North America / North America Hotels / United States of America Hotels / Destin Hotels /

The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Destin

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Destin

Destin, Florida Destin, Florida

Visiting Destin, Florida for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Destin, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Destin based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Destin for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Destin before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Destin for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Destin for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $343 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

View more photos

Located at 200 Henderson Resort Way, The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa has great rooms from $343 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 9.00 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 3.9 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, parking, and laundry services at this relaxing hotel. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club
View Prices and Reviews


View hotels on the map:

Harbor Suites at Harborwalk Village

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $287 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Destin
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

View more photos

A great place to stay is Harbor Suites at Harborwalk Village which has nice rooms starting at $287. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and snorkeling, it also has a great guest rating of 8.70 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 34 Harbor Boulevard. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, parking, city views, a hot tub, and a spa which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 1 miles from the city center. Everyone loves a nice pool, and you won't be disappointed with this one. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar Beach

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $193 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

View more photos

We found Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar Beach to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $193. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.70 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 570 Scenic Gulf Drive. You'll also find laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, free parking, and laundry facilities which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 8.3 miles from the center of town. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Hampton Inn & Suites Destin

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $166 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

View more photos

With terrific rooms from $166, Hampton Inn & Suites Destin, at 1625 Highway 98 East provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and golf. Its terrific guest rating is 8.50 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers pet-friendly rooms, a child pool, free parking, laundry facilities, and bicycle rental. It's located just 2.2 miles from the city center, too. After a busy day, the heated pool is a nice place to unwind. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool
View Prices and Reviews


The Palms of Destin-2116

3-star Resort with prices starting at $313 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Destin
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

The Palms of Destin-2116 has a great guest rating of 9.30 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. The great rooms here start at $313 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 4207 Indian Bayou Trail. Furthermore, it also offers a bar, rooms with kitchens, a hot tub, a spa, and a child pool, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 2.4 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Having a hot tub at this hotel is also a nice splurge.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Kids' club
View Prices and Reviews


Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $195 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

The great guest rating of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is 8.10 out of 10. This place has a restaurant, scuba diving, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, and child care. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $195, and it's located at 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West. We also love the laundry services, golf, a hot tub, a game room, and a child pool which are great for visitors. And since it's just 9.9 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. We always love being able to prepare simple meals in a hotel room, and the kitchenette here was teriffic. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
View Prices and Reviews


Silver Dunes D206- The Salty Seahorse

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $337 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Destin
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

A cool place is Silver Dunes D206- The Salty Seahorse because it has great rooms that start at $337. It has an outdoor pool, snorkeling, rooms with kitchens, a game room, and free parking, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.99 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 1030 Us Highway 98. Only 1.7 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love a heated pool, tennis, air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk, and a microwave at this convenient hotel. Having a kitchen in the room is a great way to make meals and save money, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
More Great Amenities
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Pelican Beach Resort 801

3-star Resort with prices starting at $363 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

Pelican Beach Resort 801 offers an outdoor pool, snorkeling, rooms with kitchens, a game room, and an indoor pool which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $363 (before taxes). It's located at 1002 U.s. 98 and has earned a guest rating of 9.30/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers free parking, a heated pool, tennis, air-conditioning, and a 24-hour desk which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 1.4 miles from the city center. Having an indoor pool means that you can swim and have fun any time of the year.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Palms Resort #2713 Jr. 2br

3-star Resort with prices starting at $253 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Destin
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

Located at 4201 Indian Bayou Trail, Palms Resort #2713 Jr. 2br has great rooms from $253 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, snorkeling, rooms with kitchens, city views, and free parking. It has a terrific 9.30 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a heated pool, tennis, air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk, and a microwave which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 2.4 miles from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
More Great Amenities
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Beachside Inn

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $218 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
View Prices on Kayak Hidden Price
(Click to Reveal)
Location on Map

A great place to stay is Beachside Inn which has nice rooms starting at $218. Offering an outdoor pool, a restaurant, snorkeling, a bar, and hiking, it also has a great guest rating of 9.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 2931 Scenic Highway 98. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers rooms with kitchenettes, child care, golf, pet-friendly rooms, and a hot tub. It's located just 4.2 miles from the city center, too. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the first time trip hotels in nearby destinations: Panama City Beach, Destin, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Miramar Beach.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Destin, make sure you also see Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Destin, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Destin, Best Hotels for One Week in Destin, Best Hotels for One Night in Destin, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Destin, or Best Business Hotels in Destin.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Destin?

Destin Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$310

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Destin, Florida. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Destin, Florida based on data from 40 hotels is an affordable $310. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Destin.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $343
  • 4-star hotels: $346
  • 3-star hotels: $316
  • 2-star hotels: $214


Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
Share This Page

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.