Awards & Recognition
Part of what makes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort such a special place is that our commitment to excellence—for our guests, our community, our homeowners, and our employees—drives everything we do. We’re proud of every award and recognition we’ve received for that commitment, as well as for our outstanding, service-centered culture. But the best recognition comes from everyone who visits, meets, lives, and enjoys our resort year after year.
Award Winning Florida Golf and Beach Resort
Best Restaurant in Walton County, Ovide
2022
Best Men's Apparel/Shoes, Island Clothiers
2022
Best Resort, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
2022
Best Golf Course, The Raven
2022
Best Hotel, Hotel Effie
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Golf Course - Raven Golf Club, Gold
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Hotel/Resort - Hotel Effie
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Event - Sandestin Wine Festival, Platinum
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Tennis Facility - Sandestin Tennis Center, Gold
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Conference Space - Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Diamond
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Kids Attraction - The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Platinum
2022
Perfect in South Walton - Best Spa - Spa Lilliana, Gold
2022
Perfect in South Walton Award Winner
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Best Resort in Destin, Destin Magazine
2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012
Best Florida Residential Courses, #18, Golfweek magazine for Burnt Pine Golf Club
2020, 2019, 2018
Perfect in South Walton “Meeting Space”
2016
Best Buffalo Wings in Destin, Destin Magazine for Fat Tuesday
2015
Finest Women’s Clothing (Barefoot Princess), Northwest Florida Daily News
2013
Perfect in South Walton - Best Golf Course – Gold
2021
Best Children’s Clothing in Destin, Destin Magazine for Coconut Kidz
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice
2023
Best Women’s Accessories in Destin, Destin Magazine for Barefoot Princess
2016
Top 10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips, Golf Digest
2015
Emerald Coast’s Finest Resort, by Northwest Florida Daily News
2013, 2012
Best Place to Take Kids in Destin, Destin Magazine for The Village of Baytowne Wharf
2017, 2016
Best Children's Clothing, Emerald Coast Magazine for Coconut Kidz
2016
Best Romantic/ Special Occasion Restaurant, Ovide
2022
Best Women's Boutique, Barefoot Princess
2022
Best Courses in NW Florida, Florida Golf Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for Burnt Pine Golf Club
2015
Best in Resorts - Americas, Golf Digest
2022
Best Public Courses, GOLF Magazine
2012
Best Resort Courses, Golfweek Magazine for Burnt Pine Golf CLub
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Best Women’s Clothing in Destin, Destin Magazine for Barefoot Princess
2017, 2016, 2015
Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor for Marina Bar & Grill
2016
Best Bartender in Destin, Destin Magazine for Fat Tuesday
2015, 2014
Top 75 Golf Resorts ~ Silver Medalist, Golf Magazine
2012, 2008, 2006, 2004
Readers’ Choice Award, ConventionSouth magazine
2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012
Home to the Golfweek Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Fall Invitational
2017-2012
Best Courses You Can Play, Golfweek magazine
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Women’s Accessories: Barefoot Princess, Emerald Coast Magazine
2021, 2014
Best Entertainment in Destin
2021
Best Family Beach Destination, Birmingham Magazine
2018
Perfect in South Walton “Best One Day Event”, Sandestin Gumbo Festival
2016
Best Meeting Facility in Destin, Destin Magazine
2015
Gold Key Award, Meetings & Conventions magazine
2013
Perfect in South Walton - Best Tennis Facility – Platinum
2021
Best Place for a Girls’ Night Out in Destin, Destin Magazine for The Village of Baytowne Wharf
2018, 2017
Golf Advisor Top 100 Best Public Golf Courses of the PGA Tour's Champions circuit, Raven Golf Club
2016
Best Place to Spoil Him in Destin, Destin Magazine for Island Clothiers
2015
Home to the NCAA Division III National Championships
2013
Perfect in South Walton - Best Hotel / Resort – Gold
2021
Best Men’s Clothing in Destin, Destin Magazine for Island Clothiers
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Best Tennis, Emerald Coast Magazine
2016
Best Reception Venue in Destin, Destin Magazine for Magnolia Ballroom
2015
Editor’s Hot Pick for South’s Top All-Around Value Resort, Convention South magazine
2013
Top Resort in the Gulf Coast Region, New England Golf Monthly for Best in Golf Awards
2017
Finest on the Emerald Coast Men’s Clothing, Northwest Florida Daily News for Island Clothiers
2016
Top 75 Florida Golf Courses, Golf Digest for Burnt Pine, Raven and The Links Golf Club
2015
Best of Weddings presented by The Knot
2013, 2012
Best Local Event, Emerald Coast Magazine for the Annual Sandestin Wine Festival
2017
Finest on the Emerald Coast Children’s Clothing, Northwest Florida Daily News for Coconut Kidz
2016
Florida’s Favorite Golf Courses, Florida Golf Magazine
2015
Fodor’s Choice selection
2012, 2011
Certificate of Excellence - TRIP ADVISOR
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
Best Local Attraction, Emerald Coast Magazine for The Village of Baytowne Wharf
2017, 2016
Best Place for a Kids Birthday, Emerald Coast Magazine for BLAST
2016
PGA Dixie Section Merchandiser of the Year, PGA
2015
Premier Golf Resorts, GOLF Magazine
2012
Best Golf Courses You Can Play in Florida, GOLF Magazine
2017, 2016
Perfect in South Walton “Kids Attraction”, Baytowne Adventure Zone
2016
Best Casual Dining in Destin, Destin Magazine for Marina Bar & Grill
2015
New or Renovated Meeting Site Award, Convention South magazine
2012
Best of Meetings Today, Meetings Today Magazine
2018, 2017, 2016
Best Local Event in Destin, Destin Magazine for the Annual Sandestin Wine Festival
2017, 2015, 2014
Best Toy Store in Destin, Destin Magazine for Toys & Treasures
2016, 2015
Best Travel Finds, Redbook magazine
2014
Best Fall Trips Florida’s Emerald Coast named, Voted by National Geographic
2011
Best Resort, Emerald Coast Magazine
2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Award of Excellence, Corporate & Incentive Travel
2017, 2014
Top 100 Tennis Resorts & Camps, Tennis Resorts Online
2016, 2015, 2014
Top 100 Resorts, Cvent
2014
Home to the PGA Champions Tour Boeing Championship
2006, 2007
#1 Best Hotel in Destin, U.S. News & World Report
2016, 2015, 2014
Top Room Night Producer in Destin, Expedia
2016
Best Hotels in the USA, U.S. News & World Report
2015, 2014
100 Most Popular Meeting Resorts, Cvent
2014, 2013
Best Services in Destin
2021
Perfect in South Walton Award Winner: “Meeting Space”, “Event Venue”, “Spa Sandestin”, “Raven Golf”, “ Tennis Club, “Barefoot Princess Retail” , Visit South Walton
2018
Best Place to take the Kids, Emerald Coast Magazine
2016
Parents’ Picks Birmingham’s Best, Birmingham Magazine
2015
Gold Tee Award, Meetings & Conventions magazine
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Event Venue in Destin
2021