Crystal Beach Destin

Crystal Beach in Destin is aptly named for the shimmering quartz crystal sands that has started to make The Emerald Coast famed around the world. The startling, powder white shores that border the ever changing, greenish blue, jewel toned waters on the Gulf of Mexico is what is making this place famous. Located at the far western edge of Scenic Gulf Drive, the seaside neighborhood of Crystal Beach runs from Destiny all the way to the expansive Henderson Beach State Park. The convenient location is just a few blocks away from a Disney like version of a shopping village known as Destin Commons. This complex is complete with interactive fountains, restaurants, and upscale designer clothing shops. It is anchored by a giant Bass Pro Shop at one end with a Belk's Department Store on the other side. From this conveniently centralized point, The Emerald Coast Parkway leads west towards Destin in one direction and out towards Sandestin to the east. Ocean Reef is proud to offer a large variety of private vacation rental accommodations here, ranging from multi-storied, contemporary condos or mansions on the beach, to charming cottages nearby and just about everything in between! Our website can take you to all of them so that you may choose your own customized selection but three of the most popular are being featured here.

The first one is called Just in Tyme and is a fairly new addition to our selection of vacation rentals. This nostalgically inspired two story home has cottage type dormer windows, white picket fences, decorative arbors and a large private swimming pool. While the old fashioned exterior takes you back to a happy, simpler time, the modern interiors zap you back to the 21st century.   The inside is totally contemporary with etched travertine marble floors, flat screen TVs and a fabulous, state of the art kitchen. High ceilings with expansive windows and French doors let in lots of light. There is a fireplace and a large dining room table that seats eight with five more seats nearby at a spacious open bar. A tall, columned arch accents this area that looks into the kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and a separate arched bar space that conveniently connects to the living room. This first floor level also includes a Media Room with a comfortable, wrap around couch and cushioned, wicker rocker for viewing the giant flat screen TV. A well located Powder Room is nearby.

Upstairs is the handsome Master bedroom suite with a big, over stuffed King sized bed, a private bath with granite topped counters, double sinks and a large walk-in shower. There is also access to your own balcony for that early morning cup of coffee or late evening “night cap.” Two more guest bedrooms are also on this level with a large connecting bath with double sinks and a tub shower combo.

A Guest House is also on the property that is attached to the house but also has an additional separate entrance. It is decorated in cheery, yellow tones with bold red accents. The tiled floor in the sitting area leads to a cute kitchen with an adjacent breakfast bar that seats four. The main bedroom has a king sized bed with French doors that lead to your own secluded balcony which looks down upon the pool. Another bedroom in the Guest House is a kid's paradise and they may never want to leave. It has two colorful double bunk beds, one of which has a fun ladder that leads up above into a loft playroom with its own video game station.

This five bedroom, three and one half bath property can sleep up to fourteen and all in beds. It is within walking distance to the beach as well as a cafe at Camille's Restaurant where you can grab coffee or a croissant for breakfast or a wonderful dinner. More about that later.

Plantation House is another popular Destin home with five bedrooms and four and one half baths that has been recently remodeled. This three story gem has light blue exteriors with white trim. A picket fence out front is cut to look like peak topped waves and accentuates the large wrap around, railed porch supported by white columns. This breezeway is across the street from the Gulf and has wooden, slope backed seats and rocking chairs. It is a great spot to enjoy a glass of lemonade or a Margarita while you look past the line of giant Royal Palms towards the waters beyond. On the side of this home is a rectangular pool to take a private cool dip before you cook some steaks on the outdoor grill. There is a large community pool just two minutes away for more refreshing amusement.

On the first floor there is a living room with tiled floors, light blue walls and some built in bookshelves with a built-in flat screen TV. The dining area has a black table with high backed, cushioned, hip looking chairs done in a striking brown floral pattern against a white background that seats four. Three bar stools sit nearby facing the kitchen with slate gray cabinets complimented by stainless steel appliances. There is even an additional flat screen TV here which sits above a cook's corner desk.  The first floor also features the Master Bedroom with porch access. The Master Bath is quite large with a quaint but modern claw foot soaking tub, an additional walk-in shower and separate dressing area with two sinks.

Two bedrooms are upstairs on the second floor including a guest room that has King size bed and a kid’s room with 2 bunk beds, with both rooms opening up to a private balcony with views of the water and sharing a hall bath. The entire top floor is a private suite with its own bath and has unobstructed views of the Gulf in the distance from another open sun deck. If that's not enough, there is also a separate Carriage House with soaring ceilings, a comfortable living area, open kitchenette and ebony colored dining table that can seat four. The bedroom has its own bath and there is a pull out couch for the kids as well.

