February 16, 2004 - Cutting more than halfway across southern Alabama, Florida's Panhandle region was largely undiscovered by vacationers other than neighboring tourists from Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana until recently. Still the crowds are sparser than anything you'll find in southern Florida, the beaches are relatively pristine with fine white sands and you get the added bonus of being able to see both sunrises and sunsets since it all faces south.
One of the Florida Panhandle's most popular getaway destinations is the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, which boasts powdery white sand in summer and golf in winter. Recently, this big property (2,400 acres with 7.5 miles of beach and bay front property, over 1,000 rooms) has come up with seven kinds of packages for the rest of 2004, with seven seasonal dates setting the price ranges. Most interesting right now are the spring rates, which are good from February 26 through March 24 and again from April 18 through May 26. All packages represent a savings of 20% off their rack rates, the management says.
Their most basic package is the Rise & Shine, which includes lodging at the Bayside Inn with a resort view and daily breakfast buffet for two adults; one hour of tennis court time on one of 15 courts; use of health club; and free rental of bikes, canoes, kayaks and boogie boards. That goes for $125 in the spring season and again in the late summer from August 8 to September 5. You can upgrade to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for $180 per night.
Two adults and two children get a Family Fun package, with lodging in a two-bedroom classic condo and big breakfast buffet, for $208 in spring and late summer. The kids should be under 11 to get this rate with you. There are additional packages for surfers and golfers, prices per couple starting at $294 in spring and late summer. Contact Sandestin Resort at 800/470-7389 or visit www.sandestin.com/pr.asp. For our independent review of the property, go to .
If you prefer independent living, consider visiting the website of Ocean Reef Resorts, which lists some 13 beach houses and many more condos and resort lodging opportunities. They're running two specials that sound good to me. The first is a Rent 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free offer, applying to all condos and town homes. This special is valid only for arrival dates through February 25. A second deal, called the Welcome Back Special, is good only for returning guests, (those who have stayed in any of the Ocean Reefs properties from January 1 to September 22, 2003). You get a 15% discount off all their properties now, but it applies only to bookings for arrival between now and February 29. It doesn't apply to monthly rentals, only nightly and weekly rates.
In addition to these two blanket specials, the firm is offering 10% off their condos at Gulfside @ Hidden Dunes. You must stay a minimum of four nights, and book to arrive before March 13, 2004. A "featured home of the week" at time of writing was the Cottage Beignet, where 20% off was being advertised. Same minimum and dates as for the condos just mentioned. For all this, go to www.oceanreefresorts.com/specials/specials_text.html or phone 800/782-8736.
For general information on the Destin area, go to www.destin-fwb.com and our own independent coverage starting at www.frommers.com/destinations/destinandfortwaltonbeach. In addition to rental information, you can find reviews of local restaurants and shopping.
Do you have suggestions about visiting Florida's Panhandle? Tell us on our Message Boards today.