In 1975 Sandestin became the first modern resort to give its guests the opportunity to play on grass courts. It was a stunning marketing move, one that attracted national attention to what was then a relatively new resort/residential development in the Florida Panhandle. Eventually it also added hard courts to go with its clay and grass to give it all three playing surfaces.

Two decades later, the resort again drew attention to its tennis by building a brand-new tennis center near the marina on Choctawhatchee Bay. At that point it would have been less expensive to lay out a complex of all clay courts; instead the resort opted for a handsome new pro shop with an apron of two grass, three hard, and 10 clay courts.

Overview

The resort and its residential developments now cover some 2,400 acres. It begins as a series of 20-story buildings erected just behind the high sugar-white sand dunes that line this part of the Gulf Coast. From there, the resort extends northward completely across the peninsula to Choctawhatchee Bay. Highway 98 slices through the middle, separating the smaller Beachside development from Linkside and Dockside. Among them these three developments encompass four golf courses, a fitness center with massage rooms, a marina, two complexes of shops and restaurants—the newest of them the Village of Baytowne Wharf—and more. Lodging ranges from rooms at a modest hotel to four-bedroom condos. Also within the complex is a beachfront Hilton hotel.

The opening of the Village of Baytowne Wharf in the summer of 2002 added a new dimension to this already feature-rich resort. Designed for pedestrians, this complex of shops, restaurants, night clubs, condominiums, and a convention center takes its architectural clues from all over the South. Narrow streets, their concrete embedded with sea shells, lace a village tricked out in white-washed brick, cedar, and wood painted in an array of moss green, canary yellow, blood orange, slate blue, gray, and white. There are hints of New Orleans' French Quarter in the grillwork of balconies and of Charleston in brick-lined courtyards. Arcades with ceiling fans shade cedar benches, porches have rocking chairs. Entertainers perform in the streets, clowns paint children's faces, and even many of the shopkeepers seem to have come straight from central casting right down to their appropriate costumes.

By concentrating so many diversions in one place, the village provides an alternative to the beach, including one of the best spots to watch sunsets. It has more nightlife, too, with live music at the Famous Door, a branch of the Bourbon Street landmark, dueling pianos in Rum Runners, and more than half a dozen restaurants and food outlets, including a branch of Starbucks for the latte-addicted. A free on-property shuttles make it easy to commute from the village to anywhere else within the resort, including the nearby tennis complex (though it's a mere five-minute walk away anyway).

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 850-267-7060 or 850-267-7110

The new tennis complex has also infused new life into the programs, in large measure because there are now some 320 local members—many of whom live there year round—to provide continuity. It has also given the staff people to draw on when resort guests need games.

Tennis Staff. Tennis director Chris Petty played his junior tennis in Alabama, then went on to the University of South Alabama. He's been at Sandestin since 1995 and heads a strong and personable staff.
Tennis Programs. During the busier March-to-November season, the tennis center offers one or more clinics a day, including one on playing on grass courts. The staff also runs more than half a dozen men's or women's days or mixers each week, the liveliest of them a Saturday mixer, which often attracts 35 to 40 players. There is also some kind of event each month—a tournament, round robin, exhibition, or club challenge—often geared to members but frequently open to guests. Sandestin also specializes in special packages for teams.
Courts & Fees. A gray shingled clubhouse with covered decks on both ends overlooks the courts. There are 10 clay, 3 hard, and 2 grass altogether laid out in 2s and 3s with a pond on the far side. Wooden fence posts, netting rather than chain-link fence, and newly planted palm trees, oleander, and shrubs make it a very appealing place to play. Between each pair of courts are green benches and water jugs in the shade of an overhead awning. The pro shop itself is one of the largest specialty shops in Northwest Florida and carries a full line of racquets, clothing, and accessories. Court fees: $6-$18/person/hour depending on the surface and whether you play singles or doubles.
Caveat: Check the Sandestin calendar. Some of their big weekend team tennis events tie up every court from early in the morning until 4 or 5 p.m. from Friday through Sunday noon. If an event is scheduled for the weekend you're planning to visit, phone the pro shop before making reservations to find out what impact the event may have on your ability to book court time, clinics, or lessons.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.

• "I have been twice and have had a great tine both times. The only downfall was the rain and having to wait around."—L.S., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "We stayed here for 8 days in early April with our two children. With regard to tennis, we found that resort guests were a low priority. Resort guests are limited to booking courts 11am or later using the resourt amenity card (otherwise court time was $24/hour).
  The clay courts were groomed only once in the morning, so we often found the courts to be in poor playing condition in the afternoon. They wouldn't even leave grooming equipment on the court to allow players to groom it themselves. We've been to several destination tennis resorts in Florida and this experience was the most disapointing, especially considering the relatively expensive resort setting.
  We stayed in a condo next to the beach, it was very nice and the beaches here are great. Next time we'll try Hidden Dunes or Tops'l to look for a better tennis experience."—F.Z., Adv., April 2008

