Ideas for place to stay in Destin next week

[joe_tucker]

My wife and I are going to head down to Destin from Nashville on Wed. of next week through next sunday (10/8 - 10/12). Any ideas on a nice beachfront place to stay? I'm not familiar with the area. Also, I'm wanting to see the Oriskany and would love a referral to a dive operator in the area.

Thanks.

Joe

 

[mike_s]

Joe...

Destin is a great place, but it's occupied by about 90% condos and not many hotels.

There are very few hotels on the beach. (directly on the beach) and for waht they cost for an "oceanfront room" you can rent a condo for the same price (or cheaper).

Hotels "directly" on the beach are Holiday Inn, Hilton (San Destin), etc. but be warned that they all have non oceanfront rooms also.

Most of the condo reservations are monoloplized by a company called Resort Quest down there. They used to be great when they were Abbott Realty, but once Resort Quest bought them, they have added a lot of "fees". But not many other choices.

you can always find something on VRBO.com, but I've not had the best of luck getting quick responses from the owners when I want to book something, or get tired of having to call them 3 times only to find out they are already booked, etc...

do you want condo or hotel? (lets start there).

As for dive operators, in Destin you've only got Scubatech and Emerald Coast Scuba. I've had better experiences with Scubatech (my opinion). But both operators are know for being wimpy if the waves are up and also for going to the same sites over and over again.

 

[Diveral]

Try these folks: Sea Oats Motel & Management Company

Wifey and I stayed with them back in the spring. Nothing fancy but it's a nice place on the beach and conveniently located. Go down 98 towards Seaside and eat at the Donut Hole for Breakfast. You will not regret it.

Here's another place, they're on the bay: Aunt Martha's Bed and Breakfast

I really like diving the Oriskany with Gary: Gary's Gulf Divers, Full Service Dive Shops, Orange Beach, Alabama

He might be too much of a drive for you so here's another: MBTDivers - Pensacola, Florida - SCUBA Equipment,SCUBA Instruction, Dive Charters, Wreck Diving, Spearfishing, Gulf Coast Dive Shop

And another: Dive Pros

Tell the truth I've heard good things about almost all of the oriskany operators. Try the Oriskany all inclusive sticky at the top of this forum.

Have fun

AL

 

[mike_s]

Try these folks: Sea Oats Motel & Management Company

Wifey and I stayed with them back in the spring. Nothing fancy but it's a nice place on the beach and conveniently located. Go down 98 towards Seaside and eat at the Donut Hole for Breakfast. You will not regret it.

Sea Oats is ok, but it's not on the luxury end. They are selling the complex I hear, sadly to put in nother "tall condo".

But that is one of the prettiest sections of beach in Destin (Crystal Beach) in my opinion. We like to stay at Crystal Sands just down from Sea Oats.


We try to stay away from the "tall or highrise" condos in Destin. You spent too much time trying to find a parking place and walking forever to ride an elevator to get to your room. the smaller complexes are much quieter and nicer, but you might not have as fancy of a pool, etc.