The Best Hotels to Book in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

For more than 50 years, this friendly hotel has welcomed guests to its coastal-cool rooms featuring warm wood elements and pops of bright ocean blue – book one with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Children will love a meeting with Misty, the resident mermaid. Cool off under the waterfalls in the Grotto Pool – there’s even a swim-up bar for an ocean-themed cocktail – then make a splash at dive-in movie nights.

Everyone will love this family-friendly oceanfront hotel, a four-minute walk from Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. The light and airy rooms with soft grays and pops of turquoise furniture keep things relaxing before you all dive into one of the two outdoor heated pools and bubble in the hot tub. Finish the perfect day with a seafood bucket filled with jumbo shrimp and golden fries before catching some Zs.

If the white-sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico isn’t enough to entice you to this beachfront resort, perhaps the outdoor lazy river pool, indoor heated pool and hot tub are. Did we mention the beachfront tiki bar, game room, Dive-Inn movies and kid-friendly activities? Every room and suite channels a tropical vibe, and many of them come with private balconies, providing the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

At the Courtyard, ocean-themed murals and colorful cushions liven up pared-back rooms – choose ocean view, bay view or partial view for sea sightings. The nearby dining is eclectic, ranging from an Irish pub to Japanese seafood and steak and a Greek hotspot, but at the hotel, it’s all-American come breakfast time, with waffles and hot coffee. Find a spot and relax under a beach umbrella, or go for a swim in the beachfront pool. Later, drive the 30 minutes to visit every creature, from rhinos to budgies, at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

This hotel may be near the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, but forget about work and toast the sunset at the hotel tiki bar instead. The whole family will love a play in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico or an all-day float on the lazy river. Sunshine-yellow rooms reflect the seaside setting, 10 minutes from central Fort Walton Beach; choose a gulf or pool view – or both. Start each day with a cooked American breakfast, including eggs sunny side up, of course.

Whether you stay for a few days, a few weeks or a few months, you’ll feel right at home in a spacious studio or one-bedroom suite with hints of the sky and sea in the decor. Take advantage of the complimentary grocery delivery service so that you can focus on giving your all to swimming in the outdoor pool or working out in the on-site fitness center. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast before walking four blocks or so to the Indian Temple Mound Museum.

A light touch decor-wise at this modern beachfront hotel equals rooms bathed in pale pistachio green and lots of light; some come with a private patio and a pool view. Leave the unpacking for later – you’ll find the powder-soft sand and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico ready for you to explore, cocktail in hand. Cool off even more at the Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, 8mi (13km) away.

Budget-conscious families and friends will love the on-site fitness center, heated pool and, of course, the white-sand beach. Comfortable rooms feature warm, honeyed tones, and most have coastal views. A complimentary breakfast keeps you healthy with granola and yogurt ahead of an active day of horseback riding, snorkeling and miniature golf nearby. As Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is only 11mi (18km) away, you can spend longer soaking up the sun on the last day of your trip.