On my second day as a guest at the Henderson Beach Resort, I was scheduled to go to a morning yoga class. But I wasn't feeling it. Somewhat guiltily, I slipped into a pair of sandals and crossed an empty road to the nearby beach.
The sun was climbing, and the emerald waters were glistening. A family strolled by, the children scaring the birds. A fisherman was tending a trio of rods held by tubes in the sand. A line of blue-and-white umbrellas shaded a regiment of mostly empty beach chairs. I felt relaxed and carefree, ready for the new day.
That, in a nutshell, describes the vibe at the Henderson Beach Resort. With five buildings, three large pools and 170 rooms perched on the Florida Panhandle, the Henderson is big enough to offer morning yoga and a host of other activities, amenities and premium features. But its biggest asset may be the sense of tranquility and easy Southern living it confers on guests.
Whether you're floating down the lazy river, recharging with a massage at the spa or watching the sunset from the Rooftop bar, you're never far from a rejuvenating experience at this resort.
That makes it a bit of an anomaly in Destin, where the main road through town is lined with waterparks, minigolf courses, surf shops, arcades, outlet malls and other familiar tourist magnets.
The resort fee at the 170-room resort includes access to a private beach. Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels are extra. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Southern feel
While the exterior look is suggestive of a New England or Cape Cod village, the hotel's large lobby and interior spaces have a more Southern feel, with a wide veranda overlooking the adults pool and an even wider one on another side that offers views of the adjacent 200-acre Henderson Beach State Park.
Magnolia trees dot the park, and a westerly wind lends a fragrant scent to any activities in that space. Our Chef's Table dinner on opening night, normally staged in the kitchen, was moved there to take advantage of the nice weather.
Executive chef Tyler Simmons presented a four-course menu himself. It included carrot-caraway bisque, a spinach salad, a sous vide filet of beef entree and strawberry cheesecake.
The six food venues and lounges at the Henderson vary from pool grills to semiformal dining. Notable is the previously mentioned Rooftop, which offers a vista of the Gulf of Mexico and the adjacent park from seven stories up that is magical at sunset.
The corridors of the resort are lined with vintage black-and-white photos of Destin. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
The Henderson is decorated with 465 pieces of original art, mostly marvelous black-and-white photos of a more rustic Destin in the 1950s and '60s. They line the handsome blue and gold corridors throughout the hotel.
My room was a contrast in tone, with a dark hardwood bed board, bureau, table and nightstands set off by pale-green walls. The spacious bathroom had a window opening into the main bedroom that could be closed off with white plantation shutters. The balcony was deep and roomy; I could have hosted a half dozen guests out there, no problem.
The kitchen of a condo unit adjacent to the main resort. Condo owners can enjoy resort amenities and have their units managed by the resort's rental program. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Condos and Champagne
A big emphasis at resort properties now is building condo units, a competitive product on the Destin hospitality scene. The Henderson Beach Resort is no exception.
Already complete are the Lofts and Parkside, with a combined 118 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. A vast majority are in a rental program managed through the resort. Another 17 units in a third building, the Cottages, are under construction.
The units leverage their connection to the resort. For example, a pre-arrival pantry stocking service is available, as is 24/7 maintenance.
Occupants have access to the pools, spa and dining facilities and early invitations to special dining events such as an October Bubbles, Truffles and Stars evening at the Rooftop, where guests sip Dom Perignon and munch foie gras and caviar while stargazing through telescopes.
Leisure rates for guestrooms range from $325 to $599 and from $595 to $1,250 for eight large suites. There is a $47 daily resort fee ($50 to $64 for condo guests). For vacation rentals, rates range from $349 to $1,299.
The Henderson Beach Resort pays agents a 10% to 12% commission, according to director of sales and marketing Andrew Lott. The resort works with most of the major luxury travel consortia, he said.