Shell Island Kid friendly Vacations

The property is old and you can tell. The room was average, but the bed was actually comfortable. And that's coming from from a pregnant woman who is picky about the mattress. Unfortunately though, we were placed in a room that was right next to the ice machine and it was VERY loud. We could hear it over our ear buds and it woke us up several times throughout the night and early morning as people stopped to get ice. We would've had a much better night's sleep if it weren't for that ice machine. There was an event happening that weekend so we couldn't move rooms without downgrading from our beach view king room. They need to make a dedicated room for that machine. Other than that, the pool and location were great. I liked that it was right on the beach and next to the boardwalk/restaurants and only a 12 minute drive to Destin. The beach water does change day-to-day. When we first arrived, I wasn't impressed with the water and we went to Henderson beach state park instead. On day 3, the water looked a lot clearer and nicer so we got in. Overall, it's a budget resort that gets the job done, but don't expect a fancy 5 star resort like the all inclusive ones in Cancun. There is an extra daily resort fee and $15 daily parking fee currently.

This was a very nice apartment for rent.”The Landing” is a company who rents apartments from a complex and furnishes the apartments to rent out for one night or for a month or more. Everything was spot on! Some places you rent for short term, they ask you to wash your bedding etc before leaving. None of that! It’s a very quiet community, dog park, pool. However, you cannot get help from the apartment complex with your codes etc. It’s a sublet apartment. Codes and wifi you must contact “The Landing” and not Expedia or the “Arcadia apartment office” When you check in to the Landing online, they will take you through everything. Thankfully I did screenshot each page I checked because I was never able to access their app that they ask you to download and use. You need to save the key code for the front door that you are given. Save it because everytime you need to go in the building, you must use. Then you will have a code for your apartment door. The door has a “smart door lock”. We had never seen one of these. We were totally stumped at first. They don’t explain it. It’s an all black door knob and all you need to do is touch the knob and it will light up with white numbers like a clock and you punch in the code to the apartment. You do need to turn the deadbolt away from the door jam to unlock. When you leave, make sure you deadbolt the door.

Spent 6 nights at the resort last week and really enjoyed it. We had the executive gulf room with the wrap-around balcony on the west side so you have a full view of the beach and the pool and still see the bay. The room was large, with a sitting area and a hallway closet. The bathroom shower was strong with a detachable shower head. The sink was very shallow and there was only one even though the vanity was long enough to have two. Really the only room complaint. We flew in and didn't rent a car so I was a little worried if the hotel food was not up to par. First night we had the smash burger, gulf shrimp and crab cakes, which were all excellent. Came back for breakfast and the french toast was amazing. Along with the beautiful ocean view and that you can wear your swim fit when dining, our experience at Windrose was excellent. Head west through the doors of the restaurant and you're at the pool, where you can grab a cool drink from the Tiki Bar. There's also the Salty Rose Beach Bar & Grill to the east of the hotel. A couple other items about the area. You have to pay to walk on the pier but you can see jellyfish and dolphins in the clear water. Drift restaurant at the pier has great food, a beautiful view but so-so service. There's a free trolley that can take you to the boardwalk from 4pm-11pm but they don't stop at all the stops so make sure you let the driver know where you want off. Resort concierge has a golf cart where they'll take you places around the beach area.

Beautiful property With nice pools. It is 3 rows in from beach front. I thought it was ocean front by the pictures but that is taken over the state park. We had a nice view of the state park and gulf in the distance. We had to ask for linens for the sleeper sofa for my guests. But had no pillows, had to use the decorative throw pillows. It did take 2 1/2 days before housekeeping stopped by. We had very nice servers in the restaurants. I booked through Expedia that says “ no hidden fees”. I guess I missed the fine print of a daily parking fee and daily resort fee, plus tax. It added up. Not worth the cost.

Beautiful property With nice pools. It is 3 rows in from beach front. I thought it was ocean front by the pictures but that is taken over the state park. We had a nice view of the state park and gulf in the distance. We had to ask for linens for the sleeper sofa for my guests. But had no pillows, had to use the decorative throw pillows. It did take 2 1/2 days before housekeeping stopped by. We had very nice servers in the restaurants. I booked through Expedia that says “ no hidden fees”. I guess I missed the fine print of a daily parking fee and daily resort fee, plus tax. It added up. Not worth the cost.

This was a very nice apartment for rent.”The Landing” is a company who rents apartments from a complex and furnishes the apartments to rent out for one night or for a month or more. Everything was spot on! Some places you rent for short term, they ask you to wash your bedding etc before leaving. None of that! It’s a very quiet community, dog park, pool. However, you cannot get help from the apartment complex with your codes etc. It’s a sublet apartment. Codes and wifi you must contact “The Landing” and not Expedia or the “Arcadia apartment office” When you check in to the Landing online, they will take you through everything. Thankfully I did screenshot each page I checked because I was never able to access their app that they ask you to download and use. You need to save the key code for the front door that you are given. Save it because everytime you need to go in the building, you must use. Then you will have a code for your apartment door. The door has a “smart door lock”. We had never seen one of these. We were totally stumped at first. They don’t explain it. It’s an all black door knob and all you need to do is touch the knob and it will light up with white numbers like a clock and you punch in the code to the apartment. You do need to turn the deadbolt away from the door jam to unlock. When you leave, make sure you deadbolt the door.

Spent 6 nights at the resort last week and really enjoyed it. We had the executive gulf room with the wrap-around balcony on the west side so you have a full view of the beach and the pool and still see the bay. The room was large, with a sitting area and a hallway closet. The bathroom shower was strong with a detachable shower head. The sink was very shallow and there was only one even though the vanity was long enough to have two. Really the only room complaint. We flew in and didn't rent a car so I was a little worried if the hotel food was not up to par. First night we had the smash burger, gulf shrimp and crab cakes, which were all excellent. Came back for breakfast and the french toast was amazing. Along with the beautiful ocean view and that you can wear your swim fit when dining, our experience at Windrose was excellent. Head west through the doors of the restaurant and you're at the pool, where you can grab a cool drink from the Tiki Bar. There's also the Salty Rose Beach Bar & Grill to the east of the hotel. A couple other items about the area. You have to pay to walk on the pier but you can see jellyfish and dolphins in the clear water. Drift restaurant at the pier has great food, a beautiful view but so-so service. There's a free trolley that can take you to the boardwalk from 4pm-11pm but they don't stop at all the stops so make sure you let the driver know where you want off. Resort concierge has a golf cart where they'll take you places around the beach area.

The location is excellent, the beach is great. There's a nice restaurant nearby. The room is your typical motel room with a kitchenette. No balcony or private window.

Room was amazing and I took photos of the bathroom to get ideas for our future build

I enjoy the room however the shower was not cleaned there was black dirt or mold around the edge of the glass seams