Hotel Effie SanDestin
When my husband and I stayed at Hotel Effie shortly after it opened, we weren’t sure what to expect. But let me tell you, this place showed up already knowing who she was. Polished, warm, modern, effortlessly gorgeous. It struck that balance between relaxed and upscale without ever trying too hard.
Effie sits on the quieter bay side of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was serene, chic, and very grown up. Clean lines, coastal tones, and subtle luxury made every corner feel intentional and refined.
Where We Slept
The rooms at Effie are immaculate, spacious, and beautifully designed. It wasn’t cozy in the traditional sense, no warm cottage charm, but it was indulgent and very comfortable. The bed was one of the best I’ve slept in, with a plush mattress that made sleeping in almost mandatory. The layout gave us room to stretch out and breathe, with elegant lighting and a simple coffee maker setup. There was no stocked mini fridge or extravagant extras, but everything was clean, intentional, and high-end.
The Rooftop Pool and Lounge
We did spend time at the rooftop pool and lounge area, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The views alone are reason enough to stay here. It’s the only rooftop pool on the Emerald Coast, and from up there, you get panoramic views that stretch from the bay to the Gulf. It was definitely a popular spot, crowded most of the time, but it’s adults only, which helped keep the atmosphere more relaxed than rowdy.
We didn’t go into the rooftop bar itself, Ara, but it’s available if you want cocktails or small plates poolside. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the hotel and worth carving out time for.
Bougie Bathrooms and First Impressions
The lobby bathrooms alone deserve their own paragraph. I’ve stayed in luxury hotels across the country, and these were top tier. Spacious, pristine, and finished like a high end spa. It’s not often you leave a public restroom and feel the need to tell people about it, but here we are.
Built for the Feed, and the Blogger Life
Hotel Effie was clearly built with visuals in mind. It’s a total blogger’s dream. From the soft coastal color palette to the perfectly placed furniture and lighting, every corner of this property feels intentionally styled.
It’s not just photogenic, it’s effortlessly so. Whether you’re a travel blogger, lifestyle content creator, or just someone who wants their vacation photos to pop without trying too hard, Effie delivers the kind of backdrop that does the work for you.
Add in little details like Piña Colada Day at the rooftop and nightly fresh baked cookies in the lobby at 8 PM, and you’ve got an experience that practically begs to be documented. It’s polished, on brand, and yes, made for the feed.
Amenities You’ll Actually Want
We didn’t get to everything, but the amenity list is stacked. Spa Liliana offers massages, facials, and full body treatments. There’s a fitness center open 24/7, concierge service, valet and self parking, and shuttle transportation around the resort.
The $45–$50 daily resort fee includes:
- Rooftop pool access
- Bike, kayak, and boogie board rentals
- Tennis court time and golf access
- Bottled water
- Wifi and fitness center use
- Resort shuttle service
Beach chairs and umbrellas aren’t included, but you can rent them through the resort or bring your own like we did. We spent most of our time going between the beach and HarborWalk anyway.
Location, Location, Location
Effie’s location is unbeatable. You’ve got private beach access just across the street, a two minute drive at most, and the hotel offers a shuttle if you prefer.
It’s also an easy walk to HarborWalk Village, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Shops, live music, art booths, and views for days. It’s got that charming boardwalk feel and just enough nightlife to keep things interesting without being overwhelming.
Resort Perks, Parking, Check In, and Crowd Vibes
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Parking options:
Self-parking: $25 per night
Valet: $32 per night
EV charging via valet: $20 per night
Deposit: A refundable incidental hold of one night’s room rate plus $100 per day is held at check-in.
Crowd note: It did get a little noisy Friday and Saturday nights when the younger, college aged crowd rolled back in from partying. But it wasn’t disruptive, just a bit of late night hallway chatter. Nothing that made us feel unsafe or kept us awake.
Staff: Friendly and professional across the board. There was a polished vibe to the service, but overall, we felt well taken care of.
What It Cost Us
We stayed for 4 days and 3 nights in mid June. Here’s our actual breakdown:
Item Cost
Room rate (3 nights) $870.00
Resort fee (3 nights) $151.20
Self-parking (3 nights) $75.00
Total before tax $1,096.20
We didn’t splurge on extras this time, no spa, no in-room dining. Just sunshine, saltwater, and time to slow down.
Final Thoughts
Hotel Effie is the real deal. Sleek, photo worthy, and genuinely comfortable in all the ways that matter. It’s luxury without the attitude, style without the fuss.
Would I stay again? Absolutely. Between the rooftop pool, private beach access, proximity to HarborWalk, and those heavenly beds, it’s already earned a repeat spot on my travel list.
If you’re looking for a romantic, coastal getaway with just the right balance of charm, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, Hotel Effie delivers.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Category Rating
Comfort ★★★★☆
Cleanliness ★★★★☆
Views ★★★★☆
Bed Quality ★★★★☆
Upscale Vibe ★★★★☆
Pros
- Rooftop pool with stunning panoramic views
- Spacious, immaculate rooms with ultra-comfy beds
- Built in photo moments everywhere, a blogger’s dream
- Private beach access just across the street
- Walkable to HarborWalk Village
- Excellent location without being chaotic
- Nightly cookies in the lobby at 8 PM
- Spa on site for those longer stays
- Rooftop pool is adults only and peaceful
Cons
- It’s definitely on the pricier side, luxury comes at a cost
- Weekend nights can get a bit noisy with younger guests returning from nights out
- No beach chairs or umbrellas included, you’ll need to rent or bring your own
🫶🏼 – Ali
