One of the Best Values in Destin

I've been going to Destin for several years and was reading some of the reviews posted here. This resort is one of best places to stay in my opinion. The property is Gulf Front with a good choice of floor plans. All of the units are indepently owned condos and fully furnished. The One Bedroom/ Two bath has a very functional floor plan. Outside of the bedroom, bunk beds are recessed in the hallway with a sleeper sofa in the family room. These additional sleeping accomodations, along with the second bath are attractive for two couples sharing a condo or a couple with children.

I am not aware of the beach chair issue - not being close to the water. I have always rented the chairs and umbrella and have been pleased with the location and service. In peak times of the year they will set up in a "U" or "rows" to accomodate more people. This is an additional expense, however the equipment is very comfortable with an umbrella that is not going to blow away or into someone with the first gulf breeze. The security is very good also, the property is gated and wrist bands are used during Sping Break for anyone under 25. This is a measure I feel that is in evryone's best interest who is staying on the property. One of the previous post rating this property poorly because of the notification came two weeks prior to arrival regarding the ratio of adults to teenagers is an unfortunate miscommunication. However- most of the properties in Destin have adopted the same guidelines. I have stayed at this property over a dozen times. It is unfair to cast doubt on how the property represents itself. It has an onsite property management company who has plenty of personel there 24/7. The poster with through an "offsite" property manager who may not have been familar with the requirements. This is an excellent ratio requirement. How many units would you like occupied with one adult and six minors during spring break while your vacationing with your family?

The property is clean and well maintained in an excellent location. There are serveral resturants and shopping opportunities very close to the property. The beach is the best you will find almost anywhere you could go in the world to compare!

Nice Family Vacation Spot

Stayed here from 09/04 thru 09/11/04. Booked thru Abbott Resorts and had to check in at an offsite location about a mile from the resort. Checked in at 5pm on Saturday evening with no problem. They thankfully had luggage carts so that I could lug all of our family's gear upstairs to the 11th floor. A helpful hint for the luggage handler in your party is don't use the central bank of elevators to take your gear upstairs. It is much faster to use the less frequently traveled elevators on the end of each wing. Also, they have a parking structure where you can park relatively close to the resort and keep your car out of direct sunlight.

Our condo was a 2br unit. One br had a king bed and the other had 2 twins. It also had a hide-a-bed in the living room. Balcony ran the whole width of the condo and had a coastline view. Had a full kitchen with all amenities.

The beach was wonderful. We followed a previous poster's advice and purchased beach chairs and an umbrella from Walmart instead of renting. We were able to set up right next to the gulf so we could watch our children. The water ranged from cloudy on Monday and Tuesday (during TS Frances) to crystal clear for the rest of the trip. We only saw seaweed on one day and fortunately it was stuck to the bottom and not floating onto the beach. The beach is so powdery it's like walking in the snow. I do not see how any beach could be better.

My kids loved being at the beach here with other families. Our daughters found some friends to play with on the beach and had a great time building sand castles and playing in the water.

I also had concerns about the locks that a previous poster voiced. Nobody else seemed to mind.

Security Problem?

We just returned from a week at the Pelican Beach. The room and view were perfect but the security in the room was questionable. The keys we were given were only to the bottom lock on the door. We were told they do not give a key to the dead bolt. The problem I have with this is that a simple credit card could get through the bottom lock with no problem at all. We had to make countless trips to our vehicle to lock our valuables up when we left the room. I don't know if all the condos locks are like that. Obviously, I didn't go around checking! I would not stay there again because of this.

Pelican Beach - teens will love it!

Just returned from four nights at Pelican Beach during the last week of July. I was concerned that by renting only a 1 bedroom unit, that there would not be enough room for my husband and I, and our two teenage sons. My concerns were groundless. The unit was quite spacious and very, very clean. The oceanfront balcony was spacious and private, and quite clean, as well. The one drawback was that there did not appear to be quite enough beach space for the size of the resort. I would echo the thoughts of a previous reviewer who indicated it would probably be more beneficial to bring your own beach chairs and umbrella(s), as opposed to renting them. Apparently the rental "system" is that you start at the last row of chairs (nearest the condo, not the ocean) and work your way forward each day. You don't get to pick where you sit (except for perhaps the first day), as the chairs are assigned for you. Those who have their own chairs and umbrella get to set up nearest the ocean. Despite this minor inconvenience, we did have a marvelous time - especially our two teenage sons, who both enjoyed this vacation even more than the cruise we took last year. Even though the local deli at the resort didn't stay open as late as we would have liked, there were numerous fast food and other eating establishments nearby. I was disappointed to learn that although we had thought we had booked the family package special as indicated on their website, I learned after checking in that one has to "call" and request this package in order to obtain it. Overall, I would highly recommend this resort for families. Couples might want to look elsewhere, should they desire something a little more private.

