In April, we spent a long weekend in Florida at The Island Fort Walton Beach Resort. It was my first time in Fort Walton Beach which is about short 10-15 minute drive from Destin, Florida.
The resort recently underwent a $15+ million dollar renovation which makes its location on 600-ft. of private sugar sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico even that much more impressive! Although the weather didn’t cooperate, we made the best of our stay and enjoyed the amenities The Island and surrounding area had to offer!
We checked into our beachfront room on Thursday – our room was super nice, the bathroom was spacious and most importantly, the bed was so comfy and luxurious! It’s very rare that you come across a comfortable bed outside your own. Our beach front views were amazing as well and we enjoyed drinking our morning coffee on the front patio. When possible, I try to book rooms with beachfront views because it’s not everyday you wake up with the ocean just steps away!
Shop the look!
After we got settled, we went straight down to the beach bar – Tripp Tide Beach Bar to listen to the live music and grab a cocktail before meeting some friends for dinner. Being around live music (outdoors) after over year was so fun and even more convenient that it was just steps away from our hotel room! My drinks of choice during our stay were the paloma and pina colada – both so good and refreshing!
WHAT WE DID:
Located right in front of the Tripp Tide Beach Bar is a turfed area with cornhole boards and chairs which is spacious enough for kids to run around and adults to play a friendly game of cornhole! I’m a game girl – I love outdoor games and card games so having cornhole boards at the resort was super fun. The Island also had some tournaments over the weekend that you were able to participate in.
It rained almost the entire time we were there, but if was sunny, I would have been frequenting the grotto swim-up bar. Such a fun amenity for the adults! Even though it rained, The Island staff made sure to keep us informed of the activity changes throughout the stay, along with happy hour specials they were running (all via text – so convenient!). We went to happy hour at the Island Grille a couple of times and ordered some wine, wings and a personal pan pizza (when on vacation, right?!). We also ate at the breakfast buffet at the Island Grille one morning and it was a m a z i n g. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day, so I ended up going back for plate number too after this spread (because calories don’t count on vacation!). It was very convenient to have places to eat at the resort – which were all good and affordable!
Shop the look!
Below is a list of some of the amenities and dining options at the resort. To save 20% off of your stay, click the below link and use code SOCI (20% off) with the following link – https://cli.re/ozqqDq at checkout.
AMENITIES:
- 329 Rooms (ours was beach front – highly recommend!)
- Two pools (one is heated!)
- Outdoor Hot Tub
- Iconic Grotto swim-up bar (hello adult cocktails!)
- Beach Chair + Umbrella Rental
- Access to a Fitness Center
- Daily live music entertainment at sunset by the Tripp Tide Bar
- Free parking
- Gift shop at The Island Market
- Other activities (weather permitting) include the following: free yoga session to guests on the Island Green, Pool Party DJ (Every Thursday – Saturday) , we have a live DJ on the pool deck to play your favorite songs, dive in movies by the Cabana Pool and visits by mermaid Misty who meets and greets guests at the Grotto or Cabana pool.
ONSITE DINING:
- Island Fish House
- Island Grille
- Tripp Tide Beach Bar
- Grotto Swim-Up Bar
- The Island Coffee Truck
I am very much looking forward to making another trip to The Island – hopefully sans rain in the near future! Let me know if you have any questions about the resort/area! Oh and don’t forget to use the following link and code to get 20% off of your stay: SOCI (20% off) with the following link – https://cli.re/ozqqDq at checkout.
XO,
leave a comment