Comfort Inn Miramar Beach-Destin

Getting around was easy, with the outlet mall and beach access both nearby. The front desk staff were pleasant, and I appreciated finding a handwritten note and bottled water waiting for me there. The room was decent, apart from one issue I’ll leave for another day. The stay was good overall, though the elevator was out, dirty laundry blocked a guest walkway, and the staff serving hot food couldn’t keep up with demand. It felt like they were understaffed, and I hope they get the help they need to take better care of the place.

I won’t be back, even though the event I attended was only three minutes away. The room looked neglected, with wall repairs left unpainted and cracks in both the tub and the edge of the toilet. The desk also assigned my room to someone else, who unexpectedly came in while I was there. On a different occasion, room service entered while I was asleep despite my Do Not Disturb sign. Fortunately, I’d latched the door bolt. I also couldn’t get into my room at one point.

I left after about 20 minutes and spent the three-night stay elsewhere, at a Hilton on Scenic. The manager made no effort to refund me. My room smelled moldy, the lighting was poor, and I found hair in the bed and beside the mini fridge. The stairs to the second floor were dirty, with food, crumbs, hair, sand, and dirt on every step. There was no elevator, internet, or working phone to call the front desk, and the lobby floor was filthy. I’d stayed here two years earlier and found it clean and very basic but good value, even though the elevator broke during that visit. This time, Yash at the front desk could have mentioned the elevator problem before taking my credit card. I didn’t try the breakfast or speak with those staff.

After a seven-hour drive, we ended up leaving and paying for another hotel because the room was smoky, exposed, and there was no fix available. I’d booked a non-smoking room, but cigarette odor filled it, and both privacy shades were broken and on the floor. The clerk said no other rooms were available and maintenance had left for the night. She apologized, said they hadn’t realized the booking was for non-smoking, and tried to put up the blinds, but couldn’t get them to work. In the picture, one clerk is trying to install a shade and failing. The first one she put up fell down seconds later while she worked on the other. The lobby smelled strongly of cigarettes as soon as I walked in. Before I’d even seen the room, the front desk clerk offered to waive my deposit if I left a five-star review. I also wasn’t asked for ID at check-in. She only asked whether I was the person named on the booking, and handed over the keys when I said yes. That felt like a serious guest safety problem. Before we left, I was told to call the next day to arrange a refund with manager Terra. When I did, Terra was dismissive and rude, said no refund would be given regardless of the problems, and said there was no one above her and no corporate contact. The whole experience felt dishonest and unaccountable, from the review offer to the lack of basic safety checks and customer service. It was the worst hotel stay I’ve had. Avoid the property, and be wary of general manager Terra Langston, whose attitude toward guests was appalling.