Pros

  • Peaceful waterfront setting, less than five minutes from Destin
  • Private white-sand beach with equipment rentals
  • Spacious, homey condos with full kitchens
  • Five pools (two heated) and three whirlpools
  • Nine-hole, par-three golf course
  • Tennis complex with six courts and pro shop
  • Multiple on-site restaurants
  • Boat slip rentals and launch area
  • Guest laundry facilities
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Pet friendly (for a fee)
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Cons

  • Individually owned units vary in condition and styling
  • Road noise can be heard in units near the highway
  • Spotty Wi-Fi access in some units
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Bottom Line

The three-pearl Sandpiper Cove is a good choice for families and couples seeking a comfortable and quiet resort setting on the beach. Just five minutes from Destin Harbor, this huge property offers attractive amenities such as a private beach, boat slips for rent, golf, five pools, a tennis complex, and solid on-site dining. The 631 individually owned condos are spacious and homey, with full kitchens and washer/dryer sets in most. They are generally clean and well maintained, but some guests have reported outdated furnishings or maintenance and general housekeeping issues. Rates are attractive, but it might pay to compare rates and amenities with other nearby properties, such as the three-pearl Sundestin Beach Resort.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Sandpiper Cove

Scene

Peaceful, family-oriented resort with a casual beach vibe

The Sandpiper is all about the casual beach lifestyle, as evidenced by the large beach mural encompassing an entire wall in the registration office. Units are scattered across 43 acres, so the families and couples who frequent the resort tend to be spread out as well. Water is the main attraction here, with a long expanse of white sand beach, five pools, and slips where some guests dock their boats. The small golf course is wedged in between units, so golfers often are seen walking the beautifully landscaped grounds that are lined by stately palm trees. Overall, it's a peaceful place that feels worlds away from the bustle of big cities. 

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Location

Quiet beachside location, less than five minutes from Destin Harbor

The beachfront resort is located on Gulf Shore Drive, just off Highway 98, east of Destin. It's a quiet setting that’s surrounded by other resorts and vacation rental communities, with the closest restaurant about a four-minute walk and others within seven to 10 minutes by car. Units are spread out quite a bit, and guests staying in condos closest to the highway must walk a few minutes to reach the beach. There are dozens of shops and restaurants nearby, plus a Walmart Supercenter only six minutes away by car. Many attractions are within easy reach along Highway 98. 

  • Three-minute drive to Big Kahuna Water Park
  • Four-minute drive to Destin Harbor
  • Five-minute drive to Henderson Beach State Park
  • 12-minute drive to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure
  • 15-minute drive to Silver Sands Premium Outlets
  • 17-minute drive to Fort Walton Beach
  • 30-minute drive to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
  • 60-minute drive to Panama City Beach
  • 75-minute drive (approximately) to NW Florida Beaches International Airport
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Rooms

Spacious, homey condos with full kitchens; most with washer/dryer sets

Rooms at the Sandpiper are what you’d expect from a beachside condo complex. The individually owned and decorated units generally emphasize a casual, beach lifestyle look, with lots of bright shades of blue, yellow, and green with white accents. Wicker furniture and glass tables are common, as is nautical-theme artwork. Beige tile is most frequently seen for flooring in these spacious, home-like units, but carpeting and even nice hardwood floors are used in some. Most -- but not all -- units include washer/dryer sets, and all have full kitchens. Other common amenities include multiple flat-screen TVs with cable access, sleeper sofas, and dining tables. Some units have upscale aspects such as granite counters, leather chairs and sofas, stainless steel appliances, and glass-enclosed walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. On the flip side, units exist with decidedly dated styles that are most commonly seen in the kitchens and bathrooms. Also, while most of the condos are generally clean and well maintained, several guests have reported general cleanliness and maintenance issues, such as stained carpets, worn-out mattresses, and dirty floors. Options range from Studios to Three Bedrooms and are priced and offered by view -- beach, golf course, lake, canal, etc. Views from the covered decks can be lovely, but others offer limited or rather pedestrian views. 

