Posted on 2/14/2015By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team

Beach vacations are always wonderful but they are especially grand if you are fortunate enough to stay in a magnificent mansion that sits right on the glistening gulf. This is particularly true if you have a large family or big group of friends joining you to relish this amazing experience. The occasion might be for a special birthday, a hallmark anniversary, a business retreat, a retirement party or just a memorable family vacation. You need a big house for such occasions and Ocean Reef Resorts has two new luxurious beachfront vacation homes that should be of particular interest.

Le Sable Chateau is a glorious beachfront estate that has six bedrooms and can accommodate up to seventeen guests.  This regal residence is well-located in the prestigious Dunes of Destin community, which happens to be in the heart of Destin itself. However this exclusive neighborhood is so tucked away that many visitors are not even aware of its location, which is just an arrow's shot away from Holiday Isle. This chateau proudly soars above the private sugar white sand beach and jewel toned waters of the gulf to a height of four stories. It offers over 4,600 square feet of gracious living space.

The first floor level has large family room area decorated in a colorful Floridian flair for style that provides a laid back feel. There is a queen sized sleeper sofa here that faces a flat screen TV. The full bath room here conveniently serves as a dressing room and glass doors lead out to the private patio that adjoins a refreshing plunge pool. Upstairs on the second level is the main living and dining room area, a big open kitchen and a Media Room. Multiple windows frame the spectacular outdoor scenery and glass doors lead out onto one of the balconies where you may enjoy these same views first hand. This spacious open room is simultaneously both elegant and hospitable. A wall of custom cabinetry has a long counter with a built in Wet Bar. This sits right next to the marble mantled fireplace, above which sits a TV for that "must see" game. On the other side of the room is a large open kitchen decorated with charming French Country styled cabinetry and a counter bar with mottled mocha granite. This faces the formal dining room that sits beside windows overlooking the gulf. A glass topped rectangular table with six chairs sits beneath a vintage European styled chandelier.

The Master Bedroom and other five Guest Bedrooms are all upstairs on the third and fourth floor levels. Three of these bedrooms are beachfront suites because they come with a private bath and have access to wonderful breezy balconies. The Master Suite is quite opulent with a European styled king sized bed next to a giant window that looks out across the gulf. High ceilings enhance the spaciousness of this room that has soaring arches, architectural niches and a separate sitting area that includes a creamy white queen sized sleeper sofa. This faces a marble encased fireplace with a wide screen TV right above it. Built-in cabinetry includes a Wet Bar for late evening cocktails. The big bathroom is gorgeous with steps that lead up to the garden tub and a handsome separate glassed in shower. There is a four posted king sized bed in another Guest Suite that has full gulf views and it has a luxurious bath that includes a raised corner bubbling spa type tub. There is a queen sized bed providing charming guest quarters that are decorated in vibrant raspberry sherbet colors. Two other bedrooms are perfect for kids. One of them has colorful twin bunks and a delightful hand painted mural on the wall depicting an undersea scene. The other has twin beds decorated in patriotic colors and has a nautical theme. This room also has doors that lead out onto one of the beautiful beachfront balconies. Although this home is nestled apart in a world of its own, it is only a few minutes away from popular local restaurants, grocery stores, family amusement parks and the bustling Destin Marina at Harborwalk Village.

In magical Miramar Beach we offer another luxurious beachfront vacation home which surpasses expectations and is called Castle in the Sand. This expansive, hospitable home sits right on the sugary white sand beach in the prestigious gated community of Shipwatch, which is snuggled between a lovely lagoon and the glorious gulf. The sought after location right off Scenic Gulf Drive places you only minutes away from popular beachfront restaurants, a host of retail venues, grocery stores, and wine outlets. However once you get here you may never want to leave.

This marvelous residence has six bedrooms with the ability to sleep up to fourteen and has tons of space for leisurely lounging since it towers five stories tall. One word describes this home best… "Wow!"  It has a very warm ambiance that immediately embraces you with sunny bright windows, comfortable furnishings and refined tasteful décor with a superb attention to details. The floor plan is distinctly multi-faceted and gracious. The open main living area has a long plush wrap around couch that faces an elegant fireplace with en exquisitely carved formal mantle. A flat screen TV sits nearby for evening entertainment or favorite sport game events. Just beyond it opens into a wonderful separate Sun Room with four comfortable armchairs that sit around a rectangular cocktail table. Three walls of floor to ceiling windows make this the perfect spot to visit while enjoying drinks as you gaze out upon the sun dappled emerald hued waters of the gulf. On the other side of this Great Room there is a regal dining table next to another row of windows. The light open state of the arts kitchen has charming custom cabinetry and a wraparound granite counter top. A unique tile topped connecting table extends off the end of the kitchen counter. This makes a great breakfast bar, "kid's table" or a just a convenient place to lay out favorite tropical drinks. You may also enjoy the gulf views while listening to the soothing surf sounds outdoors. There you will find a covered columned porch with gray slate floors and teakwood patio furniture where you may relish the gulf air and sensational scenery. Stairs graciously lead down to a lush lawn that borders gentle sand dunes that are studded with Sea Oats. A white ribbon trail of sugary sand takes you to your own private beach. Besides swimming in the luminescent waters of the gulf you may also take a refreshing dip in this home's private lap pool complete with a patio and grill. Just inside steps away from the pool area is a charming Guest Bedroom with a queen sized bed that is on this same level.

The third floor includes three guest rooms with gleaming hardwood floors, tasteful decorations and soft soothing pastel colors. One of them has a queen sized bed while the other has a king and both have access to the beachfront balcony on this level. Charming decorative metal framed twin beds provide sleeping quarters in the other bedroom. The fourth floor has the spacious Master Bedroom Suite that has a four posted king sized bed, a Wet Bar and a wall of windows that provides a pelican's eye view across the gulf. A wide elegant columned arched portal leads to a Sun Room which serves as the Master Suite's sitting area. It has four comfortable, tastefully checkered high backed armchairs and three sets of windows to enjoy the sunny views. Doors lead out to your own private balcony which encourages a lot of romance when a magical full moon sparkles directly over the water in the summertime or when the sun sets in spectacular fashion into the western gulf during the winter months. The bathroom en suite defines true luxury. This spacious bath has a raised garden tub, a separate shower and two individual classic pedestal sinks. There is also a lovely Guest Bedroom on this level with a queen sized bed.

The entire top fifth floor level has an Entertainment Room along with a Kitchenette, Wet Bar and a full bathroom. There is plenty of room to lay out favorite drinks and appetizers. A comfortable couch, (that doubles as a queen sized sleeper sofa in case you want to turn this into an amazing guest suite), and an armchair face a flat screen TV for viewing pleasure. The expanse of this open space is enhanced by a vaulted cathedral ceiling above and a row of windows that spans the entire width of wall that overlooks the gulf. Glass doors lead out onto an open roof top Observation Sun Deck with lounge chairs facing the spectacular southerly views.

Again, you may not want to leave this heavenly paradise but if you do you'll be minutes away from fine dining, friendly bars, boutique shopping and family amusements. These may be found along Scenic Gulf Drive as well as in nearby Baytowne Wharf and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Championship golf and professional tennis courts are also close by at Seascape where Ocean Reef Resort guests receive special rates. Discounts also abound around the corner at Silver Sands which is the nation's largest Designer Outlet. Enjoy!

The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.