The Travel Channel just named Destin as the "Best Family Beach in America for 2013" so naturally you may be looking for hotels on the beach in Destin to discover these sugary white shores and jewel toned waters. However, the only beachfront hotel in town is currently closed for the duration of the year due to extensive renovations. Do not be dismayed. Ocean Reef Resorts offers a better alternative for your family vacation in one of our fine beachfront condo vacation rentals.  These are private residences that are beautifully furnished and appointed with extra bedrooms and full kitchens that allow you the luxury of having your own beach home away from home but at a great value. You may split the cost with other relatives or friends and create your own "Surf n Turf" meals without eating out saving money to enjoy the many exciting attractions in Destin.

One great Destin rental option is at the sensational Silver Shells Beach Resort which sits facing over 1,000 linear feet of some of the most beautiful powder white beaches in the world and overlooking the emerald green waters of the gorgeous gulf. An oversized balcony takes full advantage of these awesome vistas. Better yet, Silver Shells adjoins the expansive Henderson Beach State Park towards the east with even more beautiful beaches to roam.  Silver Shells also hosts an expansive lagoon swimming pool that is 7,500 square feet of fresh water fun with more views of the sugar white beach beyond. There is a massive patio for sun bathing that is surrounded by clustered islands of palm trees that sway in the breeze along with a nearby waterfall and a bubbling hot tub to soothe your cares away. An additional rectangular pool at the club house is located half inside and half outdoors with a beautiful, classically columned patio area. The pool side restaurant, The Silver Shells Sandbar & Grill, serves great salads, seafood sandwiches, tasty burgers and delicious appetizers. They also have a fully stocked bar to suit your thirsty needs. The setting provides the perfect place to munch on some good food while sipping on a frozen tropical drink and checking out the pool or beach action. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, nationally acclaimed for their award winning prime beef is also located at Silver Shells for a fancy meal, special occasion or simply because you are, after all, on vacation. They are also known for their fresh seasonal seafood, New Orleans inspired appetizers and deliciously decade. Mom and the girls may want to enjoy a full day of pampered indulgence at the Spa at Silver Shells. This luxurious facility offers facials, manicures, pedicures, hydro therapy, aroma therapy as well as Swedish and European styled full body massage. There is also a full service salon for every hair care need. If long walks on the beach, body surfing and swimming are not enough exercise for you to enjoy, a state of the art fitness facility is also on site. This includes specialized Body Master's equipment, weight programs, cardiovascular equipment and a number of aerobic programs. There are also private tennis courts on site and even a basketball court for fun, competitive workouts.

Sterling Sands Pool

Another beachfront rental option Ocean Reef Resorts offers nearby is at Sterling Sands. This is a traditional family vacation destination that is a popular selection for many of our visiting guests due not only for the hotel/resort style amenities but also for its wonderful location in the heart of Destin. This property is nostalgically laid back and defines the classic family beach vacation. A refreshing beachfront swimming pool sits on a small dune that has views of the gleaming gulf that goes as far as you can see. A soothing hot tub also looks out over this scene near the 300 linear foot, white ribbon of sterling white sand that is nestled next to the gem colored waters. There are tables and a covered grills for so that you may enjoy the fresh salty air, hear the surf, enjoy the views and create a wonderful bar-b-que for a fun family picnic right on the gulf. Often times you may see dolphin frolicking in the distance so be sure to bring your binoculars to see them close up and at play. Speaking of playing, Sterling Sands is located directly across from a popular family destination called The Track Family Recreation Center. Here you will find delightful diversions like go cart racing, miniature golf and bumper car rides. They also have a section called Kid's Country which features Kiddie Carts, a Rio Grande Train, an old fashioned carousel, a Red Baron plane ride, ferris wheel, spin tops, swings, rookie carts and a ride called The Jungle Jumper. Kids will also delight in an arcade that has the latest, greatest games to test their skills. Adults can get the adrenaline pumping with a towering seventy-five foot Bungee Jump as well as a ride called The Skydiver which allows you to experience the thrill of skydiving without having to actually jump out of a plane. There are also a number of restaurants just minutes away if you decide to eat out. These include Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant as well as the popular beachfront destination known as The Back Porch.

SunDestin

Another wonderful Destin family beach vacation offered by Ocean Reef Resorts can be had at Sundestin which is also in the heart of everything. Sundestin is an eighteen story contemporary high-rise condominium complex that also sits right on the sugar white beach sands of the gleaming gulf. It offers the same unsurpassed breath-taking views of the jewel toned waters along with all the creature comforts one would expect to find here along The Emerald Coast. Even though Sundestin is comprised of privately owned condominium residences, it looks like a hotel. There is a front desk that is open twenty-four hours a day with a staff who can help you get directions or information about the resort as well as Destin itself. A wide array of amenities are available here which include a seasonally heated indoor pool that has a wall of windows that look out onto the outdoor pool that sits right next to the beach. Hot tubs are nearby for a bubbling rest . There are also outdoor grills and a picnic area that overlooks this beautiful scene. A family friendly poolside restaurant offers grilled seafood sandwiches, fried favorites, great burgers and an assortment of yummy appetizers to enjoy along with your favorite beverage while enjoying the beach life. There is also a Pizza Parlor in case your family is in the mood for a convenient Italian treat. If you prefer to be closer to the gulf, another beach bar can be of service by creating frozen concoctions to help you beat the heat. However, you may enjoy dining on your own private balcony overlooking the dazzling scene below since the full kitchen included is more than ample to create your own seafood feast for far less than you might spend at a fancy restaurant.  Sundestin also has a convenience store and little gift shop on the premises so you don't have to go far to grab that necessity you forgot to bring or an extra souvenir for someone back home. Other amenities here include an arcade room for the kids, a nice fitness center, a beach side shuffleboard court and a spa with a salon. The centralized location places you very close to Big Kahuna's Water Park which was voted one of the best water parks in the nation by viewers of The Travel Channel. This tropical oasis has over forty interconnecting water features including sensational slides, lazy rivers for tubing, whirl pools, waterfalls, and exciting watery underground chutes that deliver you to pools below.  It makes for quite a family adventure as you discover one part and then the other. There is also a large, jungle like miniature golf course next to it that is lushly landscaped and on elevated levels which is also fun to explore.

Be sure to check out this Ocean Reef Resort, user friendly website to see all these Destin condo rentals and select the one that you like best. Unlike a hotel each rental has a full description, multiple pictures of each unit, availability dates and rental rates that change from one season to the next. Great values are here for your entire family since it is more than just a small room with a mini bar in an expensive hotel where you have to dine out every night. Here you will find your beach home away from home and save money simultaneously. You may never want to stay at a hotel again!