Looking for a great girls' getaway that's not too far away?
Published: April 29, 2017
By: Carol Muse Evans
Look no further than the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in the heart of the Florida panhandle – and all the fun.
Everyone loves the Florida panhandle, but there’s something extraordinary about the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in the Miramar Beach area, just east of Destin. It’s more than a hotel, and offers the best of both worlds – an upscale hotel with many condominium amenities. The advantages to staying in this hotel are great restaurants, swimming pools including an indoor pool and hot tubs, a spa on site, coffee shop, and all the benefits of room service, hotel transportation, and daily maid service – sitting right on the silver sands of the Florida panhandle. (Did I mention beach service, too?)
No girls’ getaway is complete without a spa service, and Hilton’s Serenity by the Sea was top notch. Go in for one special treat, like a massage or facial, or spend the entire day here. There are manicures, pedicures, hand and foot treatments, waxing, salon and color services and even makeup design and services. Ask about having lunch at the spa! Memberships are also available. See more at http://www.serenitybytheseaspa.com.
Whether you are looking for a girls’ getaway, or time with family, friends or kids, there is something for everyone here. Don’t miss the terrific swimming pools at this resort, complete with a poolside restaurant, Barefoot’s Beachside Bar and Grill, great for eating lunch or a fruity drink or special treat throughout the day. Be sure to have at least having one dinner at Seagar’s for prime steaks and seafood. This restaurant has earned AAA’s four-diamond rating for 15 consecutive years. It offers more than 600 different labels from the wine cellar, and extraordinary desserts, too. It is great especially for a parents’ night out or a girls’ getaway special evening.
If you want something a bit more casual, try Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge, where Chef Julio Lucero uses local ingredients infused into delicious coastal recipes. Have a big buffet breakfast here in the morning, something simple from the coffee shop on site, or take advantage of the microwave and fridge in your room to prepare your own breakfast. Love Sushi? Try the Hilton’s Hadashi Sushi Bar located within the Sandcastles Lounge.
On my girls’ getaway here, we ventured off site for several fun activities. Eden Gardens State Park was fun and beautiful (http://www.floridastateparks.org) and brought history and nature together nicely. Spend several hours or make a short visit here. Free admission; admission charged for the home tour.
Try your hand at creating art at Shard Art (www.shardshop.com). I was skeptical. I’m not very artsy. However, this was so much fun to create a work of art with a little help or a lot of help from the folks there who create beautiful pieces from bits and pieces of colored and clear glass. Copy something on display in the shop, use a stencil or create your own piece from your imagination. Check the website for pricing. Classes are also available.
No girls’ trip can be complete for me without a trip to the Silver Sands Premium Outlets (http://www.premiumoutlets.com) With great stores like Vera Bradley, Coach, Columbia, Disney, Eddie Bauer, Harry & David, Saks Fifth Avenue/Off Fifth, and many eateries and other great stores, you could spend an entire day here, or simply dash into one special store for what you need. They’ve worked hard to keep this outlet center current, and it shows.
While this filled my weekend at the Hilton Sandestin, there’s so much more to see and do. With children in the mix, you can find all sorts of fun things to do at the resort or off site, and their concierge will help you. If you want a little getaway while visiting with children, a seasonal kids club the Hilton offers such as Kids Krew or Kids Night Out might be just the ticket for a night out. Ask the hotel to organize a bonfire for you, make a picnic, make s’mores, roast marshmallows and other great services. Inquire with the concierge for all the special offerings. And of course, there’s nothing more special than what lies right outside your door – the beautiful white beach and Gulf of Mexico.
For more information on the Hilton Sandestin, visit http://www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com.
Carol Muse Evans is editor and publisher of Birmingham Parent.