Trip Report from May 17 - 24th

Well, we’ve been back over a week now so I should write my review. We arrived on Saturday, May 17th. Really that evening was a blur! I was so tired from our trip and the busy week I had just finished and then once we got there my mother-in-law and I were off to Wal-Mart to buy groceries and supplies for the week!

We stayed at Crystal Sands East and West. We have stayed there the past several years but this was our first time to stay in one of the loft units. We love the location of Crystal Sands! We love Scenic 98 and the Crystal Beach area! The loft unit was nice. Same as usual – could stand to be updated but was fine. Crystal Sands are a little older but they are still very nice. The loft was nice. The open air part had the king-size bed and was very spacious. The bathroom on the other hand was tiny! The tub was a mini-variety! Then there was a small room off the bath. I had thought there would be more of a hall up there with that room at the end of it but that was not the case. We have a 16 month old. She is a little behind and does not walk. If you have a toddler that explores you would have to be careful with the loft. It is high and has steep stairs. We put the toddler’s pack and play in the little room off the bath and that worked nicely except that she could see us as soon as she woke up and was ready to get out! Overall the loft unit worked great for us. I do think that when renting a loft unit for 4 adults you should be upped to 4 reserved chairs and umbrellas – but that is not the case! We had to pay for the week for another set-up!

We cooked in most nights. We enjoyed some great fish, shrimp, scallops, and oysters throughout the week. We bought from Sexton’s, Destin Ice, and Shrimpers. We also had some good crab cakes we bought at Wal-Mart’s seafood counter! Go figure!

We ate out two nights. My husband and I wanted to take his parents to Dewey Destin’s and it was yummy as usual. We had the fried grouper sandwiches and some hushpuppies and gumbo. My in-laws were impressed. We also drove around that evening and saw some parts of Destin we have never seen in the 14 (?) years we’ve been coming. My husband likes the round-a-bouts!

The water was not the perfect green, smooth and clear that I love so much. I know that it is hit or miss though. We had yellow and then red flags all week. I prefer to come in August or September too because it is warmer then! It felt nice out but the wind made it cool on the beach to me and the water was too cool to get in past my thighs. I am a wimp. I like warm water! We were able to fill up a little inflatable pool with the gulf-water and let it heat for our daughter since the surf was too rough to sit her at the edge to play. This was a great idea! She loved it! She also loved being walked up and down the beach looking at and listening to the waves. She loves it there! This was her second trip.

Well, despite the rough water it was still a beautiful week with my toes in the sand so we had a wonderful time!

Trip Report from May 17 - 24th

Hey, sounds like you had a pretty good time, enjoyed your report a lot. We stayed in the loft condo also, but it just had a tiny bathroom and bedroom, no extra area. The only thing we did not like was the noise factor from downstairs to upstairs and vice versa. But the beauty of the beach makes up for everything else. Thanks for posting!

Trip Report from May 17 - 24th

So have you always stayed at Crystal Sands East and West?

Forgot to mention the other place we ate! We went to Pompano Joes. I know a lot of you poo-poo on this place but we%26#39;ve never had a bad meal there. My husband LOVES and lives for their grilled crab legs. So, that is what he got and he was not dissapointed. Over the years I have tried several things there and they%26#39;ve all been good but I had never found my ';must-have'; dish until this trip. I ordered the Garlic Crusted Grouper and it was so delicious! I mean - one of the best seasoned and prepared pieces of grouper I%26#39;ve had!

No, we have not always stayed at Crystal Sands - Just the past few years. We have always stayed on Scenic 98 but at many different places both across the street from the beach and on the beach. We usually stay in a low-rise and prefer the Crystal Beach area.

Sounds like you had a great time!! I thought the water a little rough as well, but I didn%26#39;t know that it wasn%26#39;t always like that until recently. Now, we will definitely have to plan a return trip so we can see the crystal clear water. Like we really need an excuse!! :)