Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of Hotel Effie Sandestin.

Nestled among the meandering streets, mature landscape and abundant coastal wildlife, the popular community of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers a new hospitality experience in 2021—Hotel Effie Sandestin. For the past 45+ years, the welcoming resort community of Sandestin has remained the ultimate destination for generations of coastal adventurers, multi-generational family travelers, couples, reunions, seasonal guests, quick getaways and successful meetings and events. This special community offers something for everyone, including bayside activities, emerald green water, sugar-white sandy beaches, golf courses, plentiful sunshine and nights to remember during special events. This resort community offers every amenity imaginable and boasts an abundance of family activities, inspired culinary including local-catch seafood and nightlife venues for those who shine bright in the night. It goes without saying that guests and residents don’t have to leave the 24,000 acres to have an incredible, adventurous and activity-packed day.

This is life in Sandestin, where golf carts and bikes are the preferred method of transportation in a one-of-a-kind place imagined for guests and locals to create storybooks of memories to share with future generations.

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort exemplifies a place where tradition and history come together. All who visit Sandestin feel comfortable and at home. This feeling of hospitality also transcends through the architecture, reflecting the vision to create a quaint vacation village. Endless walking and bike paths connect neighbors where golf courses, tennis courts, bayside marina and the beach create connections in the shared enjoyment of outdoor activities. If you are not in the water, you are on the water, bringing home bragging rights or tall tales of the one that got away. The Village of Baytowne Wharf creates a waterfront destination featuring an abundance of coveted boutiques, charming eateries and lively nightlife venues, set among an events plaza with a backdrop of the lagoon and Horseshoe Bayou.

A Tradition of Hospitality

A new chapter begins with the opening of Hotel Effie Sandestin. Named after Thomas Becnel’s grandmother, Hotel Effie Sandestin exemplifies all the charm and personality of its namesake. Best described as the ultimate hostess, Hotel Effie creates a personalized experience that surrounds each guest in a welcoming environment and authentic style of service that defines genuine southern hospitality.
Located adjacent to the Baytowne Conference Center and nestled in the heart of the world-famous Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Hotel Effie Sandestin is a thoughtfully designed 250-room hotel featuring a full-service spa, 20,000 square feet of meeting space and signature restaurant by acclaimed two-time James Beard-award-winning chef Hugh Acheson. The hotel is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection.

Gorgeously appointed, Hotel Effie is a place where guests crave to spend time surrounded in an environment designed to enliven all the senses. Luxury textiles, natural wood grains, quartzite and sparkling minerals are all bathed in natural light, creating a vibrancy to the hotel that makes guests feel a part of something special. The lighting fixtures are reminiscent of the quartz crystal that makes up the near white sand beaches. Guests may gather for small bites and beverages in the hotel’s lobby lounge surrounded by a space that feels lively and contemporary. Hotel Effie’s grand staircase provides a striking entrance to the second-floor function space creating the ultimate sense of arrival for guests and groups. Effie’s portrait is found in the main lobby for Instagramable moments, artfully displayed along with her signature rocking chair.

Commissioned art pieces inspired by Effie’s coastal location and by nature grace the walls of the hotel.

“Like its namesake, Hotel Effie exudes southern hospitality. The goal of the design was to create a hotel that is elegant and approachable. Spaces flow from one to another and while cohesive, each has its own character and opportunity for experiences and connection.”

— Sarah Becnel, Vice President of Development, General Manager of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

A Culture of Service

Thoughtful guest interaction, personalized service and acute attention to detail are at the core of Hotel Effie’s service standards. From check-in to concierge service, the hotel’s staff has a singular objective to make guests feel welcomed, valued and part of the Hotel Effie experience.

Guest Rooms & Suites

Guests stay in style in any of the 250 thoughtfully appointed guest rooms including the Executive Suites and a spacious Presidential Suite. Drawing inspiration from its surroundings, each guest room is creatively designed to feel coastal contemporary that includes modern luxury at the forefront. Residential touches fill each guest room as well as natural light streaming in from each of the vast windows.

Ultra-chic bedding, overstuffed pillows, cozy throw blankets and refined furnishings add to the guests’ comfort where soothing coastal color palettes and luxurious fabrics create a cohesive guest room experience. Blissful amenities in each of the spacious bathrooms means the guests will luxuriate with LATHER soaps, shampoos and lotions while enjoying their stay wrapped in a cozy robe and slippers.
A variety of guest room accommodations includes 1 king or 2 queen beds, spacious bathrooms, and many rooms feature balconies with a view. Extended king rooms and suites and executive suites feature a king bed or a queen-queen suite, ideal for work travel and families.

Meeting & Event Space

Hotel Effie’s state-of-the-art event space is stunning! Attention to detail and boutique-like design make the vast spaces feel as if the tide is ebbing and flowing underneath, while expansive bright interiors make the tall ceilings light and airy. With over 20,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and event space at the hotel, including a spectacular 13,000-square-foot Juniper Ballroom, the space is contiguous to the existing 30,000 square feet of function space located at the Baytowne Conference Center. Together, the 50,000 square feet of space enables Hotel Effie Sandestin to accommodate groups upwards of 1,200 participants. The proximity to The ViIlage of Baytowne Wharf means guests may easily walk to local dining options and boutique retail shops.

