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Disclosure: My son and I were invited to the to Hilton Sandestin resort and expenses were paid, but as always, all opinions are my own and honest. I was not required nor paid to write this review.

A few weeks ago, my 5 year old and I paid a visit the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Florida. Located on the Emerald Coast of Florida, on the panhandle, this is a great hotel to check out if you are looking to spend some time with the family. Escaping the cold here in NJ, we were thrilled to reach the beautiful beaches of the Florida coast, where the images we had seen on the website did not do any justice. (There were also sliding glass doors in every room leading to a balcony outside- the views for sunrise and sunset were lovely.)

5:45 am, sunrise

Upon walking into the room, we were immediately met with something that my son just adores- bunk beds! The top bunk is designed with safety in mind, having a build in safety bar (so there will not be any late-night roll offs onto the floor). Right away, I knew the room and resort would be kid friendly, and my son felt at home and at ease. There is a TV in that area of the room, should you want your children to be able to watch some cartoons at the end of the day while you watch your show in the other area (or unpack, read, check email, send photos, etc). That little bit of separation can be life-saving on family vacations, when at times the family makes you want to tear your hair out. A little space can let everyone breathe and be alone for just a few moments. Also in the room were a small refrigerator and microwave, which again adds convenience for the little things, or if you have a baby on formula or for storing breast milk.

Another saving idea is the bathroom- which has the full barrage of what you would expect in a bathroom. The tub was also very clean- and most of you know how I feel about hotel tubs 🙂 But outside the bathroom door was a second sink and mirror, which is great for families who are all getting ready at the same time. Several people can get ready at once, brush teeth, do hair, go to the potty, take a shower, blow dry their hair- whatever works for them at that time. This is a real time saver and great idea. There is a blow dryer attached to the wall as well for your convenience.

The resort is directly on the beach, which any parent will tell you is a huge plus. No need to lug all your gear and toys all up and down, just a few steps to the sand. If you prefer, you can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas from the resort (which they will set up for you) or you can bring your own. There are also several pools to choose from outside, another inside- as well as a hot tub both outdoor and another indoors. There are outdoor shaded cabanas to rent if you would like to, as well as plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas situated all about the pools. There is also a fire pit near the center of the deck, near the Barefoot Bar and Grill, which was really nice as it cooled down at night.

This is a full resort, you don’t need to leave it to have a full and relaxing vacation if you don’t want to. There are many restaurants, pools, shops, lounges, even a spa to spend the day relaxing. If your kids are small, there is the Kids Krew, where they can spend the day doing fun activities under the watchful eye of the engaged staff. Perhaps you and dad need a break from the kids, or they want one from you 🙂 Located in the lower level of the hotel, this program offers a variety of different programs and activities for kids ages 5-12. My son, one of the youngest at 5, had a great time on a spy hunt, decorating a Kids Krew t-shirt and Frisbee, and having pizza and milk with his new buddies. You can also get in-room babysitting, but you need to call to arrange it with the front desk.

The spa services at the Serenity by the Sea Spa were top notch, and were great for relaxing (as they should be!) The spa smelled wonderful, and had a calm atmosphere. If you came early, you could spend some time in the jacuzzi or hot tub, or perhaps having some snacks and tea. Alternately, you could stay after your appointment to do so. In the locker rooms (separated by gender)you will receive a plush robe and slippers to wear while you are at the spa, and it really does help you get “into the mood” of winding down. You can get massages, facials, manicures- you name it.

There are beach activities for the kids, from sandcastle building to Kids Krew to the Sunny the Sea Turtle contest (which is a really cute way for families to get involved together for a chance to win prizes) that will keep them busy and happy. And when you all get hungry? There are tons of dining options to choose from, anything from fine dining to grab-an-go.

The hotel has six fantastic, and very different restaurants, so you are sure to find things you love. The breakfast buffet was also amazing, with several aisles of options and something to please even the pickiest of eaters. You can also order at your table for full service. The Barefoot Grill right by the pool I found to be the most convenient, and it had lots of options. There was also a Starbucks, and Edy’s Ice Cream shop, and many more choices.

The next time you are looking to get away from it all, take the family and book a trip to the Hilton Sandestin. There are some great deals going on right now, such as this one-

To learn more about the Hilton Sandestin, make sure to follow them on their social media channels:

• Hilton Sandestin on Twitter: http://twitter.com/hiltonsandestin
• Hilton Sandestin on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Sandestin
• Hilton Sandestin Website: http://www.sandestinbeachhilton.com/