Course REVIEW
Panhandle Resort at a Glance
- Destin's Sandestin Resort
Shane Sharp Editor
The Resort
One of the most popular resorts on the Florida panhandle, the Sandestin presents visitors with more options than a hot tech stock. Patrons can choose between bedding down at the Bayside Inn, or opting for something more private in the resort's numerous condos and villas. Just here for the golf? No problem - take out one of Sandestin's fairway villas and roll right out of the rack and onto the first tee.
Golf
Not to exclude those who choose not to chase the little white ball around, but the Sandestin is all golf, and if you don't play then the resort's four championship courses may just change you mind. Four days, 72 holes, and you don't even have to leave the property.
The Burnt Pine course is a Rees Jones design that has been referred to by Golf Magazine as the "Crown Jewel of Florida Golf." The Raven, the much anticipated Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout, will open this spring, and the Links and Baytowne courses will finish off your stay with solid coastal golf.
With the addition of the Raven, Sandestin will become the only resort in the country with both a Rees and Robert Jr. designed course.
Amenities
It starts with the powdery white sands of the gulf coast, but doesn't come anywhere close to ending there. Guests at most of the Sandestin's quarters have access to complimentary bicycle rentals, boogie boards, kayaks and health club use. Did we mention that there were four golf courses?
You've Gotta Be Kidding Me
As if it wasn't enough that you don't have to leave the resort to play four different golf courses, Sandestin offers as many waterholes as some town in the panhandle. Riptide at the beach serves sandwiches and cold beer, and features barstools that were actually fighting chairs from the decks of fishing boats. Bevvies, Nourishment, Governor's Attic and Tusk which offer frozen drinks, grilled fare, panoramic view of the Gulf and upscale food, respectively. Fine Dinning is available at the Elephant Walk - Sandestin's signature restaurant, which derives its name from a 1954 Elizabeth Taylor film.
The Deal
Sandestin Resort
9300 Hwy 98 West
Destin, FL 32541
USA
Price Range: $150-$500 for lodging
$57-$119 for golf
