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Destin Sands Beach Resort: Traveler Reviews

1020 Hwy 98 E, Destin, FL 32541 (Formerly Holiday Inn Destin on the Beach)
Hotel amenities
Destin Sands Beach Resort
Ranked #14 of 40 hotels in Destin
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305 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    138
    96
    29
    21
    21
See reviews for
Families
150
 
Couples
58
 
Solo
7
 
Business
5
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Kirksville, Missouri, United States
1 review
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Great for the Price”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 5, 2013

I stayed here over the summer with 9 of my friends. It was perfect for us because we don't expect much because of the cheap price. We were expecting something much worse, but it really was not that bad. The free ice cream and popcorn was great. Although we over looked the parking lot, we still loved how it is right on the beach. The staff were really friendly and did not treat us differently because we were just a bunch of 20 year old kids. There was nothing wrong with our rooms. We ate at the breakfast buffet one morning and it was just okay, too expensive for us though. We were planning on coming back here this year and we were crushed when we heard it was being renovated. Hopefully, we will be visiting Destin again sometime soon.

  • Stayed May 2012, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 6
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tampa, Florida
Top Contributor
138 reviews 138 reviews
53 hotel reviews
Reviews in 73 cities Reviews in 73 cities
94 helpful votes 94 helpful votes
“A little long in the Tooth”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed December 16, 2012

This place has seen better days. An aging hotel, in a round shape, on one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. If you don't face the ocean you look at the road in front of the hotel. Rooms, lobby and elevators have seen better days. You are paying for the beach and not the facility so don't over-expect. Facilities are OK but nothing to write home about. It needs work.

Room Tip: Face the beach up high.
See more room tips
  • Stayed June 2012, traveled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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Ask The-GCC about Destin Sands Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pensacola, Florida
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Great all the way around”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 5, 2012 via mobile

I've stayed here during Fourth of July weekend as well as during Destins slow season. It is a little pricey but the views are great and it's a great bonus to have beach access from the hotel. I always really like that they have an inside pool. The breakfast in the morning is very pricey and there are not many options. If the beach is what you visit Destin for, stay here. If its not the main priority, this hotel is just as good and clean as other hotels in destin.

  • Stayed April 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask JC5BNC about Destin Sands Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Great place on the beach!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 8, 2012

I stayed with my family at this hotel during our vacation. The place is great. There is a beach entrance from the hotel so it was very convenient with kids. Great places to eat in walking distance. I would definitely recommend this place.

  • Stayed September 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Sam987 about Destin Sands Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wilmette, Illinois
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Nice location, property could use some sprucing up”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed September 25, 2012

I stayed here for 1 night and the hotel was nice because it was located on the beach. The beds in our room were comfortable and the bathroom was clean but you can tell that they do not maintain the hotel very well. The walls look like they haven't been painted in decades and the carpet looked worn and had a gum stain...GROSS! Normally I don't have an issue with hearing other people in hotels but the walls here seemed exceptionally thin. They play music in the hallway which is really annoying because you can hear it in the room. So overall it was nice to stay on the beach but if you are hotel snob, I'd look somewhere else.

  • Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
See 3 more reviews by AmandaG197 for Destin
Ask AmandaG197 about Destin Sands Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
IHGCare, Guest Relations Manager at Destin Sands Beach Resort, responded to this review
October 12, 2012
Dear AmandaG197,

Thank you for taking the time to post a review of our property. I am pleased you liked the location of our hotel as well as the beds and the bathroom. Please allow me to apologize for the inconvenience and negative impression you may have had with our facilities. Kindly be assured that we treat this matter seriously as we always strive to deliver world-class service to our guests. I sincerely hope that the next time you are in Destin you will give our hotel another try.

Once again many thanks for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Karen C
Case Manager
IHGCare
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about Destin Sands Beach Resort

Also Known As:
Holiday Inn Destin On The Beach Hotel Destin
Holiday Inn Destin On The Beach Hotel
Holiday Inn Destin
Destin Holiday Inn
Address: 1020 Hwy 98 E, Destin, FL 32541 (Formerly Holiday Inn Destin on the Beach)
Region: United States > Florida > Florida Panhandle > Destin
Amenities:
Beach Business Center Fitness Center Free Parking Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#1 Best Value Hotels in Destin
#4 Family Hotels in Destin
#6 On the Beach Hotels in Destin
Price Range: $
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Holiday Inn On The Beach Destin is a full service hotel located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The Holiday Inn On The Beach Destin is a 2007 and 9 time Quality Excellence Award Winner. Home of the award winning Little Buccaneers Children's Activity Program. Our hotel offers a beautiful, 4 story indoor recreation area and a 9 story tower with an incredible view of the sugar white sand and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Holiday Inn On The Beach Destinis located on highway 98 in the heart of Destin. All guest rooms have refrigerators, microwaves & DVD players with free movie rental. Ask about our KidSuites, a unique family accommodation. Please note: All guests must be 18 years of age or older to stay without a parent or legal guardian. Private beach. Wrist bands required. Parking available for one car per room. Spring break registered guests are not allowed visitors. ... more   less 
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Destin Sands Beach Resort
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