The Best Hotels to Book in Miramar Beach, Florida

Come for the sandy shores of the Gulf Coast, stay for the phenomenal food at Hotel Effie Sandestin. With James Beard Award-winning chef Hugh Acheson at the helm, the kitchen will lure you morning, noon and night to sample fresh takes on Southern favorites such as biscuits and gravy, lobster risotto and classic Gulf shrimp cocktail. Back in your junior suite, wet-bar digestifs and palate-cleansing marina views await.

All rooms at the Hilton on Sandestin Beach have plenty of space for your golf clubs, so come prepared to play. With access to four championship courses, you’ll barely have time to enjoy the two beachfront pools. If your golf swing gets a little sore, a massage at the Serenity spa will set you right.

These one-, two- and three-bedroom condos between Miramar and Destin will give you a real taste of Florida life. Take in ocean views from your gulf-facing balcony or the comfort of your homey living room. With your own kitchen, an on-site restaurant and a fitness center at hand, you have everything you need for a self-contained vacation, while the kids will never get tired of wading into the two zero-depth-entry pools.

Because the last thing your vacation needs is cold eggs, each day at Embassy Suites begins with an inclusive made-to-order breakfast. Spend your afternoon on the private-access beach, shifting in the sand only to even out your tan or grab a fried lobster sandwich from the on-site restaurant. After sunset, head indoors for complimentary beer, wine, liquor and snacks at the nightly evening reception.

The beauty of the Miramar Beach area is that you’re never far from the shore, even when you’re staying on the Grand Boulevard entertainment strip. With Miramar Beach just five minutes’ drive from the Courtyard Sandestin, you can cruise over right after you grab a cup of Starbucks from the lobby. If you get caught in summer showers, make a beeline for the nearby Grand Boulevard at Sandestin mall for some shopping.

Building an impromptu beach day into your road trip across the Panhandle? The Hyatt Place is made for quick cruises to the coast. It’s located on Grand Boulevard, so you can scoot over to the seafront before your sunscreen even dries. A free breakfast will give you the energy you need for a day of lying on the sand. And for a late-night cool-down session, the hotel bar is open until midnight.

Turn vacation mode on at the Hilton Garden Inn, where room service and a beach shuttle mean you can really let loose. Wake up with an Irish coffee on the balcony of your double queen suite before slipping into your swimsuit for a dip in the pool. Next, get room service to bring you a filling lunch and another drink before hopping on the shuttle for a day of fun at the beach.

Located just 100yd (91m) from the Emerald Coast, these resort-style suites lay relaxation at your feet. When you’re not embracing the beach, let your mind drift as you soak in your private whirlpool bath or your choice of the two hot tubs and five swimming pools. Once you’re suitably prune-skinned, indulge in discount retail therapy at Silver Sands Factory Outlet Mall, 1.2mi (2km) away.