as good.


Also, for those interested the point exchange is a little steep, but the process to book SanDestin through DVC is easy!

 

[atpatt]

I don't know that I have ever been to a "fine dining" restaurant in Destin, since most of our trips have been with kids in tow. AJ's and the Lucky Snapper are 2 of my favorite places just b/c they hold great college memories for me. Ate at Cafe 30-A once years ago and it was good, but that was back when Steak Out and Ramen noodles made me happy, lol. Dh loves Busters, I think its okay. Finz was wonderful the two times we went there. We also love Elmo's but more for the atmosphere than the food.

 

[kathy carleton]

I used to have a villa on property in Sandestin. It is a great resort, and our favorite beach!! Knowing we could trade with Intrawest was a big incentive for us. WE are in Alabama, and it is only 5 hours away. A great property, and that part of Fl still has much charm... I think it i a good trade of points. Love the Baytown that these units are located in. There is everything you could need in Sandestin... Our favorite restaraunt is just across HWY 98 at Tops'l. A quick drive to Seaside and Watercolor! Enjoy, I think you will be pleased.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I used to have a villa on property in Sandestin. It is a great resort, and our favorite beach!! Knowing we could trade with Intrawest was a big incentive for us. WE are in Alabama, and it is only 5 hours away. A great property, and that part of Fl still has much charm... I think it i a good trade of points. Love the Baytown that these units are located in. There is everything you could need in Sandestin... Our favorite restaraunt is just across HWY 98 at Tops'l. A quick drive to Seaside and Watercolor! Enjoy, I think you will be pleased.

Would you then suggest flying into Ft. Walton (VSP) airport and renting a car to the resort? How long of a drive, I seem to have read it is only 30 min. away from the airport. We are not familiar with the area at all, is it an easy drive? Once you get there, do you need to use the car much or is the shuttle enough? Airfare is real high from BWI, so I'd like to fly in as close as possible. Thanks for any info!

 

[Sammie]

Would you then suggest flying into Ft. Walton (VSP) airport and renting a car to the resort? How long of a drive, I seem to have read it is only 30 min. away from the airport. We are not familiar with the area at all, is it an easy drive? Once you get there, do you need to use the car much or is the shuttle enough? Airfare is real high from BWI, so I'd like to fly in as close as possible. Thanks for any info!

Drive is very easy. Since you are at the beach there is only one major road, Hwy. 98.

Some of the best dining is to be had on scenic 30-A, in Grayton Beach, Seaside and Rosemary Beach.

In my opinion the most beautiful beaches and water outside of the Caribbean.