• "I have been bringing tennis groups to Sandestin for several years and have found them to have excellent group clinics, arranges round robin tournaments, and great individual lessons to tune your tennis game. The pros are excellent. They give great instuction in a fun way. It's one of the best tennis resorts I have been to. I would highly recommend Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to anyone that wants to improve their tennis game and have a good time."—J.M., Adv. Int., April 2008

• ""—C.M., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "Fabulous tennis matches and staff is very professional!!! Great competition in the ladies 4.0 league from all over the south. Accomodations are great near the tennis courts or at the beach. Fun restaurants for dinner after the matches are over and some very good shopping!!!"—S.W., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "I took the family down to the beach and we stayed at the Hilton. When I say that they had tennis I took my bag along with. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the round robin becuase it was full by the time I called the pro shop, but they found me some games with other players at my 3.5 level to play against. I even played a set on the grass court which was first for me and just fun to get to say I did it.
  If your taking your family down for vacation there are plenty of activities to do from biking, kayaking, fishing, and the beach to the night life at the village for dinner, shoppping, ice cream, and some temporary tatoos for the kids. The Hilton where we stayed had three pools, a live band, and even an arcade center which worked out well one of the days it rained.
  We will be going back and bringing friends this time."—N.B., Adv. Int., February 2008

• "The time that I spent at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort's junior tennis camp was awesome. The facilities are amazing. Grass courts, hard courts , and clays courts are all available depending on your particular need. The facility is also right next to the bay. The coaches at the resort were the absolute best. They are all world class coaches and great teachers of the game. My game has improved in every aspect since attending the junior tennis camp at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. I recommend it to any tennis player who wants to improve there game."—J.D., Adv., January 2008

• "Chris Petty is a fantastic pro. He always has a game plan set before your lesson, specifically tailored to you! It's not about just getting through the hour, but really trying to make you a better tennis player. He is always in a great mood with a smile on his face. It is contagious."—T.F., Adv. Int., December 2007

• "Strengths This year is my 11th year attending the SanDestin Team Challenge. And yes, I will be back in 2008.
  Why... because the tennis facility is one of the best, the tournament is very organized, the weather is ALWAYS perfect and the pros ARE the best. They cater to us (something we are not used to) and make every single lady there feel special.
  The tournament begins on Friday. Snacks, can drinks, adult beverages are always available. There is a luncheon on Friday along with door prizes. A team party on Friday night for a couple of hours. The Village located in the center of the resort has resturants, retail and plenty more.
  The accomodations are wonderful. We always get a 3 bedroom condo within walking distance to the Tennis Courts and the Village. There is a free shuttle service should you want to ride.
  Our 3.5 ladies team plays USTA league in the Spring. We are very competitive and often the #1 team in our City. This tournament allows us to let our hair down and just have fun. Winning is secondary.... having FUN is a priority. We tried to keep this tournament as our team's little secret but, somone leaked and now anywhere from 6 to 9 teams from our city attend this tournament in November. And that's not counting the teams that go to the September Session. If you haven't attended this tournament.... You are so missing out. You keep pinching yourself to make sure it is not a dream. Warning.... it can be addictive. Weaknesses NONE"—E.B., Adv. Int., November 2007

• "GREAT TOURNAMENT - pampered by friendly staff; food, accomodations & weather couldn't have been better."—M.P., Int., November 2007

• "Professionally run tennis 3.5 competition. Well managed, well run, and lots and lots of fun. Wouldn't change a thing. Accomodations were wonderful. Weather was wonderful, staff was wonderful."—L.H., Adv., October 2007

• "3.5 Tennis Challenge at Sandestin...GREAT program, excellent organization, professional staff...highly recommend others to participate!! Ideal location for our team....perfect weather too!! Can't think of a weakness yet!!"—P.S., Adv. Int., October 2007

Other Recreation

Many activities within the resort are free to guests. That includes complimentary use of on-property transportation, bicycles, boogie boards, kayaks, canoes, and special children's, family, and teen programs. It provides one hour of free court time daily, allows adults unlimited access to the health club, and secures discounted resort rates on a variety of activities, including greens fees and additional court time.

Beach. Towering dunes, some almost 30 feet high, border a broad white-sand beach along this stretch of the Florida Panhandle. On calm days when the Gulf of Mexico is aquamarine in color the beach is even more beautiful. All of the construction within Sandestin has taken place behind the primary dune line; unfortunately, that includes nine 8-to-21-story structures that loom above the dunes and leave no illusions about the proximity of civilization. Chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, watersports equipment (including kayaks, boogie boards, and canoes) are available from a shack on the beach. Note, however, that there are no lifeguards, either here or at any of the other resorts along this coast.

Golf Courses. There are four golf courses within the resort as well as a golf learning and performance center and an 18-hole family oriented putting course designed to reflect Florida's various natural environments. All the carts have GPS systems to show your position and distance from the hole and from them you have the ability to communicate with the clubhouse for everything from dinner reservations to booking additional tee times.

