Anything like Tripadvisor?

Well we don't have a Hotel here, except for the WC Inn. Each condo is individually owned and maintained so it may differ from unit to unit. If you're used to staying in a Hotel then a condo may not be for you. It's a vastly different experience. There isn't going to be daily cleaning, a concierge, valet parking, onsite dining, etc. You are staying at WaterSound correct? While there are many amenities you are somewhat remote to other areas such as dining, shopping, and entertainment. It's not bad at all, I just think there are certain things you may find you don't enjoy being a "virgin" to the area. I would strongly urge you to read, read, read, and ask questions here.

I guess what I'm trying to say is we aren't as static as tripadvisor.com, but we are very organic and generally more helpful.

Thanks. Ok, good points. I guess you are right, it seems like if I want to know something all I have to do is ask - which is a lot more fun anyway.

Have funn and ask something like what's the best food on 30A. Once you get through 8 pages of responses you'll have a much better understanding of the food on 30A.

There is a Hilton on the beach in Sandestin.

Yes, there is the Hilton Hotel in Sandestin in South Walton. Trip Advisor probably needs to correct that it is not in Destin. It is in Miramar Beach or they could use Sandestin, both in South Walton, Walton County. That's probably one reason it doesn't pull up for you. Until this place and name correction is made, visitors will continue to be confused or led away from South Walton or not realize where they are. FYI Destin is an incorporated city in Okaloosa County. Don't be confused by magazines like Southern Living who list them (Destin) as having "best beaches." South Walton beaches are way better than Destin. I believe Southern Living does not correctly administer their survey for this category. I would love to see their findings. We would most likely find that people who stayed in Sandestin and chose it as the best beach had their choice attributed inaccurately to Destin.

There are several other hotels that are in South Walton that sometimes suffer from this same incorrect place name id. The new Marriott Courtyard in Miramar Beach in the Grand Boulevard complex. Also, Embassy Suites is in Miramar Beach. All South Walton locations. They are NOT in Destin, and never have been.

Privately owned rentals rarely show up on Trip advisor unless a guest writes up a report. However rentals managed by Management Companies and complexes such as Gulf Place, Southern Resorts, Watercolor, Watersound, etc. will sometimes have reviews on Trip Advisor.

Also there will be reviews on VRBO and Homeaway.

Yes, there is the Hilton Hotel in Sandestin in South Walton. Trip Advisor probably needs to correct that it is not in Destin. It is in Miramar Beach or they could use Sandestin, both in South Walton, Walton County. That's probably one reason it doesn't pull up for you. Until this place and name correction is made, visitors will continue to be confused or led away from South Walton or not realize where they are. FYI Destin is an incorporated city in Okaloosa County. Don't be confused by magazines like Southern Living who list them (Destin) as having "best beaches." South Walton beaches are way better than Destin. I believe Southern Living does not correctly administer their survey for this category. I would love to see their findings. We would most likely find that people who stayed in Sandestin and chose it as the best beach had their choice attributed inaccurately to Destin.

There are several other hotels that are in South Walton that sometimes suffer from this same incorrect place name id. The new Marriott Courtyard in Miramar Beach in the Grand Boulevard complex. Also, Embassy Suites is in Miramar Beach. All South Walton locations. They are NOT in Destin, and never have been.

Those are good points. This will be our first trip to the area as a family (I have been to Sandestin for "work"). I knew I wanted to come to the area and only really expanded the search area outside of Destin b/c I was reading so much. In fact, it was by chance that I came across this site - it was actually mentioned in a forum post on Tripadvisor by someone.

Is this site sponsored or endorsed by any type of Visitor Center or County Travel Office?

Some of the vacation rental sites are starting to incorporate reviews for houses/condos. Flipkey.com is a good place to start.

Hope this helps.

Those are good points. This will be our first trip to the area as a family (I have been to Sandestin for "work"). I knew I wanted to come to the area and only really expanded the search area outside of Destin b/c I was reading so much. In fact, it was by chance that I came across this site - it was actually mentioned in a forum post on Tripadvisor by someone.

Is this site sponsored or endorsed by any type of Visitor Center or County Travel Office?

SoWal.com is a privately owned and operated site.

There are several other hotels that are in South Walton that sometimes suffer from this same incorrect place name id. The new Marriott Courtyard in Miramar Beach in the Grand Boulevard complex. Also, Embassy Suites is in Miramar Beach. All South Walton locations. They are NOT in Destin, and never have been.

Actually the area they are in use to be called Destin but once the post office showed up then it was officially called Miramar Beach...

Those are good points. This will be our first trip to the area as a family (I have been to Sandestin for "work"). I knew I wanted to come to the area and only really expanded the search area outside of Destin b/c I was reading so much. In fact, it was by chance that I came across this site - it was actually mentioned in a forum post on Tripadvisor by someone.

Is this site sponsored or endorsed by any type of Visitor Center or County Travel Office?

We do have a visitors center on Hwy 331.

http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/

Actually the area they are in use to be called Destin but once the post office showed up then it was officially called Miramar Beach...

Actually, the area from roughly the old Murmuring Sands to Frangista Beach has always been Miramar Beach. Destin was ten miles down the road, until they sprawled east to the county line. However, several of the owners I talk to refuse to use Miramar Beach as their address, claiming that nobody knows where or what Miramar Beach is.

In any event, Miramar Beach does NOT begin before Mack Bayou Road. That was done in order to put Sacred Heart and Grand Boulevard in "Destin." Funny how all the homes down Mack Bayou, as well as the homes in Four Mile Village, still have Santa Rosa Beach addresses. :roll: