by Chantal Perreault

Inside my room, I was greeted with sunny, warm tones of blues and yellows while sepia-toned artwork graced the walls, creating a sense of tranquility. The one-bedroom condo was fresh and airy, and had all the necessary amenities from a washer and dryer to wine glasses and a corkscrew. Directly off the kitchen was a spacious dining and living area with television and DVD player. A glass door opened up to a large wraparound balcony and patio set overlooking the gardens, and was perfect for enjoying a cup of complimentary Italian coffee. The bathroom featured double sinks, a deep soaker tub, fluffy white towels and specialty items such as lavender body soap and almond moisturizing lotion.

The clean design continued into the bedroom with a comfortable king-size bed and additional television for cozy, late-night viewing. I found my bed turned down each night with a bar of chocolate welcoming me to The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Steps from The Grand Sandestin is The Village of Baytowne Wharf, located directly on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Reminiscent of an old world fishing village with a New Orleans flavor, Baytowne Wharf sits as though it naturally evolved around a fishing port. The Village offers eclectic dining and shopping, and an animated nightlife.

While in the Village, enjoy a loose leaf tea in the traditional Magnolia and Ivy Tea Room or browse Bark Avenue, a boutique that caters to the spoiled pet population with bejeweled collars, costumes and gourmet treats for Fifi.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Photo: © Sandestin.

Other carefully chosen boutiques in the Village include everything from upscale ladies wear and jewelry to fine wines and home decor. And if that's not enough, take a shuttle to The Market Shops at Sandestin or the local Silver Sands Outlet. The Market Shops present nearly thirty stores to discover that perfect souvenir while the Silver Sands outlet offers more than a hundred designer stores from Jones New York and DKNY to Waterford Wedgwood and Zales. For the serious shopper, it doesn't get better than this.

After an exhausting day shopping, what better way to relax than with a visit to the full service Sandestin Salon and Day Spa. The spa itself was clean and spacious, and offered a mix of beauty and bath products. Though not yet updated to match the sophistication of the rest of the resort, plans are slated for completion of a stand alone European-style spa facility in 2005.

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