Market Street Inn 248- Beauty by the Bay

The feeling of a small village community, with guests treating one another like neighbors and taking pride in the outdoor space, made a big impression on me. I’ve taken 9 vacations here and have never seen dog poop left on the thick, soft grass. Free puppy poop bags are available, too. There’s lovely green space for dogs to play and potty. The Market Street Inn is on the luxurious Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort property, in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. It’s a private luxury condo resort with amenities for families or a romantic getaway, and options for almost any budget. Security includes officers and sheriff patrols, a guarded front entrance, individual codes to enter the building, and a private parking garage for guests. The pool and outdoor area are stunning, with barbecue grills by the pool and on the green space. Most condos have private balconies. Units on pool grounds level, which is actually the second floor, have private patios with a white picket fence and a gate for guest access. The beautiful grounds, amenities, and community feel are amazing.

There are plenty of chances to just enjoy the views if you don’t feel like doing activities. The resort is beautifully maintained, with a ten-plus atmosphere and lots of friendly faces. There’s so much to do and see within the resort, with activities suited to different ages. The beach and lots of shopping centers are also close enough to reach by car.

The location was great, and we really liked the pool and hot tub. Inside, though, the bed was small and uncomfortable, some dishes hadn’t been washed before we used them, and we ran low on towels and toilet paper during the week. We also noticed repair problems and ceiling areas that looked like mold.

The grounds at Sandestin Resort are immaculate, and it was pleasant to walk and bike around. The golf venues are well designed and maintained, with challenging play. The unit itself, 441, was more than adequate, though the sleeper sofa could use cleaning. The mix of bright white and warm white lighting may bother people who prefer warm light. The main problem was the roar from the adjacent convention center’s air conditioning, which went on 24/7. It made the pool and poolside balconies a total disappointment. I’m hearing impaired, so I can only imagine how loud it sounds to someone with normal hearing. There wasn’t even one umbrella in the pool area, so it wasn’t usable for anyone needing shade. Baytowne Wharf’s shops felt like standard tourist traps, and the restaurants we tried were expensive and unremarkable. We were consistently disappointed. Traffic on Hwy 98 was absolutely awful and affected our dinner and recreation choices, though the widening work should be finished within a year or two. We’ll look elsewhere for a vacation destination next time.