Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography submitted by the Henderson Park Inn and The Henderson Beach Resort.

Henderson Park Inn

The Henderson Park Inn is the perfect destination for a couple’s retreat in Destin, Florida. Voted the most romantic hotel in America by both the users of About.com and TripAdvisor.com, this luxury boutique hotel provides an idyllic beachside atmosphere for a honeymoon, anniversary, or any special vacation with your sweetheart. According to Conde Nast Johnansens on its website, the Inn overlooks more than a mile of the most pristine and secluded white sandy beaches and has the most gorgeous views in all of Destin. “This is definitely the most romantic luxury boutique hotel on the Emerald Coast,” said Jennifer Wilson, Marketing and Events for the Henderson Park Inn.

Henderson Park Inn is a 36-room New England style bed and breakfast. It is an adult only, luxury boutique hotel directly on the beach in Destin. Its long list of luxury amenities include complimentary breakfast, lunch, happy hour, bicycle and paddleboard rental, beach service and many more.

Picture your idea of the ultimate sanctuary. Does an intimate room with luxury amenities come to mind? How about a charming terrace overlooking the white-sand beach of the Emerald Coast or sipping a glass of wine as you cruise along the water at sunset? That is the kind of bliss you’ll experience with a stay at the Henderson Park Inn. And no one under 25 is allowed!

The Inn is best described as a modern luxury boutique hotel but a step back in time in romantic beach ambience. Each exquisitely decorated suite, which is distinctive from the other and features breathtaking gulf views from a large veranda overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, flat-screen TVs and luxurious bedding. No detail is overlooked. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted in your room with romantic music, a bottle of wine and two glasses, a vase of roses as well as grapes and gourmet chocolates. A picnic boxed lunch is offered as are beach chairs and umbrellas, bicycles and more. In the evening there is complimentary turn-down service with gourmet chocolates. Whirlpool tubs are in most rooms and a fireplace is in some rooms. Complimentary lemonade, cookies, soup, fruit and tea are offered daily.

The Inn’s guests now have access to a full suite of wonderful amenities next door at their sister property, The Henderson Beach Resort. Amenities include a full fitness facility, yoga classes and more. For a truly intimate experience, book a couples massage or enjoy any of their first-class spa services. After a morning of lounging on the beach, you may want to take a swim next door at one of The Henderson’s two beautiful swimming pools. Couples will love relaxing at the Adults Only Pool, which features a luxury cabana with poolside beverage service.

In the evening, if you’re looking for exceptional dining, The Henderson Park Inn’s onsite restaurant, Beach Walk Café, is pure indulgence in romantic waterfront dining on one of the most breathtaking settings on the Gulf Coast. Beach Walk Café, selected as one of the top 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States by OpenTable, offers dining experiences that allow guests to connect and kindle the flames of romance over fantastic fare. For the most romantic dinner on the gulf and possibly of your life, reserve Beach Walk Café’s “Toes in the Sand” dining experience. Enjoy a private table at the water’s edge under the stars with a dedicated server and watch the sun set into the gulf for a truly memorable evening!

Beach Wedding Packages

Henderson Park Inn is located on 300 feet of private beach. Their neighbor to the west—the Henderson Beach State Park, boasts an additional 1.3 miles of private unspoiled beach. The emerald waters and white sand beach are a magnificent atmosphere for your wedding. Add to that the sun setting into the Gulf and the backdrop becomes simply majestic.

Henderson Park Inn’s Deck has a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico with its crystal blue water and white sandy beach. This deck is the perfect spot for more intimate gatherings and will accommodate: Seated: 80 people; Mingling: 100 people. Use of this deck requires the client to “Buy-out” Henderson Park Inn for a minimum of three nights.

Beachside West Green

This event site has the most magnificent view of the Emerald Coast’s picturesque sunsets. The manicured green is bordered by the Henderson Beach Resort State Park, kisses the white sand shoreline and includes a small covered deck. The beautiful Beachside West Green will accommodate: Seated: 75 people; Mingling: 100 people.

Beachside East Green

This event lawn offers a view of the Emerald Coast as far as the eye can see and is undoubtedly the best reception location in Destin. This location will accommodate: Seated: 100 people; Mingling: 125 people.

Often a couple will choose the West Green or the inn’s private beach as the ceremony location and the East Green as the location for the dinner and reception. There is a green walkway that connects the two lawns and is ideal for mingling and enjoying passed appetizers and drinks while the happy couples are having photographs taken before dinner begins on the East Green.

I asked Jennifer Wilson of the Henderson Park Inn if there is a best time to visit Destin. She replied that “Summer is their high season; however, spring and fall are my personal favorite months due to perfect weather and mild temperatures.” She added that “the winter months of December, January and February area also beautiful and the best sunsets are this time of year!”

What to Know

Henderson Park Inn
2700 Scenic Highway 98E, Destin, FL 32541
(850) 585-9505
www.HendersonParkInn.com

Beach Walk Café
www.BeachWalkCafe.com

“Henderson Park Inn is a boutique luxury hotel and unique in that it’s the one adult-only property on the Emerald Coast. Located directly on the beach in Destin, Florida, the inclusive Henderson Park Inn offers breakfast through cocktails at sunset—and the service, like the view, always goes uninterrupted.”

