Posted on 5/18/2012By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team

Ocean Reef is proud to let you know about five fabulous private vacation rental homes available in Destiny West, one of Destin's finest beachside communities along Scenic Gulf Drive. These gorgeous Mediterranean styled mansions are located in a gated neighborhood which sit beside James Lee Park on the gulf and an adjacent coastal dune lake. LOL as it applies to Destiny does not stand for the popular text phrase "lots of laughs" but rather "lap of luxury" because that is where you find yourself when you stay here. Of course it is a lot of fun as well since this incredible location offers wide gulf vistas at James Lee Park which has a long boardwalk that runs beside the shimmering alabaster sands along the emerald green waters for which this area is famous. The popular Crab Trap Restaurant is conveniently located here as well with fresh seafood and a beach side bar for the pleasure of sipping that Corona with lime or frozen Margarita. Fabulous amenities abound here at Destiny which are available to all of our Ocean Reef guests.  At the centrally located clubhouse guests will enjoy access to a 75x35 foot community pool, outdoor hot tub, fitness center, basketball court, tennis courts, and a grilling facility.

One of our popular Ocean Reef vacation homes is the elegant Mediterranean Villa known as Blu Sky. Located just within the gates of Destiny West across the street from the aforementioned James Lee Park, this five bedroom and four and one half bath residence can sleep up to eighteen guests since it has multiple bunk beds as well as sleeper sofas.  In fact the entire first floor has twin bunk beds, a sleeper sofa living area and full bath which make it a great place for the kids to stay and play. Upstairs there are three elegantly appointed Guest Bedrooms, one of which is a suite with a private bath. All are beautifully and comfortably furnished and there is also a den for TV viewing. Honey toned hardwood floors provide a warm ambiance throughout. Multiple balconies provide views of the gulf or the private pool in the back courtyard which looks like a lovely mini lagoon, perfect for a refreshing plunge. On the third level you will find the main living area of this upscale home along with a sumptuous Master Bedroom Suite with its own private balcony and full bath. The main living area has lots of windows that incorporate sunny views and an additional balcony off the dining room. The open kitchen has a country European look but with state of the art stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. A formal dining table accommodates eight guests and looks onto the living room with a flat screen TV, rich looking leather couches and cushioned chairs. There is also a Breakfast Room Cafe nook under a sunny window that seats four. If you want to enjoy outdoor dining, there is a wicker table set and oversized lounge chairs where you can enjoy the sea breezes. A gas grill downstairs next to the mini lagoon pool is also available for creating your own family feast.

Be sure to put on your favorite Beach Boys song when you visit our next offering which is called Good Vibrations. This pastel colored four bedroom, three bath home is also in the Destiny West neighborhood but located directly across the street from the gorgeous Clubhouse, lushly landscaped swimming pool area and tennis courts. However you don't even have to go that far for a refreshing dip since this home has a nice sized private pool of its own with a secluded patio and an outdoor dining table. Like the other gated properties in Destiny West the beautiful beach itself is just a short walk away. This home is light and bright with gleaming travertine marble flooring, comfortable suede wrap around couches facing a flat screen TV as well as views outside to the patio. A shiny ebony black dining table has six chic high backed woven straw chairs which accent the nearby breakfast bar which has four more seats. This faces the ample, open kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Two bedrooms with a shared bath are also on this first floor level one of which has double twin bunk beds. The Master Bedroom Suite and another Guest Suite are located on the second floor each with a full private bath. On the third level there is Tower Room that has a den with leather furniture, another flat screen TV and a sleeper sofa. This lovely home can accommodate up to fourteen guests.

Another wonderful choice at Destiny is a brand new three bedroom, two and one half bath home called Tranqui-la.  This residence is decidedly modern with contemporary furnishings, high ceilings and an open floor plan. The modern accents blend well with traditional natural hardwood flooring and maple cabinetry in the large new kitchen complete of course with mottled granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. A long handsome wood dining table seats eight right off the kitchen. The living area has two leather couches, a leather bucket chair, ottoman and a cushioned chair that face the big flat screen TV. There is a Guest Bedroom on this first floor level adjacent to a half bath. There is also a lavish swimming pool that is being completed just outside. Upstairs is the Master Bedroom Suite with a king sized bed, tall tray ceilings, three atrium windows for natural light and a slate floored bath with spa tub and separate shower. A couch in the bedroom provides a seating area as well as a queen sized sleeper for kids. An additional Guest Bedroom has a nice queen sized bed with access to a full hall bathroom. Another cool area in this house is a third floor loft bedroom that has a cream colored sleeper couch facing the TV along with two dark brown bunk beds. This provides separate space for entertainment and sleeping arrangements for kids or teenagers. This modern residence can sleep up to fourteen guests with all sleeper sofas and bunk beds in use.