Dining at Ovide

Hotel Effie Sandestin has partnered with celebrity chef Hugh Acheson to develop the culinary offerings of Hotel Effie. Chef Acheson, a Georgia chef and owner of eateries including Five & Ten, Empire State South and The National, is a James Beard award winner who won Iron Chef Canada, competed on “Top Chef Masters,” and served as a judge on “Top Chef.” Chef Acheson and his team bring amazing skills to the table and bar top that heighten the travel experience for hotel guests.

The hotel’s restaurant, Ovide, affectionately named after Effie’s husband, accommodates 133 guests (103 inside/30 patio), preparing food based on the local flavors of the Gulf Coast presented with French cooking techniques.

The interior spaces of Ovide are a designer’s dream featuring a dramatic large overhead flowery art piece that brings together traditional florals with a modern application. The spacious social bar area and creative cocktail menu inspired by the talents of famed cocktail queen Kellie Thorn and Sommelier Steve Grubbs means fun for guests of Ovide and Effie, going down smoothly…southern style.

Sweetbay Cafe

Sweetbay Cafe, curated by chef Hugh Acheson, brews an array of freshly roasted coffees and offers a variety of tea blends. From piping hot espresso to frothy cappuccino and imaginative craft coffee creations, this ultimate morning stop is a popular start to any day. This enclave off the lobby area also offers guests gathering tables and a place to caffeinate and hydrate while offering a variety of menu items, charming retail merchandise and a casual spot to enjoy drinks and snacks.

For guests who prefer the ease of in-room dining, the menu from Chef Acheson provides the best of comforting dishes and a variety of a la carte options. From small starters to fresh salads, delectable entrees, options for children and bingeworthy desserts, in-room dining offers all of the chef’s creativity with all of the convenience.

Feel Sky High with Ara

Guests and locals alike delight in the rooftop pool scene at Hotel Effie’s Ara Rooftop Pool + Lounge. Northwest Florida’s only hotel rooftop pool, Ara offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience where they enjoy a variety of high-end wines, spirits, creative hand-crafted cocktails and a thoughtfully curated food menu.
The open-air event environment provides an ideal location for a poolside DJ to profile chill music by day and up-tempo beats by night. Cabanas create privacy and provide extra luxuries for guests, while poolside loungers offer comfort for everyone. Interactive game space allows for competitive fun and TVs feature all the games! With panoramic views overlooking Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, The Village of Baytowne wharf and Choctawhatchee Bay, Ara creates a coveted venue all its own.

The Lobby Bar

Ready to refresh arriving travelers and an ideal gathering place for hotel guests, The Lobby Bar mixes creative craft cocktails and features a small plates menu perfect for sharing. The creativity of chef Hugh Acheson and his signature of flavor forward bites create a not-to-be-missed mini dining destination. In perfect complement, the bar’s mixologists take inspiration from classic cocktails while putting their own spin on tried and true favorites.

Luxury at Spa Lilliana

Like all great ladies in our brand family, Spa Lillliana at Hotel Effie exemplifies beauty and grace, together with an easy elegance that transcends time. In the true spirit of southern hospitality, Spa Lilliana provides visitors wellbeing and self-care services surrounded by the ultimate serenity.

For those seeking the ultimate luxury treatments, Spa Lilliana treats spa goers with a variety of spa services designed to rejuvenate, restore and relax. Spa Lilliana features ten treatment rooms, one couples room, four flexible rooms that can be combined to make two additional couples’ rooms and a coed relaxation lounge with private men’s and women’s relaxation lounges inside the locker rooms.

The spa is the perfect getaway experience for bachelor/bachelorette parties, mother-daughter duos or a pampered spa day away with friends. Well planned coed spaces mean guests and couples may mingle before their treatment and enjoy time together as part of an entire luxury spa experience. The salon offers bridal services, makeup and styling, blow outs and up-dos, and manicures and pedicures.

Fitness Center

A fitness center is ready to meet guests’ workout goals. Peloton Bikes and treadmills keep guests moving while Life Fitness machines are ideal for circuit training. There are machines for any level of fitness. For those who practice yoga or are willing to give it a try, a HIIT group Classe meets every Thursday from 7:30am-8:15am and Sunrise Yoga is held every Saturday from 6am-7am.

Weddings

Hotel Effie provides the perfect blend of elegant style and southern charm with unique venues with the most romantic backdrop imaginable. The hotel’s special events team will suggest spaces that work for each couple booking a ceremony at Hotel Effie. To request more information call 855-660-0934 or email
ourwedding@hoteleffie.com

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Amenities

Guests of Hotel Effie Sandestin have access to the many amenities offered by Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, named the #1 resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Some of the amenities include four championship golf courses, fifteen world-class tennis courts (both clay and hard court), miles of multi-use trails for jogging, walking and biking; a 123-slip marina, and access to The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village with events, shopping and eclectic nightlife all within walking distance of the hotel.