Name: Sterling Sands Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Address: 1080 Highway 98 East, Destin, Destin, Destin, 32541, United States of America
Rating: 8

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Garden

Terrace

Outdoor furniture

General

Accessibility features

Wheelchair Accessible

Accessibility

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Barbecue grill(s)

Picnic area

Barbeque

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Fitness facilities

Sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Extra decontamination measures

Contactless check-in and/or check-out

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the resort

Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park

Indian Bayou Golf Club

Henderson Beach State Park

Gator Beach

Fat Daddy's Arcade

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport

Sterling Sands Resort by Panhandle Getaways

Destin

The unit 613 we stayed had roaches. Which we were pretty surprised. We were not informed the gym would be closed for renovations. I would not have complained this year. But when we went last year they were pressure washing the whole building and some rules were updated but we’re not communicated. Their HOA is a joke. We were informed by several owners they pay monthly dues for the renter to have two chairs and an umbrella. We have been going there for 24 years. Just not same . So disappointed. 

Find another Condo

Beautiful place .  Well maintained although elevators need work.  Beautiful views and has security around pool areas. Easy access to beach. We rented thru VACASA and had no issues all questions quickly answered. Pool is great but a little too warm for me felt more like a hot tub not refreshing. Great area with grills for your using. Our condo 607 was well equipped and comfortable. Will stay again

This place is clean and comfortable. Directly on the beach!! Pool is great although a little too warm for me. I’ll stay

We stayed in unit 604. The view was wonderful, pool and hot tub were nice, room was clean. The building is so quiet!

Things to note: the condo was sparsely finished, for instance, only bar soap but no soap dish. So if you use the soap you just lay it on the counter.  

604 is one down from the closest elevator. However, 605 , bedrooms window is at the elevator and people tend to visit at the elevator. The person at 605 mentioned having to step out and tell people about the window.  

Beach Service includes 2 chairs and 1 umbrella.  So if have more than 2 people who want a chair you have to rent another chair - $45 a day. 

Bedrooms - they are on the walk way and have windows. The window coverings are not room darkening.  So it is light all night long. Bring a mask if you are sensitive to light.

Take a photo of your codes as there are a couple different ones.

Fitness center is adequate. 
We rented bikes to get around. Great option! Bikes -R-Us has reasonable rates and they deliver.

Overall we really enjoyed our visit and would rent again from here. Did I mention how quiet this building was?

Beautiful views great location 

Nice condo, only complaint was only 1 elevator worked, would have been nice to have beach chairs included also. It was a beautiful view of the ocean. Clean, fully stocked kitchen. Close to everything we wanted to do.

Nice Condo

We leased unit 314 which is directly on the beach and loved it!  This is a 3 bedroom condo so we had loads of room. It was very clean and the view from the wrap around balcony was to die for. 
They provided free daily beach set ups which gave us a front row spot to enjoy the white sand and crystal blue waters. Only A five minute walk down the beach is “The Back porch restaurant”  which has huge portions of fresh seafood and the best tuna dip anywhere. 
The pool, gym and hot tub were close so I never missed a work out.  
All the furniture, beds and decorations were clearly new and fresh. We will definitely be back!

Perfect Destin conda

Family of four (mom & dad; 10 yo boy; 14 yo girl) went to Destin for Spring Break. First time in Destin or anywhere on the Florida panhandle. This is an AirBnb/Vrbo condo place. General review we were pleased with the location, safety, and cleanliness. 

The pool & hot tub area were nice, heated, and good alternative to the beach. Beach service was also good -- unfortunately when we stayed the red flags were almost always up because of the high winds and rip tides. Still the view couldn't be beat and you could still get your feet wet. 

We liked the set up beach service of chair and umbrella to and love the luxury of not having  to worry about setting up your own chairs & hauling stuff. Your position on the beach just varies by the day you rented your unit. The first day we were in the 2nd row of chairs, by the third day we were in the front row. No complaints the view was good either way.

Pros: Location and view of the gulf from our unit - A+; also nearby good restaurants (go to the Back Porch!) and stores if you forgot or needed something; quiet and peaceful -- never heard neighbors on either side or above and below -- good soundproofing.

Cons: One of the elevators was out the first two days we were there. It was fixed before we left, so they addressed it, but one working elevator with that many units is a nightmare. We definitely got in some extra fitbit steps on the stairs -- not an option for everyone.  

Biggest con was our unit #513, the king size bed of  the master suite is a mushy lump. My back is still sore from it. It NEEDS TO BE REPLACED stat! If vacation is about resting and relaxing it's hard to do that when you dread going to bed,  because the bed so uncomfortable.

