Stay in the Family Beach House You Forgot to Buy in the Florida Panhandle

D. Alexander - Florida Beach Collection
Florida Panhandle
Breezy and Beachy, $$$

Because the hospitality tug-of-war between hotels and private homes continues, travelers have more and more options when booking their stays. D. Alexander is a relative newcomer to the scene, offering private homes equipped with innovative tech and crowd-pleasing amenities in vacation-friendly destinations like Miramar Beach, Destin and Seacrest in the Florida Panhandle. Unlike Airbnb or VRBO, D. Alexander owns all the homes in their portfolio, ensuring consistency in the product offerings — with the tops among those perks being easy beach access and lovely Gulf of Mexico views. These are not over-the-top villas in far-flung extremes but rather family homes with backyard pools and BBQ grills and cornhole boards set up on the lawn.

Book It

Rates start at $6,500 for a week in a five-bedroom home, which includes taxes and cleaning fees. Longer stays of a month or more are available, as are many different plans and vacation add-ons.

At a Glance

The Vibe: Easy beach living with Gulf views.

Lay of the Land: The collection of nine homes are situated on the western end of the Panhandle along a 32-mile stretch from Destin to Seacrest. 

This Place Is Perfect For: Groups of 12-27 people who want the feel of staying in a small hotel with the privacy and independence a home affords.

Food + Drink: The homes come with fully equipped kitchens so you can whip up great meals to share together. Catering services can be arranged upon request.

The Homes

Style: The furnishings are neutral — big sectional sofas, white walls, wood floors. All homes have hot tubs; some have swimming pools, porches and balconies, and golf carts for getting around. Some of the website for the homes have 3D virtual tours for full house previews; all have lots of photos of the interiors and exteriors.

Amenities: All home have hospitality-grade Serta mattresses topped with Italian linens and Sheets & Giggles eucalyptus blankets, Smart TVs, washer/dryers, Polycade gaming systems, and Malin+Goetz bath products.

Casa de LA
Miramar Beach
A two-story home with 5 bedrooms for up to 15 guests is a six-minute walk to the beach.

Castle by the Sand
Destin
A three-story home and carriage house with two kitchens can accommodate up to 21 people in seven bedrooms. Five minutes to the beach.

Cottage to Nirvana
Seacrest
The two-story house sleeps twelve in five bedrooms. The beach is two minutes away.

Destiny to the Cay
Destin
A four bedroom house a 20-minute walk or four-minute drive to the beach for 13 guests. Pool, grill, and cornhole in the backyard.

Orchard House
Miramar Beach
A great one for groups with kids, who will stay up all night making forts in the room with two bunk beds. Three stories, five bedrooms, 18 guests.

Retreat Be the Way
Miramar Beach
A new three-story, five-bedroom home expressly built for vacationers in a community development stocked with a fishing pond, outdoor TVs, and an impressive pool.

Steps to the Gulf
Destin
A spacious three-story home that sleeps ten in four bedrooms just a few minutes from the beach.

Truth and Manor
Miramar Beach
A brand-new home a four-minute drive to the beach. Sleeps twelve in four bedrooms.

West Palm
Miramar Beach
Everyone in your vacation pod will have room at this one, which sleeps 20 in six bedrooms. The beach is 15 minutes away.

What to Do Nearby

Miramar Beach and Seacrest are part of South Walton, which we've covered before as Florida's Best-Kept Secret — or as secret as the area where they filmed The Truman Show can be. Check the Visit South Walton website for ideas about beaches and parks and cultural attractions.