An Off-Season Overnight Trip to Destin, Florida

Isn’t it funny how something occasionally comes along at just the right moment? Such was the case before the cold weather set in. We were “waxing nostalgic” for the Florida Panhandle (re: The ReView, February 7, 2008) and thumbing through a Budget Travel magazine. There it was: The Beachside Inn in Destin for only $79.00 a night.

First, a word about Destin lodging. Destin lodging can be fairly reasonable if you have built up a billion points with certain hotel chains, or if you shop for prices in an obsessive manner, or if you travel in the off season. Prices aren’t really ranked as “affordable” if you stay in the Beach-Front Hilton King Kamehameha Rockefeller/Kennedy Arabian Prince Luxury Resort & Suites in the middle of July.

The Beachside Inn, while not the Hilton King Kamehaha, is a real good place, not too long removed from the mom-and-pop genre, 2 stories and 20 extra large rooms in all, with high ceilings and impeccable customer service. It’s right across the road from the blinding white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s located on the corner of Scenic 98 (one of the best beach drives in the Panhandle) and Hutchinson Street, in an area of Destin known as Crystal Beach. An excellent paved bike trail goes right by the hotel. Destin Commons, the best shopping spot in the Panhandle, is only a block or two away.

We had a good stay at the Beachside Inn in October 2006; Judy still claims it is the site of her favorite mini-vacation. The secret of the Beachside Inn is not really the location, or the oversized rooms, or the choice of two restaurants. It’s their one-of-a-kind dynamo of a manager, still toting a distinct British accent, and full of vim, vinegar, and a keen sense of humor. Eunice Hemsley, a native of Nottingham, England, just about carries the whole hotel on her petite shoulders.

After a pleasant phone conversation with Eunice and making arrangements for one night, I called Judy and advised her that we wouldn’t be staying at the Budget Banshee Motor Court in Burnt Stack, Alabama, after all. She seemed thrilled.

We arrived on the appointed date, before the official check-in time. No problem, for there was no crowd at the motel, or anywhere in Destin for that matter. After tossing our dab of luggage in the room, we got the bikes off of the truck, and away we went. The weather on that early December weekend was absolutely gorgeous; not too hot and not too cold, and barely a wispy cloud in the sky.

We did a little beach side touring, then headed north until we reached “Regular” 98. We turned west and followed the bike path that parallels Regular 98 all the way to Henderson Beach State Park. It was our lucky day. We got an impromptu two-for-one special. All it took was a lone wrinkled $1.00 bill to get us both in. We rode through the lush coastal forest and looked at all the campers and pavilions.

It was getting time for supper. We got a menu at the newly-opened Trader Vic’s, affixed it to the frame of my bicycle, and cycled back to the Beachside Inn. We decided to ditch Trader Vic’s until another time, and motored on over to Pompano Joe’s.

Pompano Joe’s is on Scenic 98, right on the beach, and nearly in the ocean. We took a seat (no waiting) with an open window and a gulf view. The sun was going down as we eased the last bits of seafood into our gullets. We got a great picture. A trip to Silver Sands Factory Stores and Destin Commons rounded out our busy, yet satisfying day.

After 10 full hours of deep restful sleep, we were sure that we had made the right choice for an overnighter. We were in no particular rush to get back home. We got up late, read, and enjoyed every morsel of our breakfast at Camille’s Coffee Shop. We actually knew we had eaten. We enjoyed quiet conversations amongst ourselves and occasionally with the café hostess. Eunice also made a brief visit during her morning rounds. We’ve got to get back down there before March 31st when the rates go back up.

Beachside Inn, Destin, Florida. 1-888-232-2498. Ask for Eunice. Tell her you read it in the ReView. Enjoy!

Published on Saturday, February 9, 2008