Most people tend to readily associate Florida with any one of its largest cities, be it the countless theme parks offered in Orlando or the bustling night life of Miami. While millions of travelers across the U.S. might flock to Florida’s Atlantic coast, plenty of surprises await along the comparatively less crowded beaches of the Emerald Coast.
The go-to vacation spot for travelers exclusively “in the know,” the Emerald Coast encompasses some 100 miles of beachfront property overlooking the Gulf Coast. Dotted with numerous hotels, restaurants, and other accessible entertainment venues, it remains one of the most underrated destinations to venture to in the U.S., with Fort Walton Beach in particular standing as a worthwhile point of interest.
Bask in the Laidback Atmosphere of Island Resort
Over the past few decades, Fort Walton Beach itself has stood as the favored vacation spot for travelers throughout the Southern and Midwestern U.S. In more recent years, however, word has gotten out about the pristine white sand beaches of the area, along with certain long-standing hotels like The Island Resort.
Opening in 1966 as a Ramada Inn, The Island has since grown into one of the most popular resort hotels in the area, even when compared to the various properties spanning the larger coast. With agreeable reservation costs and no shortage of convenient amenities, The Island is the perfect hotel to stay within when it comes to the Emerald Coast, affording first-rate access to everything Fort Walton has to offer and more!
As a native New Jerseyan, the hotel instantly reminded me of the retro ‘50s architecture of certain Wildwood hotels, a characteristic worthy of attention in its own right. Along with its throwback atmosphere, the hotel specializes in all the essential features you’d expect to find at a Florida resort: delicious Southern food, strong poolside drinks, and enough photo opportunities to fill an entire scrapbook.
Anchored in the center of the property is also the largest swim-up bar I’ve yet to find in my travels, complete with gushing waterfalls and a literal mermaid who pops up periodically for meet-and-greets and visitor photos.
Discover the Nearby Amenities of Fort Walton Beach
Like all the best hotels, The Island has everything you might need in terms of entertainment options. However, it’s also worth highlighting certain nearby areas that are capable of elevating your Florida vacation into something far more memorable.
Of course, the biggest convenience behind staying at The Island has to do with its easy access to the beach itself. A scenic stretch of soft sand with a photogenic pier in the distance, it’s among the least crowded yet still widely loved beaches in the entire state. If that weren’t exciting enough, there’s also the nearby Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park right next to The Island.
An iconic marine park known for its dolphin and sea lion shows, the Gulfarium also has the distinction of housing the Guinness Record-holding oldest manatee in the world: the 71-year-old Romeo. In addition to that, right next door is the fan-favorite seafood restaurant The Crab Trap, which serves a mix of traditional Southern and seafood dishes like fish gumbo, blackened red fish, and Cajun chicken pasta.
In all, The Island Resort at Fort Walt Beach makes for the laidback Florida vacation most travelers never knew they needed. Avoiding the heavy crowds and high prices of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, it’s the ideal place to sit back, relax, and unwind in the summer sun of the Sunshine State, making it an under-the-radar vacation spot worth returning to again and again.
