Extended Stay America Select Suites - Destin - US 98 - Emerald Coast Pkwy.

The one thing that would make me hesitate is the TV, which needs an update to include NBC. The room was clean, but if the renovation was recent, the work wasn’t especially good. Nothing disastrous, just not quality workmanship. Still, the staff were very friendly and helpful, the location is excellent, and I’d stay again. A dog daycare and boarding place is right next door, and I used it for an afternoon. There’s also a self-service car wash beside the hotel, Urgent Care within walking distance, and beaches a few miles away. Grocery stores and plenty of restaurants are nearby, as are walking areas in the gated community next door. I’d rate the place a solid A-.

We didn’t end up staying, since we found a better hotel. The rooms were so awful they’d make a Motel 6 look like a Hilton. There was a really strong mold and mildew smell. In most rooms, the cabinets were only shells; the ones with drawers and doors were rotting apart. The furniture looked like it might have been there since the place opened in the 1960s. In 45 years of staying in motels, this was probably the worst. Good luck avoiding a disease if you stay there.

The location worked well for us. It’s just off the main hotel strip but still close by, with a gas station and fast food within walking distance. The room is basically a bed and shower, so you get what you pay for. Our floors felt nasty from the moment we arrived and stayed sandy, and the rooms are only cleaned once a week. We had to keep asking for towels when needed. The toilet didn’t want to flush, and the front desk is closed from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. When we called after 10 to ask about a handyman, it seemed to be an issue. We also ran out of toilet paper, and there was nobody at the desk during those hours to give us more.

The location is convenient for the bridge, but the property itself was disappointing and unclean. The add-on charges felt expensive, and the limited desk hours made it hard to get help. When I explained that the amenities listed online weren’t there, management did very little to help with the booking platform, and I got no resolution. The advertising feels misleading, and they don’t stand behind what they promise. The room looked neglected, with run-down cabinets and a rusty cooktop. Even though it was advertised as an extended stay with a stocked kitchen, there were no pans, cups, utensils, coffee, or basic cleaning supplies. There was no soap, shampoo, or conditioner in the bathroom, which is shocking at these rates. Changing linens also costs extra. Extended Stay America says stocked kitchens are standard, but this property treats them like an optional upgrade. I found that deceptive and unacceptable. Save yourself the headache and avoid it. Destin has better options that deliver what they promise.