The Hilton Sandestin Resort: The Perfect Escape for Couples and Families

My Swimsuit (also a toddler version that says “Got it From My Mama”) | Sunglasses

Dress: c/o Lilly Pulitzer

A weekend getaway to?the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa? a few weeks ago was just what the doctor ordered. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw all of my stories and pictures from our weekend getaway to Sandestin! A few months ago we booked a family beach trip to Destin with the intention of taking the kids with us, but after our last trip to the Holiday Inn Jekyll Island, I told Tom that for our Destin trip we were either ?going without the kids or not going at all. Don’t get me wrong, our beach trips with a one year old and four year old have been wonderful, but they are A LOT OF WORK. It has been so amazing getting to create so many memories at the beach with our young kids, but I was exhausted. Luckily, we were able to get my mom to babysit for the weekend ( I know not everyone has that luxury) so we decided to take a quick couple’s trip to Florida sans kids!

This was the first time that we had been away from Sydney for more than 10 hours, so I was really worried about how she (or I) were going to react to us being gone. Once I was able to let go a little bit, I really started to enjoy myself! Destin is only about a 5.5 hour drive from Atlanta, so we decided to stay at the Hilton Sandestin for two nights and then drive back home. The drive was a total breeze! (and it was kind of relaxing just driving and not having to worry about kids in the back!)

If you’ve never been to Destin or Sandestin (Where the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is located) the resort sits?along the white sand beaches of Florida?s Northwest coast, overlooking the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you want to just relax on the beach or participate in a variety of water activities that are available, the Sandestin beaches are truly the highlight of the overall resort experience.

Our Room

Since we originally thought we were bringing the kids, the hotel was gracious enough to give us a family suite in the Emerald Tower. When you first enter the room, there were two little ship-themed bunk beds with a tv that were so freaking cute! I was kind of bummed that Bennett didn’t get to see them, because he would have LOVED them. We will have to come back when both of the kids are big enough to use them though. I loved that the bunk beds were on a separate side from the Master sleeping area, so it was like they had their very own little nook!

We were on the 11th floor, so the views from our balcony were amazing. Our room overlooked both the pool area and the beach!

Where to Eat at the Resort

Sandcastles Restaurant & Lounge?

We ate dinner here on our first night and also enjoyed an AMAZING Brunch Buffet here before we checked out and drove back home.

The Coffee Shop

Our favorite thing to do while we were there was to stop at the Coffee Shop where we were able to grab Starbucks coffee, a pastry and then enjoy it outside on the deck!

Barefoot’s Beachside Bar and Grill

We ate (and drank) here every day! Its so great because you can grab a beachside/poolside table in your swimsuit and lunch, a few appetizers and delicious drinks and not have to leave your beach experience. Every late afternoon we would order cocktails and a chicken quesadilla and then would just sit on the deck until dinner time! I also enjoyed a seafood salad one day for lunch that was really light, healthy and refreshing!

The Sandbar

This is a bar that is located RIGHT NEXT TO the beach. They also offer beachside cocktail service which was great when we rented beach chairs and didn’t have to go anywhere for a drink!

More Dining Options on Property

Picnix Poolside Market?

Seagars Prime Steaks & Seafood

Hadashi Sushi

Things To Do in Sandestin

Go to the Serenity By the Sea Spa

Their day spa, Serenity By the Sea offers facials, body treatments and massages, and they have 16 treatment rooms! They also have a full-service salon next door, where you can get manicures, pedicures and hair services. If you enjoyed your spa experience, you can always shop next door at their a Spa Shoppe where you can purchase premier body, skin and haircare products .

Play Golf

If you are a guest at the Hilton Sandestin, you have access to their four award-winning, championship golf courses?? Raven Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club and The Links Golf Club ? and to The Dunes putting course at Sandestin.

Take a Fitness Class

If working out on vacation is your thing, you will definitely want to check out their HUGE Fitness Center (located right next to the spa). The Hilton Sandestin also offers beachside fitness classes ?and even has studio classes as well! Be sure to check out their latest Fitness Class schedule before you go!

Off the Resort

We did decide to venture out one night off of the resort to check the Silver Sands Premium Outlet Mall and also the Destin Commons Shopping Center. There was a heat advisory while we were there, so we didn’t shop very long but both of these places were great, and when we were at the Destin Commons, I was wishing we had Bennett with us! They had an entire kids area (fountains to run through, ice cream, Build-A-Bear, Candy Shop, Trampolines etc. that he really would have loved. They also had a huge movie theatre there too if you like to go to movies while you’re on vacation!

On our last night, we ended up going to a tiny sushi restaurant near the Destin Commons called Sushimoto that was outstanding! Keep in mind, the restaurant was tiny, so if you have a group of 8 or more, it might be tough to get in. We also Hit up Ben and Jerry’s for some ice cream that was right outside the resort!

It was so nice to be able to relax at the beach and have no responsibilities for a few days, but by the last day I was ready to get back home to see my babies! We really enjoyed some alone time at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa (and it was great because they had everything you would ever need right there on property!) but now I want to go back with the kids, because it was a such a great resort for families too!