Why you need a nearcation to Destin, Florida

So, what’s a nearcation?

If you’ve thoroughly explored your own back yard then it may be time to venture out on a nearcation. A nearcation is just a vacation that’s a short drive from your home. Even though it’s a vacation that’s close to home, it accomplishes two of the things we all crave when to comes to our getaways. Nearcations give us something to look forward to, and they give us a change of scenery.

I recently hit the road from New Orleans and made the four hour drive to Destin, FL. It took us about 4 and a half hours because we made multiple stops along the way, mainly for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Matt’s beloved Circle K coffee! But even with our meandering route, we got to the property just in time for lunch and a tour.

the henderson Beach resort & spa arrival

The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa is owned by the Sheila Johnson backed Salamander Hospitality company, so the level of service is unlike anything I’d experienced in Destin. Even with COVID protocols in place the staff was warm, friendly, and laser focused on making sure guests had what they needed for an enjoyable stay. The rooms are spacious, well appointed (I wanted to take the nightstands home!), and the views of Henderson State Park, and the Gulf of Mexico were nothing short of breathtaking.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the valet who had a list of all the reservations. After he checked that we were registered guests we were able to have our luggage unloaded and brought to reception. There are two options for parking, valet or self-park. The self-park is in a secured lot at the entrance of the property and does require a bit of an uphill climb to get back to the hotel. At check in the front desk attendant was behind Plexiglass and there were six feet stickers on the floor, signage about the protocols, and hand sanitizer readily available. Because the hotel is taking extra precautions to clean rooms, our room wasn't ready yet so we decided to have lunch while we waited.

dining + amenities

The restaurant star of the property is Primose but it wasn’t open yet so opted for lunch at Horizons, and it was the best meal we had the entire trip. The bartender told us that they update the cocktail menu frequently and that the lead bartender is always experimenting with new spirits, recipes, and techniques. After lunch, a tour was crucial to getting my bearings because the property is quite expansive. There are two pools, one adults’ only and one family pool, a workout room complete with Peloton bikes, a kids club, a “living room”, an outdoor sunset vista, a coffee and ice cream shop, and a rooftop bar. To get to the beach you actually exit the property gates and use a secure entrance to access the hotel’s beachfront sister property, The Henderson Inn.

In the warmer months through the end of November, the beachfront amenities are open and you can order food from attendants and borrow paddle board and boogie boards rom the activities desk. Even in the winter, beach chairs and umbrellas are set up and we took advantage of the bike rentals that are included in the resort fee and biked ten miles on a beautiful beachfront path. The spa is also not to be missed, especially if you’re a lavender lover. The ladies sauna is scented with lavender essential oil and the mens is scented with eucalyptus oil. There’s also a Himalayan salt treatment room and a float therapy treatment room.

why you need a nearcation in destin

Overall, this nearcation was exactly what I needed at the end of what’s been a tumultuous year. I love going to the beach in the off season because there is no pressure to just lounge on the beach all day. This winter beach getaway was the perfect opportunity to spend some time in nature, enjoying delicious fresh Gulf seafood, and to realize that you don’t have to go far to getaway.

The Henderson is an easy trek for travelers coming from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama. Reach out when you’re ready to enjoy a nearcation in Destin, as a Virtuoso preferred partner I’m able to offer VIP perks of up to $500, all compliments of Perspectives Travel!