10 Best Hotels in South Bayou, Fort Walton Beach for 2026

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Where to stay in South Bayou

Find the best South Bayou areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about South Bayou

A coastal cityscape with a long pier extending into turquoise waters, surrounded by buildings and a clear sky.

Okaloosa Island

The perfect place for a romantic getaway or a family weekend retreat, this is an unforgettable shoreline delight.

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A pier extending into the ocean at sunset.

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

While visiting Downtown Fort Walton Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Rosa Sound and Indian Temple Mound Museum.

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A riverbank with sand, grass, and trees.

Seabreeze

If you're spending some time in Seabreeze, Emerald Coast Science Center and Santa Rosa Sound are top sights worth seeing.

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A basket of fried chicken wings with a glistening sauce.

Beal Parkway

While Beal Parkway might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Okaloosa Island Beach and Wild Willy's Adventure Zone.

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A wooden pier extending into calm water with a sunset in the background.

Elliot's Point

While visiting Elliot's Point, you might make a stop by sights like Choctawhatchee Bay and Santa Rosa Sound.

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Top South Bayou Hotel Reviews

Comfort Inn & Suites Destin near Henderson Beach

10/10 Excellent

"Nice lowkey spot. Quiet. Clean. Hardworking staff who keeps the property well maintained"

Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin

8/10 Good

"The property was located right on the beach with beautiful swimming pools between the property and the beach. It was decorated with beautiful palm trees and the balcony overlooked the pools and the beach. The room was tastefully decorated. The bed was very comfortable with a big screen tv at the foot of the bed. WiFi was available. The bathroom was clean and had plenty of towels and wash cloths. The service people were very nice and accommodating. Having the Manatee restraint on the property was convenient as well as the Wake Coffee cafe for breakfast. The price of the hotel was very reasonable. I will be staying there again."

Homewood Suites by Hilton Destin

10/10 Excellent

"Loved our stay. Pool was great and they had a few inflatables to float around on. Community areas were spacious. Great breakfast and helpful breakfast staff. My favorite small detail that I loved was the extra detachable shower head. Helped with all the sand after spending a day at the beach. My only complaint would be the fountain fixture in the hot tub. It needs fixed so you don't get sprayed in the face. Will definitely stay here again."

Sundrift Inn

10/10 Excellent

"My wife and I had a great experience staying at the Sundrift last week. It was our first time visiting the Destin / Fort Walton area of Florida, so we didn’t fully know what to expect, but the location of this hotel was perfect- right on the beach. It was a quieter beach than other hotels / resorts in the area, so we enjoyed the peace and quiet at this particular location. There also was a really good pizza place in between the hotel and beach, so that was convenient for a quick lunch on the beach or sitting by the hotel pool. Other than the location of the hotel, I’d say the other standout aspect of the Sundrift was the staff. Everyone we interacted with there was friendly and helpful. One of the staff members in particular (Anekia) was extremely helpful in accommodating us the first day we arrived, and in the following days of our stay as well. There’s also a very good Italian restaurant and bar on location at the hotel. The bar had a great happy hour, which we enjoyed on a couple of occasions, and the bartender (CJ) was friendly and attentive. As far as our room, it was very clean when we arrived, and the house keeping made sure our room was fully cleaned on a daily basis. It was also very quiet through the night. The only reason I’m giving the room 4 stars instead of 5 is that there was a bit of wear and tear, although certainly not significant. There also weren’t many wall hooks in the room and bathroom to hang towels, wet clothes from the beach, etc, although again,"

Frequently asked questions

What's it like in South Bayou?

Guests are sure to enjoy their time checking out all that Fort Walton Beach's South Bayou neighborhood has to offer.

How many hotels will I find in the South Bayou area?

Book one of Expedia's 6 hotels and other accommodations in South Bayou and start exploring everything Fort Walton Beach has to offer.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in South Bayou, will I receive a refund?

Yes, most hotel bookings are fully refundable provided that you cancel before the hotel's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. If your reservation is non-refundable, it may still be possible to cancel it and be given a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Plug in your dates, click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view the best options available in South Bayou.

What are the top things to see and do in South Bayou?

A few places to visit in the area around South Bayou include Preston Hood Athletic Complex, Towncrest Shopping Center, and Beltway Shopping Center. When you're sightseeing in Fort Walton Beach, Emerald Coast Science Center and Goofy Golf are also worth a stop.

Hotels in South Bayou, Fort Walton Beach

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Our top choices for South Bayou hotels

1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Walton Beach

2. TRU by Hilton Fort Walton Beach, FL

3. Sleep Inn & Suites Fort Walton Beach - Destin West

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Walton Beach-Eglin AFB

5. Beal House Fort Walton Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

6. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Walton Beach Hurlburt Area

7. Sundrift Inn

8. Wavecrest Lodge

9. WoodSpring Suites Fort Walton Beach - Eglin AFB

10. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Walton Beach Eglin Area by IHG

11. Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin

12. Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Walton Beach Eglin AirForce Base

13. Hampton Inn & Suites Mary Esther-Fort Walton Beach

14. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Walton Beach-Eglin AFB

15. Hampton Inn Ft. Walton Beach

16. Seabreeze Inn

17. Candlewood Suites Ft Walton Bch - Hurlburt Area by IHG

18. Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach

19. Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Walton Beach

20. Holiday Inn Express Fort Walton Beach Central by IHG

Where to stay in South Bayou

Okaloosa Island

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Seabreeze

Beal Parkway

Elliot's Point

Top South Bayou Hotel Reviews

Comfort Inn & Suites Destin near Henderson Beach

Frequently asked questions