Hilton Sandestin Recap (and discount offer!)

I had so much fun visiting the South Walton area of Florida and staying at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa last weekend! The Hilton team really spoiled us from the moment we arrived until we left. It was also so much fun getting to spend time with blogger friends and making new blogger friends! 

If you're not familiar with the 30A stretch of highway in Florida, then you're in for a treat. I visited a few years ago and realized what a wonderful place it is. The water is as clear as can be, the weather is sunny and warm and the sand is powdery white! It feels like you have been transported to the Caribbean and the best part is that you don't even need your passport! 

When we arrived we were greeted with the cutest gift bags in our huge rooms (over 700 sq. feet). The rooms had gorgeous balcony views of the ocean and were so spacious with a sitting/desk area, a huge bathroom, with extra sink area and even a separate bunk bed area! It was so nice to have a deluxe junior suite all to myself but this would be great for getting a group of girlfriends together, or if you are a family, coming down with your children! 

During our stay we got to experience many of the amenities that the Hilton Sandestin has to offer and also got to experience South Walton Fashion Week! They had some really amazing up and coming designers and it was so fun to hang out in the gorgeous tent-- only in Florida does your tent need to be pumped with air conditioning, hah! The photo above is of the group-- these girls were too much fun. I was unsure of what to pack for this trip because to me, October is fall, but in Florida it is still so hot!! I kept it simple in a simple black dress (under $50) and threw on a Murfee for a pop of color! 

We were only there for 4 days, but packed so much in! This photo was taken at an event at The Pearl in Rosemary Beach. This location was gorgeous and definitely felt like we were in another country! It was so much fun to sip on cocktails and snack on donuts with the girls. We then headed to Cowgirl Kitchen for a quick lunch before heading to the Shard Shop. 

The Shard Shop  is an extension to Mary Hong's art studio. Mary Hong is a well known artist who creates 3 dimensional pieces out of broken glass. This experience has to be one of the cooler things I've ever done. I am so not artistic, but after checking out Mary Hong's studio, I felt inspired. A lot of her pieces are abstract, but I went a little more literal! We got to break glass and arrange it on a painted canvas. Above is my (almost) finished pieces. This experience was too much fun-- there was so much creativity and it was actually very calming and relaxing. They also were so nice and wrapped my piece up so nicely so that I was able to carry it on my flight home with me! When I am back in the area, I definitely plan on going back and creating another piece-- it would make such a fun birthday party or get together with friends! 

One morning, we got to experience their Serenity Spa. A gorgeous area in the resort, this spa is a must while visiting. The massage that I had was amazing. They also have a gorgeous workout facility and they do hydrafacials. I had no idea what one was before this trip, but after they explained it, I want one!! 

After the spa, I headed out to the beach and met up with the other girls. We had a few cocktails and lunch on the beach. The water was plenty warm enough to swim and I even got a tan just from being out there for a few hours! It's really nice because they have a staff that sets up the beach chairs for you-- there's even an app and cabana boys that you can order from and have your food/drinks brought to your exact chair! 

The final night we headed to a cocktail party hosted at Tommy Bahama. Lots of drinks and yummy food to snack on before we went to the final night of the shows. 

I'm such a foodie--so this will come as no surprise, but I think the dinner at Seagars, a four diamond restaurant, was the highlight for me! The restaurant was gorgeous and we all dressed up for the occasion. The staff was attentive and the food was beyond incredible. We got to sample almost everything off of their fall menu and I don't even know where to begin. I had the beef tournedos and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had... and that's saying a lot because I am always ordering steak. I like my steak as rare as possible, and they could not have cooked mine better! For dessert, they put on a show and served bananas fosters. YUM. I also found my new favorite pinot noir, Belle Glos. The advanced sommelier, Myres McDougal, was top notch and paired each course with a perfect selection. As much as I am a foodie, I'm also very into trying new wines-- Seagars has over 600 varieties and houses over 3,500 bottles. Woah. It was such a lovely night and I highly recommend Seagars!

And last but most definitely not least, the Hilton Sandestin is extending an exclusive offer to readers of Summer Wind! This package includes 20% off the best available rate, complimentary breakfast for two daily (this breakfast is huge and delicious) and 20% off Serenity Spa Services. The package is available now through February 29th, with certain blackout dates applicable and subject to availability. A 2-night minimum is required. Call the hotel (850) 267-9500 to reserve and be sure to mention 'Rate Code FB'! A big thank you to the Hilton Sandestin for having me!