Last week we checked into the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin just an hour down the road from us. We had family coming into town from Colorado for the week and we were celebrating one of our cousins 60th birthday! This is the second Summer in a row that we have met them in Destin and stayed at the Henderson Resort and I am excited to tell you all about it.
If you’re dreaming of sugar-white sand, emerald waters, and a fun-filled hotel experience, The Henderson Beach in Destin, Florida, is exactly where you want to be. This trip we spent a long weekend at the charming resort and left feeling spoiled because when we went to check-in on our first day; they had upgraded us from a one bedroom hotel room to their two bedroom (plus a bunk room) vacation rental condo! It felt so new and was so luxurious and spacious! The kids were so excited.
A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Destin
The Henderson Beach Resort has multiple options to choose from…
The main resort (where we stayed) is beautifully designed in classic coastal style, with manicured grounds, grand architecture, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Families and couples alike love it for its easy beach access, thoughtful activities, and multiple pools—including an adults-only pool and a lively family pool with a lazy river.
Tucked just steps away from the more expansive Henderson Beach Resort, The Henderson Park Inn offers a more intimate, adults-only retreat. This is the original building which is a bit older but offers great service and beachfront views—Southern hospitality at its finest. The Inn is stretched along the gorgeous white sand coastline and offers beach access to all the guests staying at the Henderson Beach Resort.
While The Henderson Park Inn offers a peaceful, adults-only experience, the adjacent Henderson Beach Resort brings family-friendly luxury to the same stunning stretch of Destin coastline.
Rooms With a View
Our room was part of the Parkside Condos and had a partial Gulf view and was steps away one of several pools located on property. The décor is light, airy, and coastal chic—think soft blues, driftwood accents, and luxurious bedding. Each room comes with thoughtful touches like plush robes and a Nespresso machine. Our condo had two King bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and then a small set of bunk beds tucked away by the washer and dryer. We also had another full bath just steps from the bunk room. We had a nice size living space as well as a small bar counter and a fully stocked kitchen.
Private Beach Perks
The real highlight? The Inn has its own private stretch of beach with complimentary chairs and umbrellas for guests. It never felt crowded, and the water was crystal clear—perfect for floating, snorkeling, or just relaxing with a book in hand. They even offer beachside food and drink service, which felt like such a treat.
If you are staying at the larger Henderson Beach Resort, you have complimentary access to the beach just across the street and you can rent your own chairs and umbrella for the day.
Resort Highlights
Full-Service Spa: The Salamander Spa is an oasis within an oasis. Think massages, facials, steam rooms, and a full menu of treatments to melt away stress.
Dining Options: From fresh seafood at Horizons to casual bites at the Rooftop bar (we loved the sushi) and Primrose Italian, there’s a great mix of dining options. Don’t miss sunset drinks at the rooftop—it’s one of the best spots to watch the sky turn pink over the Gulf.
Family Fun: There’s a daily roster of activities for kids, including nature walks, crafts, movie nights, and games by the pool. Bike rentals, paddleboards, and beach toys are also available. We had some fun joining in on the hula hoop and limbo contest poolside.
Poppy’s Kids Club: We didn’t utilize this service on this trip but they offer a kids club that you can reserve ahead of time in the Spring and Summer to let your kids play while you enjoy a little adult time to yourself.
Sprinkles Ice Cream & Coffee Shop: The kids loved being able to grab ice cream at this cute little shop after a day of swimming in the pool and the adults loved being able to grab a quick bite for breakfast if needed and a morning Starbucks coffee.
Access to Henderson Beach State Park: The resort sits right next to one of Destin’s prettiest protected beach parks, perfect for a morning walk, dolphin spotting, or an unspoiled beach day.
Events & Weddings: Many couples choose The Henderson Beach Resort for destination weddings, vow renewals, or romantic getaways. The lawn and beachfront venues are stunning backdrops for special moments. They had a STUNNING wedding happening while we there for the weekend, I was really wishing to sneak in and be a part of it!! 🙂
Dining at the Henderson
Although Destin has plenty of dining options, we loved that the Henderson had quite a few dining options right on property. By day, we dined at Primrose each morning for a wonderful breakfast buffet (menu options available as well) and then poolside each day. Each pool has food and beverage service and often time’s fun entertainment for the family. For the evenings you have several different restaurants to choose from:
Horizons: Casual seafood cuisine with a view of the Gulf Coast. They also have great pizza options.
Primrose: Upscale Italian menu with wonderful seafood options as well.
The Rooftop: A beautiful bar and dining option with small plates and a great sushi menu.
Beach Walk Cafe: A beautiful southern fine dining experience with an assortment of seafood dishes to choose from.
Exploring Destin
We ventured off property for a bit of exploring—Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Big Kahunas Waterpark (read our experience here), and browsing shops at Grand Boulevard—but honestly, it was always nice to get back to our condo. If you’re looking for ideas and things to do in Destin, you can read my full Destin travel guide here. We’ve spent many of days in Destin since we are only an hour away and always enjoy exploring new (and old) restaurants and fun things to do with the kids.
Final Thoughts
Our stay at The Henderson Beach Resort was everything we hoped for and more—beautiful, fun, entertaining and perfectly positioned to soak in the best of Destin. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway (stay at the Inn), a quick weekend retreat or a big family trip, this beachside haven is the perfect destination. I love that it had everything we needed right at our fingertips. The Destin traffic is known to get pretty bad in the Summer, so not having to get in our car and leave in the evenings or for some of our daytime fun was quite a luxury.
I would highly recommend this spot in Destin and loved all it had to offer for a family with kids. I look forward to enjoying it again in the future.
Leave a comment if you’ve stayed at one of these Henderson Beach properties before!
