Pros

  • Beachfront location gives direct access the sand and surf
  • Close to several points of interest, shops and restaurants
  • Large rooms with comfy pillowtop beds and deluxe bedding
  • Top floor Junior Suites have corner balconies and bubbling spa tubs
  • Possibility of seeing marine life from upper-level beachfront rooms
  • Poolside bar and indoor lounge with live music nightly
  • Certified green hotel for an eco-friendly stay
  • Free hot breakfast
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
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Cons

  • Not very much indoor common space
  • No on-site fitness center or restaurant
  • No ground-floor rooms
  • Undergoing a slow renovation until 2017
  • No pets allowed
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The 100-room Best Western Fort Walton Beach is the most stylish hotel on the beachfront block -- possibly even the island. With bright and funky Art-Deco inspired decor, it is a welcomed reprise from the monotony of pale and outdated decor too often found in Florida beachfront properties. However, the hotel's age still shows; wear and tear is noticeable in certain features and within its overall design. While this Best Western may lack a few features found at nearby hotels (such as a restaurant and fitness room), the rooms here have a much more contemporary and fresher feel and come with comfy beds and deluxe bedding. Direct beach access and proximity to many points of interest make it a nice value for many types of travelers, especially families.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront

Scene

With a new funky and hip look, this hotel sets itself apart from the competition.

Marked from the main road by the typical Best Western signage, this hotel catches the eye with its frosty mint paint and turquoise accent stripes. The hotel is in the middle of a renovation slated for completion in 2017. Most area hotel lobbies are either outdated or decorated in neutral, pale colors (or both), but one step into the bubblegum lobby at the Best Western Fort Walton and it feels like you're a kid in a candy store. A fresh mint color adorns the walls up to the white tiled ceiling and Floridan art in blue, pink, white, and green hues is found throughout the hotel -- in the hallways, eating area, reception and even the parking garage. Bright furniture, colorful rugs, and patterned curtains are unexpectedly quirky for a mid-range chain hotel. The only indoor area that lacks such vivid personality is the black and white breakfast area.

The updated 50s-style diner dubbed Swizzle Stick Lounge and Martini Bar is complete with chairs that resemble martinis. No comparable hotels in the area match the funky and hip style of the Best Western Fort Walton, and after a sea of sand-colored hotels stuck in the 80s, it can be a welcome difference. Still, despite the sprucing, the hotel can't fully hide its age; many inherent architectural aspects and permanent features of the hotel remain very dated, even after renovations.

See More Scene

Location

This beachfront property serves as a convenient base for all types of travelers.

Situated on Okaloosa Island with the beach as its backyard, the Best Western Fort Walton Beach is an ideal location for those wanting to be directly on the sugar sand beaches of the Gulf without sacrificing proximity to local restaurants, shopping, or popular points of interest. Located off a main road shared with condos, attractions, and gentlemen's clubs, the hotel is around a five- to 15-minute drive from the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Emerald Coast Conference Center, and Hurlburt Field Military Base. Guests can also find water sport rentals, charter fishing trips, snorkeling spots, and golfing close by.

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary rooms, some with gulf views and balconies

While rooms are more contemporary and stylish than those at the nearby Hampton Inn, they seem to be an odd mix of old and new. The curtains, bedskirts, headboards, and furniture seem to be recycled; while the walls, cushions, bed lamps, bed spread, carpets and flat-screen TVs appear to be more recently added. Whatever the case, the rooms are big and clean. Colors are in line with what is found elsewhere in the property; expect bright green walls and bed runners.

All 100 rooms come with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. All 60 of the gulf-facing rooms come with private balconies outfitted with a table and chairs (higher rooms have better views), and both Junior Suites are top-floor corner units featuring wrap-around balconies and spa tubs. There are no ground-floor rooms, but there is a possibility of seeing dolphins, whales or other marine life from the rooms with a beachfront view. Bathrooms are clean typical chain hotel bathrooms with some wear.

See More Rooms

Features

Nice selection of features, but no restaurant or gym on-site

Most of the Best Western Fort Walton's property features are outdoors. There is a heated pool; table tennis; a large outdoor porch with tables, chairs and umbrellas; a private beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs; and the seasonal poolside Cabana Bar. Unlike nearby competitors, this hotel has no on-site restaurant or fitness room (although it does offer its guests a free pass to the local gym). There is not much lounge furniture poolside, but guests can work on their tans on the free loungers at the beach.

