The North Wing will only be available to Shades of Green guests starting tomorrow. SoG is closed for 18 months for expansion and refurbishment.
We stayed in a Bay view room in the South wing in January, and didn't feel that the walk to the main building was bad at all. All can be accomplished under shelter, or you can cut across the sand and take a couple of minutes off of your walk. Compared with the walks in the moderates, this just doesn't compare. However, if you want something really close, then request non smoking in the Tower, and the best view is of the MK, of course!