Planning a big friend or family reunion? It doesn't get much better than staying at your own giant Sandcastle by the Sea. This seven bedroom, six and one half bath mansion is located is apart of Destiny Shores and is right on Lake Destiny offering gorgeous views of not only this pristine water but also the Gulf of Mexico beyond. The property is aptly named since it is indeed near the beach and looks like a big double turreted castle but with multiple sun decks and balconies. This very elegant residence was deliberately designed to accommodate a huge amount of guests. In fact the seven spacious bedrooms, some with bunk beds and sleeper sofas can sleep up to, (are you ready for this?), twenty-four house guests! On the first floor alone there are three bedrooms, one of which has a Master Suite with a full bath complete with double bowl sinks, shower and tub. The other two bedrooms have a queen sized bed in one and twin bunk beds in the other which share a big hall bath. These rooms have easy access to the big private swimming pool that has an expansive sundeck with full views of the lake which is framed by palm trees. Upstairs on the second level is an extraordinarily spacious living area with travertine marble floors and rows of decorative columns which highlight the tall ceilings. Windows are everywhere and there is ready access to the long balcony which looks out upon the lovely scene. A black spiral staircase from the balcony leads down to the pool below. The living area has multiple rich leather couches that circle the room for lively interaction. The gorgeous gourmet kitchen has milk chocolate colored, floor to ceiling wood cabinetry with a stainless steel double oven, separate gas range and a side by side refrigerator. Mottled pink and gray granite counter tops provide a wonderful warm accent. The adjacent dining area is next to doors leading out onto one of the balconies and has two tables with seating for sixteen total. There is also a Media Room for TV viewing with a sleeper sofa and a convenient Powder Room. In addition, another Master Bedroom Suite is located on this same level with its own private bath. Three more Master Bedroom Suites with their own private baths are upstairs on the third floor. Two of them face the gulf with an adjoining open sundeck and have turreted cathedral tray ceilings with double tropical fans. The third Master Bedroom Suite on this level has its own private balcony with equally gorgeous vistas since it looks down onto the large private pool next to the lake.

Directly across the street sitting in Destiny Shores and right on the beach is the Crystal Cabana. Calling this big five bedroom, four and one half bath Mediterranean Villa a "cabana" is like calling those giant mansions in Newport or The Hamptons a "cottage". You realize this as soon as you walk up to the front door and enter the humongous open living area. Light from the row of floor to ceiling windows shines across the honey colored hardwood floors and provides shimmering views of the dazzling gulf. Multiple sets of glass doors lead out onto the furnished covered balcony. The center of this room has four deep woven, cushioned chairs for cocktail conversation or kibitzing. Towards the right is a warm, charming living room with two large couches and extra chairs that face a fireplace with built-in shelving on both sides containing decorative art. On the other side of the room near the windows towards the left is a rectangular wood dining table with six cushioned chairs that have carved sunbursts on the back. An additional six high backed, wood bar chairs front up to the open warp around granite Breakfast bar which faces the kitchen complete with double oven, separate range and stainless steel refrigerator. This first floor level also has a Master Bedroom Suite with private bath, a Laundry Room and a half bath Powder Room. Upstairs are four more nicely furnished, well appointed bedrooms. Two of them are Master Bedroom Suites facing the gorgeous gulf with private baths and garden tubs. A covered balcony extends across the beach side of this part of the house as well so you can hear the sound of the surf and watch the scene below. The other Guest Suite has a queen sized bed with its own private bath. The fifth bedroom shares a full hall bath but has its own gulf side balcony. This wonderful beachside "cabana" can sleep up to twelve guests.

Ah, decisions decisions! Which one will it be? We are pleased to be able to provide your family and friends such a wonderful variety of special places to choose from here in the Destiny West. Take a peek at the pictures or videos of each on our Ocean Reef website in order to find your own special Destin Vacation Home. Also don't forget that these homes were designed for multiple families or friends, with private space for everyone. Once you divide up and share the rental expenses you will find that you too can enjoy being in the lap of luxury without having to pay luxuriant prices. In fact they can be quite a deal compared to hotel rates for rooms without kitchens, let alone everything else, so enjoy!