Inside, the hotel provides a small computer station (with a copier, printer and fax), a small bookshelf with books and games, and a meeting/event space that can cater to 70 people. The hotel also serves a free hot breakfast buffet with waffles, eggs, bacon, biscuits, and all the usual continental items. In an effort to preserve the delicate Florida beaches, this hotel is certified green and entirely smoke-free.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront

Also Known As

  • BEST WESTERN Ft. Walton Beachfront

Address

380 Santa Rosa Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548-6136, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront

Scene

With a new funky and hip look, this hotel sets itself apart from the competition.

Marked from the main road by the typical Best Western signage, this hotel catches the eye with its frosty mint paint and turquoise accent stripes. The hotel is in the middle of a renovation slated for completion in 2017. Most area hotel lobbies are either outdated or decorated in neutral, pale colors (or both), but one step into the bubblegum lobby at the Best Western Fort Walton and it feels like you're a kid in a candy store. A fresh mint color adorns the walls up to the white tiled ceiling and Floridan art in blue, pink, white, and green hues is found throughout the hotel -- in the hallways, eating area, reception and even the parking garage. Bright furniture, colorful rugs, and patterned curtains are unexpectedly quirky for a mid-range chain hotel. The only indoor area that lacks such vivid personality is the black and white breakfast area.

The updated 50s-style diner dubbed Swizzle Stick Lounge and Martini Bar is complete with chairs that resemble martinis. No comparable hotels in the area match the funky and hip style of the Best Western Fort Walton, and after a sea of sand-colored hotels stuck in the 80s, it can be a welcome difference. Still, despite the sprucing, the hotel can't fully hide its age; many inherent architectural aspects and permanent features of the hotel remain very dated, even after renovations.

See More Scene

Location

This beachfront property serves as a convenient base for all types of travelers.

Situated on Okaloosa Island with the beach as its backyard, the Best Western Fort Walton Beach is an ideal location for those wanting to be directly on the sugar sand beaches of the Gulf without sacrificing proximity to local restaurants, shopping, or popular points of interest. Located off a main road shared with condos, attractions, and gentlemen's clubs, the hotel is around a five- to 15-minute drive from the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Emerald Coast Conference Center, and Hurlburt Field Military Base. Guests can also find water sport rentals, charter fishing trips, snorkeling spots, and golfing close by.

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary rooms, some with gulf views and balconies

While rooms are more contemporary and stylish than those at the nearby Hampton Inn, they seem to be an odd mix of old and new. The curtains, bedskirts, headboards, and furniture seem to be recycled; while the walls, cushions, bed lamps, bed spread, carpets and flat-screen TVs appear to be more recently added. Whatever the case, the rooms are big and clean. Colors are in line with what is found elsewhere in the property; expect bright green walls and bed runners.

All 100 rooms come with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. All 60 of the gulf-facing rooms come with private balconies outfitted with a table and chairs (higher rooms have better views), and both Junior Suites are top-floor corner units featuring wrap-around balconies and spa tubs. There are no ground-floor rooms, but there is a possibility of seeing dolphins, whales or other marine life from the rooms with a beachfront view. Bathrooms are clean typical chain hotel bathrooms with some wear.

See More Rooms

Features

Nice selection of features, but no restaurant or gym on-site

Most of the Best Western Fort Walton's property features are outdoors. There is a heated pool; table tennis; a large outdoor porch with tables, chairs and umbrellas; a private beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs; and the seasonal poolside Cabana Bar. Unlike nearby competitors, this hotel has no on-site restaurant or fitness room (although it does offer its guests a free pass to the local gym). There is not much lounge furniture poolside, but guests can work on their tans on the free loungers at the beach.

Inside, the hotel provides a small computer station (with a copier, printer and fax), a small bookshelf with books and games, and a meeting/event space that can cater to 70 people. The hotel also serves a free hot breakfast buffet with waffles, eggs, bacon, biscuits, and all the usual continental items. In an effort to preserve the delicate Florida beaches, this hotel is certified green and entirely smoke-free.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.