Good Family Spot

We rented a 2 br/2ba condo in May 2004.

The condo was very clean and nicely furnished. Our room overlooked the pool. Our family of 5 had a great time and the things that botherd the adults were never really noticed by the kids.

Those things were the market place hours. They advertise that you can get pizza but they close at 6:00 p.m. Most families were just getting out of the pool around then and we talked to many people who were dissapointed about the early closing time.

The Tiki Hut bar by the pool also closed early. I think 5:00 - and opened at 1:00.

The biggest dissapointment were the beach chairs and umbrella that you rent for the week. We rented them in the late afternoon of our first day. The next morning we woke early and looked down the beach at all the other hotels setting up the beach chairs and umbrellas. They were set up just a few feet from the ocean and we couldn't wait to get down to enjoy our view from our comfy, shaded, and expensive chairs. We were shocked when we got down to the beach though and realized our chairs (and all other rented chairs) were about 100 feet away from the ocean...with AT LEAST 7 rows of home-made setups in front of the rented chairs. We asked the man who rented them and he said his hands were tied by the condo association. He had to set up his chairs in the very back to allow room for the homemade set-ups. The chairs were useless to us, we could not see our kids from the chairs by a long shot. And some of the homemade setups were very large...there is a sign that says NO TENTS but there were quite a few tents.

I've never been to a 'resort' where the paying customer was sort of punished. We were quite jealous when we looked down the beach at the other resorts, none of which allowed anything other than the rented chairs & umbrellas.

The man who rented the chairs was nice enough to refund our money.

We certainly didn't ruin our trip and would probably stay again. Save yourself the money though and go across the street to Wings and buy a couple chairs and an umbrella. You'll be much happier and out way less money.

The only other thing that was buggy is we were told that we could rent movies at the front desk and that was also in the literature they gave us when we checked in. We didn't bring any kids movies since we knew we could rent them. Upon asking though, they no longer rent movies.

Wonderful resort

This is a wonderful resort. They take excellent care of their guests and the grounds. There is 24 hour security and gated entrance. This is a great choice for a family vacation. We were there during spring break and they were very careful not to let anyone on the premises who did not wear a wristband.

Great place, will be back!

Used this site and others to search for a place to stay during our October vacation. The Pelican Beach Resort was great. We had a wonderful room, excellent view and super location. You may be able to stay elsewhere for less but the extra is worth it.

Perfect place to stay in Destin

We made reservations in Panama City and when we arrived we were horrified. This city was such a dump so we canceled our reservations and drove on to Destin. I am so glad we did. We stayed a week on the 19th floor at Pelican Beach and it was simply breathtaking. The condo was gorgeous and very clean. The prices were reasonable. We have already made reservations to go back again this year. Advice...skip Panama City and head to Pelican Beach in Destin!

#1416 at Pelican Beach Resort is AWESOME!!

We stayed in 1416 at Pelican Beach Resort in Destin, FL. This unit was absolutely beautiful and very well taken care of. The view of the Gulf from the balcony was breathtaking, we could even watch the dolphins play from the balcony. Pelican Beach is convenient to everything, shoppong, restraunts, water park, go carts, golf . . . The resort is family friendly and the grounds & pools were immaculate. We will definately return to Pelican Beach Resort and will be requesting to stay again in #1416!

Great Place!

What a great place! Everything is right there! You can stay at the resort and enjoy the beach, tiki hut for cocktails, swimming pools and have a nice fresh bagel in the morning from the bistro, if you want other things, they are right there in the vacinity and there are lots of things you can walk to!

We stayed in 1713 and got a phenomenal view of the ocean, beach and even the lights of Destin! The interior was well decorated and roomy...We are going back!