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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.)

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

4-star Resort with prices starting at $361 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
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Located at 4000 Sandestin Boulevard South, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has great rooms from $361 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.70 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 10.1 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love parking, a kid-friendly buffet, child care, laundry services, and golf at this relaxing hotel. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club
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Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $138 (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.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
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A great place to stay is Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard which has nice rooms starting at $138. Offering an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, snorkeling, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 8.70 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 100 Grand Boulevard. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers hiking, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, golf, and a hot tub which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 10.5 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
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Henderson Beach Resort

5-star Resort with prices starting at $462 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
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We found Henderson Beach Resort to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $462. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 200 Henderson Resort Way. You'll also find scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, parking, and laundry services which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 0 miles from the center of town. The heated pool is comfortable, relaxing, and fun for everyone.

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


Hampton Inn & Suites Destin

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $210 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
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With terrific rooms from $210, Hampton Inn & Suites Destin, at 1625 Highway 98 East provides an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. Its terrific guest rating is 8.60 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers breakfast, laundry services, golf, pet-friendly rooms, and a child pool. It's located just 1.5 miles from the city center, too. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and so is the food. 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
  • Breakfast included
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Infinity pool
  • Saltwater pool
View Prices and Reviews


Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Majestic Sun

3-star Resort with prices starting at $242 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Destin
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Beach
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Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Majestic Sun has a great guest rating of 8.40 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a fitness center, parking, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes. The great rooms here start at $242 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 77 Seascape Drive. Furthermore, it also offers golf, a hot tub, a game room, a spa, and an indoor pool, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 7.7 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
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Kitchenette
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Table tennis
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Fitness room
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $166 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Beach
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The great guest rating of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin is 8.30 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, laundry services, golf, and a free breakfast. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $166, and it's located at 19001 Emerald Coast Pkwy. We also love the an indoor pool, free parking, laundry facilities, bicycle rental, and a multi-lingual staff which are great for visitors. And since it's just 3 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. The indoor pool at this hotel is very nice, and is a great place to unwind and relax on your trip. 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
  • Outdoor pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


SummerPlace Inn

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $131 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Destin
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool
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A cool place is SummerPlace Inn because it has great rooms that start at $131. It has an outdoor pool, a fitness center, laundry services, a hot tub, and an indoor pool, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 14047 Emerald Coast Parkway. Only 1.9 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love free parking, laundry facilities, bicycle rental, family rooms, and a heated pool at this convenient hotel. 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
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Woodland Shores by Panhandle Getaways

3-star Resort with prices starting at $221 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
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Woodland Shores by Panhandle Getaways offers an outdoor pool, a water park, scuba diving, snorkeling, and hiking which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $221 (before taxes). It's located at 241 Ellis Street and has earned a guest rating of 9.20/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers rooms with kitchens, golf, bowling, free parking, and horse riding which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 6.7 miles from the city center. Spending time at the water park is such a nice activity for kids and adults alike! 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
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Hiking
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Beachside Inn

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $295 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Destin
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
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Located at 2931 Scenic Hwy. 98, Beachside Inn has great rooms from $295 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, snorkeling, a bar, and hiking. It has a terrific 9.00 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find rooms with kitchenettes, golf, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, and a spa which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 4.2 miles from the center of town. We find the kitchenette here to be a great way to get a good breakfast and save time and money.

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


Bay Club of Sandestin a VRI resort

3-star Resort with prices starting at $172 (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.
  • Beach
View Prices on Kayak
See Location

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A great place to stay is Bay Club of Sandestin a VRI resort which has nice rooms starting at $172. Offering an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes, it also has a great guest rating of 8.90 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 120 Sandestin Blvd. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers laundry services, golf, a spa and wellness center, free parking, and laundry facilities. It's located just 9.4 miles from the city center, too. Having a kitchen means that you'll be able to cook, which is very convenient when you're on the road. 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
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Fitness room
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola Beach.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Destin, make sure you also see Best Beach Hotels in Destin, 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 Hotels for Scuba Diving in Destin.


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

Destin Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$241

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 18 hotels is an affordable $241. 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: $462
  • 4-star hotels: $342
  • 3-star hotels: $242
  • 2-star hotels: $170


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