The lobby lies. It doesn’t warn you how huge The Island Resort actually is. You step inside. Then you wander. I drifted from pool to pool. Lost but not stressed. Live music followed me everywhere.
The property holds 333 rooms. You’ve got Gulf View, Gulf Front, or Suite options. I took a Gulf View. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the sunrise better than any therapist ever could. A black and white beach mural hangs behind the bed. Blue umbrellas painted on the wall. Teal-framed vintage photos above the headboard. And the music. Every morning a singer performs near the beach. Their voice carries up to my balcony. I kept the door open just to listen.
Next time? I’m booking a Swim-Up Pool Deck Room. Your patio spills directly into the waterfall pool. You stay in the water while reaching for the drink. It’s efficient luxury. The Island Suite gets a nod too. It sleeps 14 people. The Tolbert family—the founders from the 1960s—lived right here. Now it’s on the third floor of the Sunset building. The deck looks over the Grotto. And the coast.
The vibe
Yoga started my day. On the Island Green. Facing the Gulf. Friday mornings in peak season. No pressure. Just begin where you are.
Then the pools. There are two. One is heated with a hot tub and cabanas. Scan a QR code on your lounger. That’s how easy it is to reserve. Why isn’t this standard?
The second pool is the Grotto. Rocks. Cascades. Disco balls. This is where you’ll find the only swim-up bar on Emerald Coast. Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day? A DJ takes over. It becomes a party. Can’t handle the noise? The calm cabana pool sits right next door.
The beach is close. Two minutes from the pools. Six hundred feet of white sand. The water is so green it earns its name. You need only a towel. For more, La Dolce Vita runs rentals. Chairs and an umbrella cost $45 to $55. Kayaks start at $40. Paddleboards jump to $80 for half a day.
Parents can actually breathe thanks to Neverland Island Kids Club. Morning session is $20 a child. Evening is $40. Crafts. Cooking. Misty the Mermaid pops by on weekends for photos. She lives at the Grotto.
There’s even a mixology class now. Bartenders teach you three drinks. You leave with recipe cards. Merch. And knowing exactly what to order next time.
Eat
Coastal Kitchen is changing. Italian is out. Southern is in. By month’s end it becomes Sea Oats Kitchen + Bar. Chef Jacob W. Childers runs the show. He’s worked for Robert Irvine. Fried green tomatoes drew eyes. Seafood gumbo did too. But I remember the black-eyed pea hummus. And the roasted beet salad. And the tabasco shrimp.
I avoid gluten and dairy. Chef Childers cooked for me. Soulful. Allergen-friendly. It worked.
Want casual? Go to Cabana Cantina & Tequileraria between the pools. Mexican food. More than 50 tequilas. The list outnumbers the food items. Sit on the patio. Close enough to the pool you don’t bother drying off. Order the fish tacos. The fish was fresh at every restaurant.
Food trucks sit near the beach entrance. Sizzle & Smash has great blackened fish and smoked tuna dip. Perfect for a hungry sunset. The Frosty Palm makes a dulce de leche shake everyone kept talking about. Yes. You can make it boozy. For a price.
Fort Walton nearby
No car? Walk as far as your feet allow in Florida heat. Spoiler. Not far.
Right next door is The Boardwalk. Waterfront dining. The Crab Trap stands out. Unpretentious. Great view. I had catch of the day on gluten-free buns. It felt caught that morning.
Ten minutes more is Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. America’s second oldest. Kids love the dolphin show. Specifically when the dolphins splash them. The C.A.R.E. Center saves sea turtles from the Gulf. You might see a rescue patient. Or Romeo. He is the oldest recorded manatee. He holds a Guinness record. As of this year.
Getting there
The resort is ten miles from Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport. Rideshares take 20 minutes in light traffic. No hotel shuttles. If you drive? Parking costs $15 daily.
