How to Find the Perfect Destin or 30A Vacation Rental

January 17, 2022

Finding the perfect vacation rental for your annual family vacation or even a long weekend for two can feel a little daunting when there are so many options to choose from. If you’re planning a trip to Destin or 30A, the vacation rental prospects are seemingly endless—from Gulf-front condominiums with ample amenities to cozy townhomes and luxury homes with private pools.

When you book at myscenicstays.com, there are hundreds of vacation rentals to choose from throughout Destin and 30A—so trust us, we get it! If you’re wondering how to find the perfect vacation rental for your next beach vacation without spending hours upon hours scouring the internet, look no further than myscenicstays.com and our handy list below to help you prioritize what features are most important and forget about the rest (including where to splurge and where to save).

Spoiler alert: you can have it all. It takes just a few minutes to whittle down your ‘must have’ list to find the perfect vacation rental for your next vacation. Let’s get started.

Proximity to the Beach

After decades of first-hand observation across our team of hospitality professionals, we’ve determined that there are two types of beach vacationers: our sun and sand worshipers who just can’t get enough of it and those who seek additional variety in properties and locations.

If you’re here for the beach vibes and don’t care to spend every waking moment with your toes in the sand, consider renting an off-the-beach property. Oftentimes, properties just a few blocks away from the Gulf of Mexico are priced accordingly, so you can splurge where it counts for you and your crew—like fabulous dinners at local 30A restaurants or indulging in a spa day.

If you’re all about sandy toes and salty hair, or your kids will be playing, snacking, and napping in the sand on repeat, get yourself a beach-front vacation rental.

Additionally, consider the logistics required to get your group to the beach. Young kids and infants often require a lot of extra gear and traipsing all of that gear just a few blocks may not be worth it. However, if it’s a group of adults and teenagers, your crew can more than likely handle loading up a wagon or two and walking a few short blocks to the nearest beach access.

#ProTip: Use the map feature to gauge proximity to the beach and the nearest beach access point. Condominiums and neighborhoods typically have dedicated beach access. We’ve also included beach access points in your dedicated guest app, so the locations are easy to find while you’re here.

Amenities (Included or for a fee)

Private pools, heated pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, beach chairs and umbrellas… the list goes on. Amenities can make or break your vacation vibes depending on your expectations and priorities for your trip. In the dead of winter, an indoor heated pool and on-site restaurant can make all the difference, whereas summer vacations may call for a kid-friendly splash pad and outdoor pool. Amenities can also elevate an experience—for example, why drive your car on a vacation if a golf cart comes with the vacation rental?

Aside from glamorous amenities, comfortable accommodations can quickly turn into your ‘home away from home’ when your creature comforts are accounted for in addition to those ‘must have’ amenities—like having access to an outdoor grill or knowing you can wake up to hot coffee in your private kitchen.

#ProTip: Every property listing on myscenicstays.com includes a detailed amenities list to ensure it checks off all the boxes on your ‘must have’ checklist.

Area Attractions

Unless you plan to spend the entirety of your stay catching Zzzz’s, proximity to area attractions is worth considering. Is it important that you’re within walking distance of a handful of restaurants? Or do you need to be within a stone’s throw of the nearest water park?

Or maybe you want to be away from it all. However you plan to spend your time away from your vacation rental is just as important as the vacation rental itself, so make sure to create a list of what you’d like to do while you’re here. If you plan to visit lots of attractions, do yourself a favor and book at a centrally located property (like SunDestin Beach Resort). If you plan to unplug and ride bikes as your primary form of transportation—find yourself on Scenic Highway 30A.

#ProTip: Use the map feature to locate nearby attractions, and make sure to read the property description for our suggestions on what’s worth checking out within close proximity.

View  

For many of us, we have one requirement: catching lots of sunrises and sunsets from the balcony. So, if a Gulf view is an absolute requirement, you’ve come to the right place. However, it’s worth mentioning that Northwest Florida is drop-dead gorgeous in every direction, so you really can’t go wrong!

#ProTip: We understand that the view is often one of the deciding factors in the vacation planning process, so we’ve made sure to show off the view for every vacation rental listing as one of the first few images you see on each property page.

At Scenic Stays, we understand that planning a beach vacation requires a lot of careful consideration, and there’s a lot to take into account beyond the number of bedrooms. As you start planning your next Destin or 30A vacation, we hope you find exactly what you’re looking for right here at myscenicstays.com. But if you need some extra help, we’re always here to help—whether by phone, email, or via your guest app once you arrive.

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