The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach

The location was a plus, right on the Beach and close to things to do. The room had a great Gulf view and a comfortable bed, though I didn’t want to sleep under the covers. The restaurant was good too, with a friendly, helpful server and a good breakfast menu. The condition of the rest of the property was rough. It feels worn, dirty, and poorly maintained, with what seemed like little pride in the place. I’ve worked in hotels through the Marriott chain, and it’s hard to understand how an owner or management team lets a property get this run down. Even with a thin budget, expectations can be set and staff held accountable. There was duct tape holding elevator tile together, dirty or chipped walls throughout, smoke from cigarettes and weed in the halls and around the property, and nasty, sticky floors with grout that wasn’t clean. Cleanliness overall was horrible. Our room had damage around the door frame, curly hairs on the bathroom floor and in the shower, and more in the bed sheets. We slept on top of the bed with blankets from our truck. There was a party during our visit, and bar music was extremely loud on the guest floors. It stopped at 10 pm, which we appreciated, but it was still painful when we wanted a decent night’s sleep after a long drive. Parking was a serious challenge. There’s limited space at the hotel, and the alternative lot was inconvenient and didn’t feel safe in the garage area. There are likely better options close by with the same or better amenities at about the same price.

This trip was for my birthday, so it was disappointing that nothing looked like the advertisement. My husband booked a Gulf view, but when we arrived the room had been given away and we had to take a pool view. The pool is closed for construction. They offered us a room change the next day, but there’s no urgency or care, and now we’re stuck waiting because of their mistake. The resort itself is lackluster. The guests are nicer than the staff. Lesson learned.

The breakfast staff were lovely, very friendly, and the food was good. Front desk service was okay and they were helpful. When you book, check whether breakfast is included for everyone. The adults were covered, but the kids weren’t, so double check.

We spent New Year’s here and absolutely loved it. There’s a lot to enjoy, from breakfast to the beach bar, with plenty of pools, bars, and a hotel restaurant. Our room was spacious and nice, and the beds were comfortable. The only issue was hair in the shower and an unclean shower head. Aside from that, we really enjoyed the stay and will come back.