My husband and I stayed at the Hilton Sandestin for our Honeymoon. We were there from May 11th to May 15th, 2008. The hotel is beautiful and the customer service is outstanding. It was the best customer service we had ever experienced from the time we drove in through the person at the security gate until we left. We had a great queen suite (with the extra bunk beds) on the 14th floor that was ocean view but had a wonderful view of the resort and the ocean. We really liked the fact that we could just walk right out to the beach. The beds were super comfy and the tv's in the room were huge. If you are planning to go to Destin, definitely book at the Hilton and check out their spa which was very nice.

-The hotel room was incredible. Outstanding view of the beach, which is one of the best beaches in North America. The room needed a little updating but the bed and the layout of the room more than made up for older carpet and wallpaper. No matter what the cost of the upgrade, take the balcony rooms, they are worth it. Although it was pretty chilly in the evenings this time of year, the beach was very nice, even in bathing suit's.
-The bed was very comfortable, large, and plush.
-The room had a stocked refrigerator;however, you had to call down to housekeeping to have it stocked.
-The hotel rest. was very good, but very expensive ($18.00+tax). Lunch was more moderate ($10-14). The hotel bar was exceptional, good selection, but did not have enough staff to work during the weeknights. The Oyster bar outside, but on the hotel property, made eating at the hotel nice (very good selection).
-The golf course on the resort is a pitch and put, but there are other great courses around that make up for it.
-Numerous great resturaunts around the property, the outlet mall, bass pro shop, hard rock cafe, etc are about 5 miles away.

Hints: Hilton gold members are automatically upgraded to the next higher room, internet is free, and you will receive free continental breakfast coupons for the duration of your stay (or you can use these to get up to $11 off of the regular breakfast buffet price.

Rent a car, the shuttle from the the airport is $60 one way. Cabs are plentiful from the hotel but coming back is another story. The hotel shuttle runs all over the property (which is enourmous) but is on a 30 minute schedule at all stops and doesn't run after a certain time.

NEGATIVE: Even though this is a large convention hotel, they never had enough people working the front desk. Check in, even as a hilton honors member (pre-check in) was still a 20 minute ordeal. Check-out, with billing changes, plan on 30+ minutes.

We stayed at the Sandestin Hilton for Spring Break, April 2 - 6, 2008. This is my 3rd year staying here for spring break. We stay here for two reasons: beautiful beach and bunk beds in a spacious room. I have 3 children (8,7 and 5). The bunk beds in the junior suite allow us to comfortably share one room. The hotel has been renovated but still shows its age. Our toilet kept clogging and not nearly enough elevators for the number of rooms and guests. My children love it here, and as long as the rates are reasonable we will keep coming. This year we paid $129/night. Indoor pool is fantastic, and the beach can't be beat. I highly recommend this hotel for families with elementary school age children, just remember its an older hotel and your room may have some maintenance issues.

Let’s start with the positives: The Sandestin Hilton Golf Resort & Spa sits on the prettiest piece of beach that this world traveler has ever seen. Though the Florida Panhandle’s white powder beaches are well known in the region, they’re not so famous beyond the Southeastern US. And that’s a good thing, since it means that you should have plenty of towel space on the sand.

This Hilton property is part of a much larger resort development encompassing a golf course, numerous condominium complexes, and shopping areas. It’s actually outside/on the periphery of Destin proper, which has gone upscale in a big way, and though it’s geographically close to other “Redneck Riviera” beach towns like Ft. Walton Beach, it’s worlds away in terms of amenities and sophistication.

Our family of 2 thirtysomething adults and 2 twin toddlers, aged 4, really enjoyed the beach and outdoor pool area. (There’s also an enclosed heated pool if your visit coincides with bad weather.) Beyond the standard arrangement of 2 queen size beds, our room also featured bunk beds set into wall next to the entrance, which enabled the adults to stay awake into the night without disturbing the kids. The room décor was a bit like that of the rest of the hotel: solidly traditional, with country club-like greens and browns dominant. Which brings me to my main issue with this golf resort property: the Caddyshack factor.

Fans of sophomoric Chevy Chase comedies from the seventies will immediately relate to the slightly stodgy surroundings, which, though contemporary, seem to exhale an air of exclusivity. We arrived at night and were a little taken aback by the guard stationed by the main entrance, who gruffly asked to see our parking pass. (He softened slightly when we explained that we were just arriving, but I wondered if that was really such an uncommon occurrence at the main entrance to a hotel.) Any ill feeling was mitigated by the bell staff, who leapt over buildings to make us feel welcome.

Would-be guests are advised to beware the hidden fees at this property. Charging $10 for parking might make sense in a city setting, less so on a sprawling suburban campus. $10 plus tip for valet parking seemed a little high, as did the nearly $20 per person breakfast buffet (thankfully, kids under 6 eat free). In a hotel of this caliber, I expect free wireless Internet in my room, and not to have to cough up $10 a day for this privilege. In other words, beyond complimentary beach towels and free fishwrap (USA Today), expect to be nickel and dimed for just about everything else at this property.

That said, would I stay again? Definitely. If you want a modicum of luxury – even of the hoary Caddyshack variety – amid the most perfect beaches imaginable, look no further.