Links Course: Located along Choctawhatchee Bay, this oldest and most scenic of the Sandestin courses has five holes that border the bay—wind can thus be an issue—and water on 13 of 18. Still it is manageable if you play smart golf, and it has great sunset views and opportunities to spot dolphins.
Baytowne Golf Club: These 18 holes wind through a variety of terrain, from elevated views of the Gulf of Mexico to fairways carved from pine forests. This is the most forgiving of the four, making it the best choice for high handicap golfers.
Burnt Pine Golf Club: A Rees Jones-designed private course (available to guests only on a limited basis), these 18 holes are challenging but fair. Its rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers invite golfers to craft an approach for every hole. Golf Digest named it one of the Top 30 courses in Florida.
Raven Golf Club: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed this newest of the Sandestin courses, riddling it with bunkers and fast greens.
Sandestin Golf Academy and the Hank Johnson School of Golf. Daily golf clinics and customized learn-and-play packages provide beginners and experienced golfers alike with opportunities to learn basic fundamentals, perfect their shot-making skills, and undergo supervised practice sessions to speed improvement.
The Dunes at Sandestin: An 18-hole, Astroturf putting course located just north of the beachside towers and intended for family fun.

Spa & Fitness Center. The Sandestin Health Club has three rooms: one outfitted with a selection of some two dozen pieces of cardiovascular equipment, including Nordic Tracks, treadmills, Stairmasters, and Precor Elliptical trainers. Another room holds an extensive exercise circuit of some 15 Nautilus stations as well as dumbbells and limited freeweights; and the third, an aerobics studio, is used for yoga, stretch, and exercise classes. One-on-one training is available and so are massages.

And ... Bicycles are available for use for free and there is an extensive network of bike paths connecting both sides of the resort (including a bicycle/golf cart tunnel under Hwy. 98). Kids can look forward to an ocean sailing school, a nature park, a treehouse, and nature walk. Add catch-and-release fishing, canoeing, kayaking, waverunners, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing charters, and sunset and lobster cruises and there's little reason to leave the resort—unless it's to visit the 100+-store Silver Sands factory-outlet complex 2 miles to the west.

Children's Programs

During spring break, over selected holidays, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the resort runs a half-day program for children ages 4-6 and both half-day and full-day (that is, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) programs for those ages 7-12. Activities include arts & crafts, beach and pool games, bingo, biking, fishing, scavenger hunts, and more. There is also a teen program during the summer months with volleyball on the beach, evening socials, movies, and other activities. In addition, during the summer there is a Children's Evening Out that entertains those 4-12 with games, pizza, and a movie.

Lodging

There are some 1,200 units for rent in Sandestin, including condos, villas, and homes ranging in size up to four bedrooms. There are also 175 hotel rooms available at the Bayside Inn and 600 rooms and suites at the Hilton on the beach.

Restaurants

There are nine restaurants operated by the resort and three more in the Hilton, chief among them Seagar's, a pricey but locally well regarded place for fine dining. The resort's own dining options include the upscale cuisine of Elephant Walk overlooking the beach and the sumptuous and unpretentious Bistro Bijoux in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. And between the Market Shops and Village there are more than a dozen other options, from casual snacks, ice cream, and pizza to Italian cuisine, seafood, excellent barbecue at Jim N' Nick's, and New Orleans specialties.

See Also

For comparison's sake, also check out:

• Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
• Palmetto Dunes Resort, South Carolina
• Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round but busiest from March through October. Keep in mind that even those this is Florida, this is northern Florida and winters can be chilly—too chilly for the beach but often fine for golf and tennis.

Rates. There are two options: renting a room, condo, or home through the resort itself; or renting a room at the convention-oriented Hilton.

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

Hilton Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

Rooms and suites available; rates vary seasonally. Check the website for rates for the specific dates you want to travel.

Jan.-Dec. 2008	Rooms from $109

Reservations:

• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
  9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West
  Sandestin, FL 32550
  850-267-8150
  Toll-free: 800-277-0800, x8293
  Fax: 850-267-6440
  Web Link: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
  

  NEW!

  Book Online: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
  

• Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
  4000 Sandestin Blvd. South
  Destin, FL 32550-4214
  850-267-9500
  Toll-free: 800-HILTONS
  Fax: 850-267-3076
  Web Link: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
  

  NEW!

  Book Online: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
  

Travel Instructions. By Air: The nearest airports are Okaloosa County Air Terminal in Fort Walton Beach (VPS), 30 minutes west; Panama City/Bay County International Airport (PFN), 50 minutes east; and Pensacola Regional Airport (PNS), 90 minutes west. Rental cars are available at all three.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, P.O. Box 609, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0609; phone 850-651-7131, toll-free 800-322-3319, or Fax: 850-651-7149.

Links: Home | Index | Search | Specials | Calendar | Juniors | Join Our Mailing List | Contact TRO | Site Map | Rate This Resort

Maps: Northwest | Southwest & Hawaii | Midwest & South | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | Southeast & Caribbean | Europe & North Africa

©Copyright 1999-2008 Roger Cox