Tips: Kinda related to cons but just in general the kitchen could be stocked better. Hand soap should be provided in kitchen & everywhere. They provided ONE automatic dishwasher tablet. So after the first night we were doing our dishes by hand - not cool on vacation. Would it kill them to provide a few more? 

So my advice and this goes for all non-hotel rentals, be prepared to bring your own soap, detergent, extra tp, and extra paper towels. I did bring my own k-cups -- and you will need to, none are provided.

Final tip - they use a coded number system for everything: room entry, gym, pool, and beach access, etc. If you're like me with a million passwords in your head trying to remember more, is just not gonna happen. Take a picture of the passwords and keep it on your phone. Do that the first day!

Overall good though, and we would stay at this property again.

Great Location and View

Recently stayed for 9 nights at Sterling Sands. Stayed in #313 VRBO property. The condo was amazing. The owner, Kori had thought of everything. Beach towels…extra charging stations…modern, updated condo with all amenities. The view was spectacular and Kori was a dream to work with. Augustine and the beach crew were friendly, polite and a took care of every need. Sterling Sands is the gem of the Destin Beachfront Condos

Wonderful Stay

We want to highlight our experience at Sterling Sands.

 
 The condo (509) and was great.  Exactly as advertised.  The people from Vacasa reached out multiple time to ensure our stay was pleasant. The room was clean and well stocked.  We could have use a few extra blankets for the pull out sofa bed (only provided a sheet) a quick trip to Walmart and that was resolved.  Condo locker right outside the condo was stocked with some nice beach gear.  

About a week before our arrival I received an email (from the HOA) that stated we needed to pay $5.00+tax per person to obtain a amenity use wrist band that would allow us access to the pool, fitness area, grill area and beach.  Having already paid $3500+ i would have hoped there wouldn’t be any extra fees right before arrival.  This is not confirmed but we did hear if you lose your wristband the replacement fee was $35.
When you decide to go to the beach you have 2 options on where to sit.  For $37.00 you can rent 2 chairs and an umbrella for one day.   These are lined up at least 3 rows deep from the edge of the water.  Your other options is to use your own chairs and sit behind the rental chairs.  There is little room in the “back” to sit because of the 4 wheeler lane for the sheriff and lifeguards.  Had we know this up front this would have been a deal breaker.  Our son took his chair down into the water and the beach service rep told him he had to move to the back.  At no point can you put your own chairs in front of the rental chairs, even in the water.  
When you decide to drive back toward Crab Island you have to find a place to make a U Turn to go that way.  If you are coming back from Destin Commons you have to make a U Turn to get back into Sterling Sands parking lot.  Not a deal breaker but just information, I expect a lot of condos are like this.   Traffic can be very heavy in the evening making the U Turns difficult.
Codes, Codes and more Codes.  There is a 6 digit code to get into your room.  There is a 4 digit code to get to the pool.  The same 4 digit code will get you from the beach back to the pool.  To get to the beach a 4 digit code for gate, then you have to pull a latch on the pool gate to get to the sidewalk, then you have to push a button on the beach gate to get out.  Just lots of numbers to remember.  Take a sharpie to write the codes of the kids wristbands.
There are only steps going down to the beach.  Saw numerous people carrying beach carts and strollers up and down those steps.  

For us the deal breaker is the hidden fees.  Fees to use the facilities and the $37 fee per day for the beach char.  All in all it would be another $30+ for wristbands and $259 for 7 days of chair rentals.  If you only wanted 2 chairs there was 10 in our party we had 2 condos.

Condo was great, some surprises.

Our condo (room 311) was okay. The smaller two bedroom unit has an extremely small second bedroom with no closet. It was too small for two teenagers. Bathrooms are also small. The kitchen and living area was nice. Elevators at the condo are lacking and extremely slow. Road noise is awful also in the bedrooms, and I’m used to having oceanfront bedrooms at the beach; these are in the front of the condo. 
The beach chair service was terrible. We had a large group, which I understand can be difficult to accommodate. The first day the guy told us we would be in the back, but he would move us the next day. They did not move us until our last day, and throughout the week, we were all the way near their beach hut. Also, it began drizzling one afternoon with no wind at all. The beach service guy began closing umbrellas and closed ours while we sat there. He argued with us that there were thunderstorms coming though, but it literally drizzled, and the sun eventually came out. Other condos kept their umbrellas up. The guys were so rude anytime we tried to talk to them.

Condo is okay, beach chair service is horrible.

First, there is no easier check in process in all of Destin. Stayed in condo #413, the room was spectacular. Immaculate and decorated perfectly. Rooms are big, and comfy. The view is amazing. The beach access is great and the facilities like the pool hot tub and fitness center are great. Highly recommend.

Sterling Sands Resort by Panhandle Getaways

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