Posted on 3/27/2015By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Located in the prominent beach side community of Shipwatch in Miramar Beach , Ocean Reef Resorts offers three picture perfect vacation rental homes named The Grits Carlton, Palm Oasis and Castle in the Sand. This exclusive gated enclave is nestled away in a private destination of its own right off Scenic Gulf Drive. A lagoon festooned with water lilies separates it from the "outside world". Just beyond the gated entry is the heart of Destin's Miramar Beach which abounds in shopping, dining, and just plain having fun. However here you are residing in your own special world with a private sugar white sand beach and views that overlook either the glistening gulf or the lovely waters of the lagoon. Once you pass the handsome nautically inspired front gate a palm lined drive crosses over the lagoon with an arching bridge and draws you into the Shipwatch neighborhood.
As you cross the bridge you will see The Grits Carlton immediately on your right. This stately two story home has a prominent placement perched above the lagoon and features a wide open deck across the back to enjoy the views. This luxurious vacation home has five bedrooms and can sleep up to fifteen fortunate guests. The interiors of this spacious property are comfortable with new upscale coastal style furnishings. Three of the bedrooms are gorgeous Master Bedroom Suites since each one includes a full private bath. A large sunny open Great Room encompasses the living, dining and kitchen areas. A wrap around couch with accent armchairs face a 60" LED Smart Screen TV. The dining area on the other side of the room has high backed chairs with seating for eight under a vintage open wire globe chandelier. The open Gourmet Kitchen has all stainless steel appliances including a convenient French Cupboard door styled refrigerator with two icemakers. A large granite topped kitchen island includes extra seating and provides a perfect place to lay our savory snacks or favorite drinks. One of the lovely bedroom suites is on the first floor with a queen sized bed, private bath and views of the lagoon. A half bath serves as a convenient Powder Room off the main living area. An expansive sun deck on the first floor level wraps across the entire back of the house taking advantage of the watery views. Besides the beautiful beach, you will find yourself wanting to spend a lot of time here. Lounge chairs beckon you to soak up the sun while enjoying the breezes and there is also a sparkling plunge pool for refreshment. You and the kids may enjoy viewing all the turtles, ducks, and herons that frequent the lagoon down below which may be fed right off the deck. In addition a gas grill and table allows you to dine el fresco. There are two more beautifully decorated suites upstairs with comfortable king sized beds and luxurious private baths. The main Master Suite also has a romantic private covered balcony with curtains that gently blow in the breeze while you look down upon the lagoon below. Two more bedrooms are perfect for kids since they have colorfully decorated bunk beds and share their own full bath. All of the bedrooms in this Shipwatch vacation home come with new flat screen TVs for evening entertainment.
Palm Oasis is an elegantly attired family compound that is very comfortably furnished with rich Floridian flair. This home has two bedrooms in the Main House and additional accommodations in the Guest House, so it can sleep up to twelve lucky guests in separate quarters. This amazing vacation home has interiors that are dramatically beautiful and looks like something you would see featured in Southern Living Magazine. A spacious open Great Room has soaring cathedral ceilings that almost takes your breath away. A big sail boat model above is up lighted for dramatic effect and another upper wall has custom shelving that is adorned with decorative art. Vibrantly colored modern oil paintings provide a sophisticated ambience. A wraparound couch is tastefully accented by two chairs. They face a floor to ceiling fireplace with a large flat screen TV mounted above. The spacious open kitchen has a custom granite counter bar. Gleaming modern appliances include a large side by side refrigerator giving you everything you need to prepare a fun family feast. A dining table nearby has eight chairs that sit upon a rich Oriental rug. Multiple glass doors have views out onto an intimate private courtyard with an oval shaped swimming pool. A columned open porch with seating looks out onto this scene and a charming lattice work lanai above connects across to the separate Guest Quarters. The main house has a first floor Guest Bedroom with a king sized bed and a wall mounted TV with access to a full Hall Bath that doubles as an elegant Powder Room. Stairs sweep dramatically up to the second floor with a landing. The luxurious Master Bedroom Suite encompasses the entire second floor with a king sized bed, a sitting area that faces a massive wall mounted TV and a full private bath. Doors lead out to its own private balcony with views down to the pool below. The Guest House on the other side of the pool courtyard has its own balcony and is like a separate apartment. It has a very beautifully decorated open room with a king sized bed, a kitchenette with a Wet Bar, a table that seats four, a private bunk bed and a separate loft space above.
Castle in the Sand is a phenomenal beachfront home that surpasses expectations. This expansive e home sits right on the beautiful beach and offers six bedrooms with the ability to sleep up to fourteen guests' right in the lap of luxury. One word describes this vacation home best… "Wow!" It has an awesome ambiance that immediately embraces you with lots of sunny bright windows, comfortable furnishings and refined tasteful décor. The floor plan is distinctly multi-faceted and gracious. The open main living area has a 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. This leads to a wonderful separate Sun Room with four comfortable armchairs that sit around a cocktail table. Three walls of floor to ceiling windows allow you to enjoy drinks while gazing out upon glistening emerald hued waters of the gulf. On the other side of this Great Room a regal dining table sits beside another row of windows with six chairs. The light open modern kitchen has charming custom cabinetry and a wraparound granite counter top. A unique tile topped connecting table extends off the kitchen with six additional seats. This provides a great breakfast bar, "kid's table" or a just a convenient place to serve favorite appetizers. You may also enjoy the gulf views while listening to the soothing surf sounds outdoors since there's a covered columned porch with teakwood patio furniture. Stairs graciously lead down to a lush beachfront lawn that borders gentle dunes that are studded with Sea Oats. A white ribbon trail of sugary white sand leads 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 more guest rooms with rich hardwood flooring and tasteful décor. One of them has a queen sized bed while the other has a king and both have access to the upstairs beachfront balcony. Charming metal framed twin beds provide sleeping quarters in the other bedroom. The fourth floor comprises the spacious Master Bedroom Suite with a charming four posted king sized bed, a Wet Bar and a wall of windows that provides a seagull's eye view across the glorious gulf. A wide arched portal with stately columns leads to a Sun Room which serves as the Master Suite's sitting area. It has four comfortable armchairs and sets of windows to enjoy the sunny views. Doors lead out to your own private beachfront balcony which encourages romance when a magical full moon sparkles directly over the water. The bathroom en suite defines true luxury with a raised garden tub, a separate glassed in 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 provides an Entertainment Room along with a Kitchenette, Wet Bar and a full bathroom. There is plenty of room to serve tropical drinks and appetizers since a bar table has four raised seats and as separate dining table offers four more. 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 wall that overlooks the gulf. Glass doors lead out onto an open roof top Observation Sun Deck with lounge chairs facing the spectacular beach views.
Even though each one of these amazing Shipwatch Vacation homes seems to be a serene world unto itself, they are all just minutes away from entertainment, fine restaurants and lively bars. Popular beachfront restaurants are located nearby along Scenic Gulf Drive. Championship golf can be played at Seascape, Emerald Bay, or Regatta Bay where Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive special discounts. Silver Sands, the nation's largest Designer Discount Outlet, is also very close by where you can do world class shopping at bargain prices. Outstanding restaurants, friendly bars, a state of the art multiplex theater, seasonal festivals, galleries and upscale boutiques are minutes away on Grand Boulevard as well as a Disneyesque version of the New Orleans French Quarter called the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. Whether you are planning a family reunion or special event any one of these beach homes can provide a private world of privileged pleasure right in the heart of everything Destin's Miramar Beach has to offer.
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.
