2 Best Hotels in The Emerald Coast, The Panhandle

Back-to-nature enthusiasts love these two-bedroom, tin-roofed duplexes—each named after a different species of tree and each sleeping up to six—set among the state park's sand pines and scrub oaks, a five-minute walk from the beach via a private boardwalk. Although the cabins are basic, they do have central heat and air-conditioning and full-size kitchens. Gas fireplaces, barbecue grills, and screen porches are homey touches.

At the crown jewel of the area's latest—and largest—planned resort community, nature meets seaside chic in dune-level bungalows that have private courtyards with outdoor showers and upper rooms that have huge balconies and walk-in showers with windows overlooking the Gulf so you can see the sea while you scrub. Standard rooms come with a king-size bed and a queen sleeper sofa, but consider one of the three rotunda rooms for something larger and more spectacular. Included in the room rate are parking, Wi-Fi, one hour of canoeing, one hour of tennis, and bicycle use.