If you really want to splurge for that special beach wedding occasion or multifamily reunion, we also have a magnificent mansion available right on the beach. The Casa De Palmas or House of Palms, is a 5,200 square foot, five bedroom, five and one half bath home which from the beach side, looks  somewhat like a three storied Greek or Roman temple with a portico on top. The entire home is decorated with Old World gleaming Mexican Limestone flooring, granite counter tops, marbled breakfast bar, ten foot columned ceilings, beautiful multiple crown moldings, painted wall murals and unique decorative accent lighting.

The first floor has a spacious living room accented by large classical columns along with a fireplace, a built-in flat screen TV and windows that look out onto the terrace near the beach front, green hued waters. The dining room area looks out upon the same terrace but is centered on the sparkling swimming pool which comes adorned with a large Seahorse sculpture with the Gulf beyond as a perfect backdrop. A table for five sits in the center of a colorful Oriental rug which is adjacent to a long bar with large, sculpted seashell backed bar seats facing the open, state of the arts kitchen. A laundry room and elegant Powder Room are also on this level.

The sweeping stairs or the house elevator takes you to the second and third stories. First stop, the spacious Master Bedroom Suite complete with full views of the shimmering water all the way to the Southern horizon. It has a fireplace in the lounging area with, of course, a centralized placement of the flat screen TV. Doors lead out to a covered balcony for beach side gazing. The sumptuous private bath has a raised marble tub with portico views of the beach below and the waters beyond. This provides a romantic place for a bubble bath duo, (Champagne bubbles optional!)There is a separate walk in shower as well. One of the guest bedrooms is also on this floor with giant Pink Flamingos painted on the walls and also has a private bath. The top floor has two more bedroom suites with side-by -side, open sundecks and comes with awesome views of the ever changing water colors of the Gulf, especially during some of our magical sunsets here.

What makes Casa De Palmas the perfect Wedding or Reunion Mansion is that besides the main house accommodations you can also provide separate quarters for visiting friends or family in the Guest House. These special quarters on the side are also decorated with the rich amber tones of Mexican Limestone for that exotic, tropical Old World look. There is a full bedroom suite and bath, a Family Media Room with a pull out couch for the kids, a nice Galley Kitchen and an adjoining laundry room.

Three restaurants are very close by if you’re staying in Crystal Beach and all of them are right on Scenic Gulf Drive. At the far western end, where it dead ends, is the Beachwalk Cafe at the old Henderson Park Inn. This is the place to go for that special occasion, especially if it is a romantic one. The rich, award winning gourmet food is exquisite and ocean front dining doesn't get much better than this. You may eat in the gulf side dining room, on their outdoor viewing deck or right on the beach itself with lighted Tiki Torches thrust into the sand beside you. Views towards the west are totally unobstructed since this spot borders the Henderson Beach State Park and offers a great vantage point for beautiful, ethereal sunsets.

Another choice for dining is Camille's named after the Mother and Grandmother of Charles Morgan, the longtime local owner of the popular Harbor Docks and Dharma Blue restaurants. Wonderful appetizers include coconut wasabi scallops, large bacon wrapped shrimp, grilled tuna cake  and fried green tomatoes to name a few. There is also a popular, extensive Sushi Menu. Entrees include shrimp and artichoke hearts with pasta, crusted grouper, seared jumbo scallops and shrimp and the Fresh Catch of the Day which is fried, blackened or grilled. There are also yummy steaks and even some delicious, thin crust pizza if you’re in the mood. The dining area is coastal casual and decorated in vibrant Tuscan colors. There is also an outdoor covered deck if you want to dine alfresco on a lovely evening.

Another restaurant 790 on the Gulf, is located at the Inn at Crystal Beach which looks out into the Gulf. Known for their “Southern Louisiana hospitality” and Cajun inspired cuisine, they specialize in a number of different gumbos including seafood, duck, chicken, and andouille sausage varieties. The main entrees include “down home cooking” with lots of Comfort Food including New Orleans Cajun seafood specialties, fried catfish, home style chicken and even meat loaf. Ample portions, decently priced are provided in a relaxed atmosphere with watery, jewel toned southern views. If you're having fresh seafood, you may want to eat outdoors and hear the waves roll in while dining on a landscaped pool deck which looks out onto the beach below. A popular Happy Hour usually takes place here most times of the year with drink and appetizer specials.

No matter where you vacation in the crystalline enclaves of Crystal Beach Destin, here at Ocean Reef we continue to be pleasured in our service to you and yours. Whether you are old friends or new patrons, we are delighted to be able to offer these fine private residential homes and condos for lease, in order to provide that special place for your memorable family vacation. Many of you are starting to bring the “next generation” down to fill their heads with classic beach memories that will happily warm their memories forever. To those we say: “Welcome back to your home away from home!”