New Sandestin Resort

[ArRzrbk]

Hello all,

I read in the spring DVC magazine that a resort in Sandestin, Flordia has been added to the World Passport Collection - I think the resort is called Club Intrawest. Anyway, Destin and Sandestin have been my home away from home for nearly 20 years now, and I am so excited!

However, I know nothing about the resort. Have any of you stayed on the property before or perhaps you just know of it? And I did try Member Services, and the representative I spoke to was very little help. So, I decided to turn to you all...the experts : ) Thanks.

ArRzrbk a.ka. Char

 

[PamOKW]

I found this info. It looks very nice.

Sandestin

 

[Sammie]

I believe Intrawest is on the Lake side of the Sandestin resort with shuttles to the beach. The property is huge and there is a new area called Baytowne Wharf, that has a very Disney feel to it.

 

[hercamore]

Yes, I have stayed i Sandestin twice in the last year or so.

We llove the resort and hope to go back this summer.

www.sandestin.com

The beach is beautiful. shopping, abounds onsite and off the property nearby. Golf, swimming, beautiful grounds, disney like attention to detail of landscaping.

There are no "bad" rentals on the property. We stayed in the most inexpensive villas, and wow.

We are happy.

herc.

 

[kweaver]

Glad to see this is now an option. Looks fabulous!

We've stayed at the Hilton Sandestin before...and it was very nice. The area is beautiful...and the beaches are fabulous!

(I've never been to Vero...and I'm sure it's lovely...but I've been wishing for a DVC resort at the Gulf!)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

It has been years since I have driven through SanDestin, and from looking at the pictures, it looks like it has grown dramatically, anyone know which "areas" we would be eligible to stay in? My Mom lives in Destin, and this would be a wonderful place for us to go and have her join us.

 

[spiceycat]

if you can possibly afford - go buy you one on the resale market - timeshares are still fairly cheap here on the resale market - you should be able to get one for under $4,000 fairly easily. (probably under $2,000)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I called Members Services and she gave me this website as to the actual rooms you stay in:

http://www.experiencesandestin.com/

There is a $75.00 booking fee. You can book a few nights or the whole week. I checked for May and April to May as 25 points for Sun-Thurs and 42 points for Fri and Sat for a 1 bedroom. I was told prices vary depending on dates.

While I was on the site, a pop up ad said they were offering a 3 nights stay for $249.00.

Laundry facilities available in the building, but in each room, not even in the 2 bedroom.

 

[nisiemouse]

RweThereYet:

Dh's mom lives in Destin and works for the Sandestin Real Estate office. I have been to the new Village shops which are very nice and near the Club Intrawest. I thought about trying the $249 special and sitting through the timeshare presentation.

Post if you wind up staying there.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I didn't click on the $249 deal pop-up, so I didn't know you had to attend a timeshare presentation. Think I will pass on that one.

 

[hercamore]

Regarding laundry facilities, both of the villas we have stayed at in Sandstin have had w/d.

We have not stayed at the Club INtrawest, but site says the villas have w/d.

There are 1300 different accomodations at Sandestin ranging from single family homes to the Hilton HOtel.

The Hilton comes up on Priceline a lot.

herc.

 

[nisiemouse]

Hercamore: Have you used Priceline for Sandestin? What is in the description for the Hilton? We have to go down a lot to see family and it gets pretty expensive. I never thought about using Priceline for this area. Thanks.

 

[hercamore]

nisiemouse,

I have not used Priceline for Sandestin, but have reserarched it. the Hilton is the only resort on Prieceline in the Destin area. Bayside Inn comes up as a 3*. That is a really nice hotel on the bay side of Sandestin, not quite as fancy as Hilton.
Check out www.biddingfortravel. for the latest bids and bidding info.

I would go for it if I were you. I would wait till a month before your dep date for best results.

I would love to stay at the Hilton, but the bed mix is not right for our family. We need two true br. I have been in the Bayside Inn, and it s lovely.

herc.

 

[ffindis]

How far is Sandestin from Orlando? Would this be a reasonable drive from Orlando?
Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon what you call reasonable - 6 to 8 hours - depending upon how offer you stop - oh but the panhandle is so beautiful!!!!

the Marriott in Panama City - I know not Destin - has an offer for $99 - go register on their website to get it 3 days 2 nights and if you come Sun-Wed it is for 3 nights.

www.vacationclub.com

 

[ArRzrbk]

Hello all,

Since I started this thread, I figure it is ok for me to deviate from the main topic at hand (the DVC resort) and give you all the two vacation spots we frequent when we go to Destin/Sandestin/Fort Walton - they all three run together (seem like one great big town)...

For romance, you can't beat the Henderson Park Inn. My husband and I stayed there on our honeymoon, and we have been going back as often as we can ever since. Their website address is http://www.hendersonparkinn.com It doesn't begin to do them justice, but all the good things it says about the inn are absolutely true!

The "bed and breakfast" is adults only, and it boarders Henderson State Park...right on the beach! So, to the right of the resort, there is no other establishment. And the rooms and service are great. There are jacuzzi tubs, four poster beds, free treats left on your pillows at turn down, free drink happy hours each evening, and a fabulous restaurant.

And the staff have always been wonderful to us. Oh, and for those of you who care about this sort of thing, they even launder the bedspreads after each guest leaves! I could honestly write for days on the place, but I just wanted to mention it, as it seems this discussion thread has sparked many people's interest in Destin.

The second locale I want to mention, which is good for families, that is also on the beach is the Sandestin Beach Hilton. I think someone else in this thread mentioned it. My father used to take us there for pharmacy conventions, and we loved it. I am sure you can find details on the hotel on the hilton's main website, so I'll skip the details.

Anyway, I just want to close by saying that Destin/Sandestin/Fort Walton is an amazing place to vacation. The beaches are white sand with crystal blue water. There are tons of great shops and outlet malls. You can snorkle, dive, dolphin watch, go-cart, etc. And I can assure you that the years we don't do Disney, we'll probably be in Destin at the Henderson Park Inn or the Sandestin Beach Hilton : )

P.S. Feel free to write me with Henderson Park Inn questions. I never get tired of talking about that place. Wish I was there now!

ArRzrbk a.k.a. Char