Stayed one night at the Wingate in Destin before staying at the Emerald Grande for a wedding. Room was spotless, bed was very comfortable. Very quiet and a yummy breakfast. We were invited to a manager's (Mark Owens) reception that evening. Arone Roache sure knows how to throw a lovely party (great meatballs). Had a great conversation with both Mark and Arone. Enjoyed it very much. (Emerald Grande is lovely, but the staff could learn alot from the Wingate staff). Can't wait to visit again.

I had stayed at Wingate in Destin frequently, but I must say the quality of service and quality of rooms has gone downhill in 2012-2013. I stayed at the Wingate last night (3-11-13), using my Wyndam Rewards this time, and room 205 was filthy. The carpet sorely needs cleaning. The ceiling was water stained and had falling plaster over the bed nearest the window. The desk had been taken out (the fridge moved there) and there was no phone in the entire room. When I checked in, I asked Joe (manager) for a different room, preferably 3rd floor, in anticipation of a noisy night due to Spring breakers. I was told the hotel was sold out. When I found the room in such bad condition, I called the desk, again asking for another room, and was told nothing could be done. I called Wyndam Rewards and was told if I left the points could not be returned. This morning, I did not ask -- I told-- Customer Service at Wyndam Rewards that I would need those points returned immediately, or a room without charge for a second night, or a money refund (which I did not think would be possible, since payment was points). When I spoke to Joe this morning at Check-out he blamed me for not calling the desk last night (I had called, of course) and when I told him that i called the desk before reporting to Wyndam Rewards he basically called me a liar. I don't think it's the customer's job, in any case, to tell them a room with no desk (Wingates cater to business travelers and always have desks), no room phone at all, and falling plaster, dirty carpet is unacceptable. Management should know enough about their hotel to know to know when a room is not ready to rent! Joe said he would have Wyndam refund the points, but that is yet to be seen. Actually, I should get more than just the points back after that room. This is the second occasion, in two visits, that there has been a bad experience at this particular Wingate. Some of their rooms are good, others are not, and management is very reluctant to make good when something is wrong. The attitude of some of the staff, noticeably Cristie (the pregnant woman) at the desk is also very poor. And Joe acts like he's doing a big favor by renting a room, and you should take what you get. Destin is an upscale community, and Wingates have a reputation of being good over-all hotels catering to business travelers. This particular Wingate, lately, is giving the chain a huge blemish. Other things, the hotel was busy with Spring Break and ran out of food at breakfast, and I just had coffee, one juice, one yogurt because the breakfast bar was empty. There was a long line, of people waiting for dried out eggs and overcooked sausage, and there was none. The waffle mix ran out before 8:30.