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Features

Private beach, five pools, six tennis courts, dining, golf course, and boat slips

The extensive features at this sprawling resort are a major draw for guests. They include a par-three, nine-hole golf course, six tennis courts (three lighted), five outdoor pools (two heated), three whirlpools, and a boat slip rentals/launch area on the canal. Umbrellas, chairs, kayaks, paddle boards, and boogie boards are available for rent at the private beach. Rick’s Sand Trap Beach Bar & Grill serves casual lunches and dinners, and the Louisiana Lagniappe specializes in fresh seafood at dinner. The registration office sells souvenirs such as T-shirts and coffee mugs. Ample free parking is available on site, and there are grills, picnic tables, and vending machines near the beach. There's also a tennis complex with adjacent shuffleboard courts. Guest laundry facilities are available on site for those who don't have washers and dryers in their condos. Pets up to 30 pounds are welcome in select units for a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but some guests have reported spotty connections in their rooms. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Sandpiper Cove

Scene

Peaceful, family-oriented resort with a casual beach vibe

The Sandpiper is all about the casual beach lifestyle, as evidenced by the large beach mural encompassing an entire wall in the registration office. Units are scattered across 43 acres, so the families and couples who frequent the resort tend to be spread out as well. Water is the main attraction here, with a long expanse of white sand beach, five pools, and slips where some guests dock their boats. The small golf course is wedged in between units, so golfers often are seen walking the beautifully landscaped grounds that are lined by stately palm trees. Overall, it's a peaceful place that feels worlds away from the bustle of big cities. 

See More Scene

Location

Quiet beachside location, less than five minutes from Destin Harbor

The beachfront resort is located on Gulf Shore Drive, just off Highway 98, east of Destin. It's a quiet setting that’s surrounded by other resorts and vacation rental communities, with the closest restaurant about a four-minute walk and others within seven to 10 minutes by car. Units are spread out quite a bit, and guests staying in condos closest to the highway must walk a few minutes to reach the beach. There are dozens of shops and restaurants nearby, plus a Walmart Supercenter only six minutes away by car. Many attractions are within easy reach along Highway 98. 

  • Three-minute drive to Big Kahuna Water Park
  • Four-minute drive to Destin Harbor
  • Five-minute drive to Henderson Beach State Park
  • 12-minute drive to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure
  • 15-minute drive to Silver Sands Premium Outlets
  • 17-minute drive to Fort Walton Beach
  • 30-minute drive to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
  • 60-minute drive to Panama City Beach
  • 75-minute drive (approximately) to NW Florida Beaches International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Spacious, homey condos with full kitchens; most with washer/dryer sets

Rooms at the Sandpiper are what you’d expect from a beachside condo complex. The individually owned and decorated units generally emphasize a casual, beach lifestyle look, with lots of bright shades of blue, yellow, and green with white accents. Wicker furniture and glass tables are common, as is nautical-theme artwork. Beige tile is most frequently seen for flooring in these spacious, home-like units, but carpeting and even nice hardwood floors are used in some. Most -- but not all -- units include washer/dryer sets, and all have full kitchens. Other common amenities include multiple flat-screen TVs with cable access, sleeper sofas, and dining tables. Some units have upscale aspects such as granite counters, leather chairs and sofas, stainless steel appliances, and glass-enclosed walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. On the flip side, units exist with decidedly dated styles that are most commonly seen in the kitchens and bathrooms. Also, while most of the condos are generally clean and well maintained, several guests have reported general cleanliness and maintenance issues, such as stained carpets, worn-out mattresses, and dirty floors. Options range from Studios to Three Bedrooms and are priced and offered by view -- beach, golf course, lake, canal, etc. Views from the covered decks can be lovely, but others offer limited or rather pedestrian views. 

See More Rooms

Features

Private beach, five pools, six tennis courts, dining, golf course, and boat slips

The extensive features at this sprawling resort are a major draw for guests. They include a par-three, nine-hole golf course, six tennis courts (three lighted), five outdoor pools (two heated), three whirlpools, and a boat slip rentals/launch area on the canal. Umbrellas, chairs, kayaks, paddle boards, and boogie boards are available for rent at the private beach. Rick’s Sand Trap Beach Bar & Grill serves casual lunches and dinners, and the Louisiana Lagniappe specializes in fresh seafood at dinner. The registration office sells souvenirs such as T-shirts and coffee mugs. Ample free parking is available on site, and there are grills, picnic tables, and vending machines near the beach. There's also a tennis complex with adjacent shuffleboard courts. Guest laundry facilities are available on site for those who don't have washers and dryers in their condos. Pets up to 30 pounds are welcome in select units for a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but some guests have reported spotty connections in their rooms. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • 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.