Posted on 10/13/2011By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
The first thing you notice when you arrive at Crystal Sands is the long white ribbon of sparkling crystalline shore that parallels the brilliant blue roof of this three story beachfront condominium. The atmosphere is definitely laid back which is surprising since the physical location is near the heart of everything. Destin action is all nearby, indeed within minutes away if you so desire. Destin Commons, Paradise Key Shopping, City Market and even the Silver Sands Designer Outlet are favorite destinations, especially at night or on a rainy day. The Rave Motion Picture Complex is located at Destin Commons complete with state of the art sound systems and comfortable stadium seating. A lot of nationally known restaurants abound here as well with Outback, Bonefish, TGI Fridays, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chili's, and the Hard Rock Cafe just to name a few.
Crystal Beach also has four locally owned restaurants right on Scenic Gulf Drive overlooking the jewel toned waters that alternate between a dark emerald green and a lime colored peridot. These include The Crab Trap, Camille's, 790 on the Gulf and Beachwalk Cafe. The first one known as The Crab Trap is just slightly east of Crystal Sands within easy walking distance. This restaurant barely survived two hurricanes as well as a fire since first constructed some years ago but was rebuilt each time bigger and better! The location on a beachfront park with a long promenade that connects each end are reminiscent of a charming 19th century seaside resort. The main building that houses The Crab Trap looks like a giant white and red roofed Victorian pavilion. They feature fresh seafood, wonderful Po Boy sandwiches and a big bar serving all of your favorite frozen beverages. The rustic interiors have high beamed ceilings and expansive windows which are often left open to allow the breeze in from the Gulf. The smell of salt air and sound of the surf definitely stimulate your appetite for seafood.
Towards the west you come to a new restaurant at the Inn of Crystal Beach called 790 on the Gulf. They feature Cajun inspired dishes served with "southern Louisiana hospitality" and good "down home cooking." Specialties include their gumbo which comes in different varieties like seafood, duck, chicken and andouille sausage. Other Cajun seafood and fish specials change almost daily. Meals are served generously along with Comfort Food like country fried chicken, crispy fried catfish and even a tasty meatloaf. You may eat indoors or out on their beachfront pool deck for added atmosphere. Happy hour specials are popular with decent drink and appetizer values.
In the mood for some great Italian and maybe even a little sushi? I know it sounds like a strange mix but Camille's serves up both in its popular beach view restaurant. Owned by local favorite native Charles Morgan, this restaurant was named after his Mom and Grandmother. Charles also owns the popular Harbor Docks Restaurant overlooking the marina in Destin along with Dharma Blue's in Pensacola. Italian dishes at Camille's include tasty thin crusted pizza and pastas of the seafood variety including shrimp, seared jumbo scallops and artichoke hearts. Crusted grouper is often on the menu along with the Catch of the Day which is blackened, grilled or fried. Appetizers include coconut wasabi scallops, large bacon wrapped shrimp, fried green tomatoes and a giant selection of fresh sushi. The interiors of Camille's have a Tuscan look but with vibrant, bright colors that look both chic and casual at the same time. There is also a covered deck for breezy outdoor dining.
If you are looking for a romantic restaurant you should travel west from Crystal Sands to where Scenic Gulf Drive ends at Henderson Beach State Park. Here an old inn features the Beachwalk Cafe that overlooks not only the gulf but has full unobstructed views of dazzling sunsets over the park. This award winning restaurant serves up gourmet seafood and mainland entrees with special sauces that are heavenly. This is also one of the most romantic restaurants along Scenic Gulf Drive so it is the perfect place to go for a honeymoon, special anniversary, hallmark birthday or any other celebration. You may dine inside in a charming gulf front old world dining room or outdoors on the sandy beach patio illuminated by Tiki Torch lighting. Beachfront dining doesn't get much better than this.
Ocean Reef Resorts has several beachfront condominiums to choose from here at Crystal Sands so you may best pick the one that suits the needs of your friends and family. Crystal Sands 107 and Crystal Sands 110B both have one bedroom along with one and one half baths but are able to sleep up to six people. The bedroom has a king sized bed for two but there are also bunk beds tucked away off the hallway and a queen sized sleeper sofa in the living area. Both of these properties have full kitchens with a breakfast bar for two along with the adjacent dining area which seats four more around glass topped tables. The colors for each of these comfortable units are completed in pastels of peach, salmon and pinks with complimentary colored tile flooring.
Crystal Sands 306 has two bedrooms with two baths but is able to accommodate up to eight guests since it has a king sized bed in the Master Suite, two full sized twin beds in a guest suite as well as a queen sized bed in a loft area that is open to the living room below. The living area has a cathedral ceiling that rises up with an open stairway to the loft area. There are two plush oversized couches, one of which turns into a queen sized sleeper, however with all the pillows you would be tempted to just sleep on the sofa itself. The adjacent dining area can seat six around a glass topped table with a breakfast bar for two more, (perhaps "the kiddie table?")
Crystal Sands 311 is also a two bedroom unit but here the Loft area has double bunk beds that can sleep four and there are king sized beds in both the Master and Guest Suites. The colors in the living and dining area are a very pleasing, light salmon color which is accentuated nicely by the tiled floor in a slightly darker, complimentary color. A large oil painting of sail boats gives it a contemporary feel along with a casual dining set around a glass topped table that seats six. The open kitchen with breakfast bar for two is completed with natural light woods.
Crystal Sands 312 could almost be an identical twin and would be great if you wanted to rent out two side by side units for weddings or family reunions since all together they would sleep up to sixteen guests. The living and dining area also have the tiled flooring but this unit is a lighter shade of pink. Casual chairs have light blue cushioned seats that seat six around the rounded edge, glass topped table. The breakfast bar seats three more facing the light wood, open kitchen. Here the Master and Guest Suites also have comfortable, king sized beds.
Perhaps the most opulent of the units at Crystal Sands is what the owners call "The Penthouse" which is Crystal Sands 305 and has been recently remodeled from top to bottom. This unit also accommodates the most amount of guests due to extra twin bunks and other beds. The new floors are completed with a parchment colored tile floors that are richly accented by an over sized living room couch and two big comfortable chairs. The dining area is open to a completely remodeled, open kitchen with a wall of custom maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a large side by side, gleaming silver refrigerator. The center of this room has a giant, thick granite topped dining table that seats six in high backed, ebony black chairs. The Master and Guest Suite both have king sized beds, one done in formal dark colors with rich maple accents and the other completed in a creamy white wicker.
Ocean Reef is pleased to offer these fine Destin vacation rentals right on the beach. A seasonally heated pool and picnic tables with ocean side grills completes the setting. Some of our new guests from "up north" may arrive here one night, look out the window in the morning and think that there is new fallen snow near the water's edge. It could be quite a shock to them until they delightfully realize that what they are seeing is actually the shimmering white "summer snow" that makes these crystalline shores world famous.
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.
