We stayed at this property from 10/20/12 through 10/27/12. The property was easy to find after leaving the Ft. Walton airport in our rental car. The airport is small so it was easy in and out. The address for the property was found on our AT&T phone mapping program and we were there with ease. Upon arriving it is not obvious where you need to go to check in. We figured it out easy enough but from our room we noticed all week people stopping and pausing trying to figure out where to go. We filled out the check in paperwork ahead of time during some downtime at the airport waiting for our connection. Check in was easy and efficient and similar to all other Wyndham property processes. There is a parking garage for use by guests with baggage trolleys at every elevator directly to the rooms. There were plenty of trolleys available.
Garage, elevators, and hallways were all very clean. Signage to the rooms was easy and everything worked. We used points and reserved a one bedroon deluxe suite. This room has a long entry hallway, a kitchen, living and dining area, a master bedroom, and a balcony. The bathroom has a jacuzzi tub with shutters that open to the bedroom. Our room was an accessible room, we didn't request it, nor did we need it so I'm not sure how the layout differs. We had a large walk in shower and a sink in both the bathroom proper and the vanity area where the jacuzzi tub was. Lots of room, plenty of towels for inside use and four beach towels. There was a suitable amount of soap and such for us to use as well. The room was clean.
There has been much discussion about the beds. They are a bit firm but the week was comfortable and restful. The only issue we had with the bed was that the sheets didn't fit so we needed to keep adjusting. I think the sheets were regular king sheets and maybe the mattress was a deep mattress? Very minor issue.
There was also plenty of storage in the room so hanging space was plentiful, although it took us a couple days to find the iron :-) There was an in room safe as well. HVAC worked great and seemed to maintain temperature although a bit cooler than the temp indicated. Very comfortable. The floors are all ceramic tile and that keeps the sand manageable that is invariably brought in BUT it also makes for noisy neighbors. Every movement above us came through the floor. Just something to be aware of with hard floors throughout. We noted it but did not find it a nuisance.
The entire room and the kitchen had obviousy been recently updated. Paint was fresh, surfaces current and appliances perhaps not as new as the upgrade but in good conditon. Coffee maker was brand new.
The building sits perpendicular to the gulf. Balconies are angled out of the building and face the gulf. We had a good view but the building faces a road (how we noted people trying to figure the check in) but the gulf captures your attention. If I have attached a picture it is the view from the balcony. Higher numbered rooms are closer to the gulf and further from the trash room. Elevators are in the middle... you make the call.
There is no restaurant in the building. There is one in the condo complex across the street "The Crab Shack", and there is a beach restaurant in short walking distance "The Whale Tale" and further down the beach is the famous "Pompano Joe's". A car rental is definitely a good idea and there are many scooter, bike, and jelly car rentals (these are three wheeled motorized and peppy cute things that look like jelly beans). There are plentiful opportunities for any kind of food you could want within a short drive or a good walk.
There is no pool at this specific property and there are five pools at adjacent properties that can be accessed. One that is closest is an indoor/outdoor pool and has two hot tubs. People have written about this pool being through a garage or outside and into another building. All true but the pool is very close and a short walk. We had beautiful weather all week and went to the pool once just to try it out. It was clean but there was maintenance going on so the peace was lost on the ambience of a pressure washer. The other pools were a walk and looked nice, but few people were in the pools since the gulf was so beautiful. We spent all of our water and sun time on the beach.
There are no complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas. They are available on the beach for $40.00 a day. Ask at the activities center for chairs and umbrellas to check out. If they have any serviceable ones that were left behind you can get them free. We left behind two chairs and an umbrella. There are plenty of beachside shops to get beach gear at a good price and close by.
Staff were all very nice and very helpful. Mids came mid-week we only asked for more towels and they were provided readily.Checkout is at 10am and the maid brigade was pounding on the door at 10am sharp. We found that a bit disturbing. We were ready to go, bags in hand, but that had us feeling like we were being hustled off of a table at a busy restaurant. Very uncharacteristic of the week and the entire experience and the reason it doesn't get a 5.
We will go back for sure and will also explore the Wyndham property down the coast in Destin.
Room Tip: One bedroom deluxe is the way to go. Much bigger. Higher numbered rooms are closer to the gulf.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