— Jennifer Wilson, Marketing & Events at Henderson Park Inn

Henderson Beach Resort

The Henderson Beach Resort opened in November 2016 in Destin, Florida. Located on nearly two miles of white sand beach and emerald water, the 170-room resort is a standout luxury destination on one of America’s most enjoyed beaches. The resort is located adjacent to over 200 acres of protected nature preserve and is just minutes away from the popular harbor of Destin. The Henderson was designed to enhance the experience of the guests with local commissioned artist exhibits throughout the property, beautiful décor, a rooftop and terrace with a view of the gulf sunsets in mind, and event space for conferences or ballroom weddings. “The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa is coastal luxury at its finest,” stated Tovah Locke, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager of The Henderson Beach Resort.

Its most recent accolade is being named in 2017 by “Emerald Coast Magazine” as Best Resort in Destin.

The 170 guest rooms are spacious and there are eight suites and sixteen specially designed spa rooms that offer guests a private spa elevator. Beautiful coastal décor enhances the experience and stay of each guests. Each guest room has views of either the Gulf of Mexico, the serene nature preserve, the popular neighboring community of Crystal Beach neighborhood, or views of the garden or Grand Piazza.

Guests will soon have the luxury to choose to stay in one of the beautiful luxury vacation rentals at The Lofts. Guests may choose between one or two-bedroom condominiums that offer the luxury of a vacation resort with all of the amenities and conveniences of home. The Lofts are vacation rentals for large families, groups or guests looking for extra space and privacy.

Dining at the Henderson Beach Resort

The Henderson knows that a large part of travel and vacation experiences center around the dining experiences of guests. There are a variety of dining options at The Henderson Beach Resort: a coastal menu of local favorites at the Horizon Bar, where gusts may sit and relax with a local draft beer or signature cocktail, enjoy the popular fish tacos or local catch of the day. Primrose, the fine-dining restaurant, offers hand-crafted sushi at the sushi bar, indulgent menu offerings of local seafood, finest filets, and the most elegant dessert (the chef’s souffles are decadent) on the Emerald Coast. While enjoying the pools at the hotel, guests may order from Sea-level, the poolside restaurant and bar, a guest favorite. “Another guest favorite is ordering room service,” said Tovah. “With guest rooms as luxurious as ours, guests will want to enjoy breakfast in bed or at leisure, dining on their balcony, taking in the views of the pool or coastline.”

Executive Chef Brendan Davey has had a longtime love of food and cooking. Most recently Chef Davey held the position of Chef de Cuisine at Sea Island Resort’s fine dining restaurant—The Lodge.

Meetings & Conventions

The Henderson Beach Resort is the perfect location for meetings, conventions, seminars, events and retreats. We offer over 10,000 square feet of event space, a dedicated meeting wing, 5,221 square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom, private boardrooms, and over 20,000 square feet of outdoor space.

Nearby Shopping for Guests

Conveniently located near two popular shopping centers, The Destin Commons and Silver Sands Premium Outlets are just a short drive from the resort.

Salamander Spa

The Henderson Beach Resort offers a host of amenities for the enjoyment and convenience of its guests. Salamander Spa is a full-service hair and nail salon and luxury resort spa with 11 treatment rooms, a Lavender Lounge and Lavender steam room. Spa service includes signature massages and facials, body treatments such as lash extensions. Other amenities at our resort include concierge service and valet, a Fitness Center and rental of Yolo paddleboards and cruise bikes, plus beach chairs and umbrellas.

Weddings at the Henderson Beach Resort

The Henderson Beach Resort hosts weddings of all sizes in a variety of breathtaking locations. Weddings in the Crystal Ballroom are elegant, luxurious and creative. It is perfect for ceremonies and receptions and spacious enough for a gorgeous dance floor. Couples exchange vows on the white sandy beach with the backdrop of the emerald green water. Private intimate ceremonies on the grand lawn are beautiful and memorable for wedding guests.

The Henderson is perfectly positioned on the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and neighboring Henderson Beach State Park, which provides uninterrupted views of the Emerald Coast beach and serene horizons of beautiful nature preserves. “The Sunset Terrace or the Rooftop Vista are excellent locations to experience one of Destin’s famous sunsets. Our sunsets are unmatched and they are something a guest must simply experience firsthand,” said Tovah.

What To Know

The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort
200 Henderson Resort Way, Destin, FL 32541
(850) 424-4400 or (855) 741-2744
www.hendersonbeachresort.com

“Henderson Beach Resort is the perfect place for a storybook destination wedding. Our spectacular property offers a variety of location opportunities as unique as each love story. Brides may choose between exchanging vows in our grand Crystal Ballroom, our incredible Rooftop Vista, the Grand Lawn, or on the beach of the Emerald Coast.”

— Tovah Locke, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager