Fun in the Sun - A Beach Getaway to Sandestin

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I enjoyed an impromptu beach getaway to sunny Florida. The trip came about because I was invited to speak about blogging to a group of folks from the The Northwest Florida Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA).

With some of the lovely ladies who attended the luncheon

We drove from Knoxville to Destin in a little under eight hours. We could have flown, but we wanted to make an adventure of it and explore some of Alabama along the way.

The kind folks at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort hosted us for two incredible nights, and we stayed at the resort's Luau property. Only about ten years old, Luau is the newest of Sandestin's luxury Destin beach rental properties, which are beachside condos with breathtaking views.

The location was perfect because my speaking engagement took place within walking distance, at The Beach House restaurant. The beach itself was only a short stroll away as well and we loved checking out the area, somewhere we'd never been together before.

Check-in at the Sandestin Resort was smooth and simple, and we were given everything we needed to find our room, plus lots of great information about what to do, where to eat, and what events were taking place during our stay. Our trip coincided with Spring Break and there were tons of Spring Break activities planned for couples, families and individuals. From sunrise yoga on the beach to an evening fireworks display, there was no shortage of fun to be had.

We got into town on a Monday and promptly enjoyed a great meal of fish tacos at The Beach House. There's just something about sitting on a patio, drinking a Margarita while enjoying an ocean view that makes the stress of daily life seem like not such a big deal.

The resort had tons of amenities, like complimentary bicycle and kayak rentals, access to tennis courts and fitness center, golf, beach chair and umbrella set-up and transportation around the grounds.

The pool near our room was amazing...with plenty of comfy chairs and lush landscaping to make me green with envy. We also enjoyed visiting the rooftop deck on the Luau for some incredible views!

Here are some more fun facts about Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort:

• The resort spans a whopping 2,400-acres!
• From single-family homes, villas, condos and more, there are more than 30 different accommodations options for every traveler's budget 
• Guests can dine at any of the more than 20 restaurants on the resort grounds
• For the third year in a row, the resort has been named the top-ranked hotel in Destin, by U.S. News and World Report

We had a blast at Sandestin. My family has always traveled to Florida beaches along the Atlantic, but now I feel like my heart belongs to the Emerald Coast. The quaint charm of the area, plus the hospitality of everyone we encountered made us fall in love with the entire place. And the wonderful southern hospitality we received at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was first class.

Planning a trip to Sandestin? Check out the resort's event page for the latest happenings so you can plan your itinerary.

Plus, there's still time to get your tickets for the 30th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival! Jam packed with dinners, wine tastings & classes, entertainment and other fun, this is sure to be an incredible time. If you're traveling to Fort Walton Beach or Destin during April 14 thru 17, you don't want to miss it. And if you haven't been planning a trip, why not start now?

**Disclosure - I received a complimentary 2-night stay at Sandestin as part of my speaking engagement. However, I was not compensated for this post. I always like to blog about my travels and would have shared my opinions about the resort and our experiences regardless. Y'all know I wouldn't tell you something was great if I didn't truly think it was.**