Winter is just around the corner, which means nippier weather and breaking out the big jackets. As someone who is eternally delighted by the browning of the leaves and the arrival of the holiday season (I already have Christmas music in my head, I will admit), I cannot complain. But not everyone feels the same. In fact, many around me are already mourning the end of summer as though it won't ever be back. And to those I say; if you want to recapture that summer magic, why not go somewhere it still exists?
© Henderson Beach Resort & SpaArriving at the Henderson Beach Resort & Spa
This year, I decided to go beyond my comfort zone with a trip down from New York to Destin, Florida, to stay at the Henderson Beach Resort & Spa. Usually, I am not a beachgoer; in fact I sometimes have to be dragged there. But I do like to relax and taking some time out to simply rest and exhale by the waves turned out to be just what I needed. I left rejuvenated.
© Henderson Beach Resort & SpaThe Henderson property itself, located just over half an hour away from the Destin airport (for context, that's the town Taylor Swift shouts out in 'Florida!'), is a sprawling, beachy haven dotted with palm trees, little cabanas, guests with tans and a general, pervading sense of calm.
The room — and the view
The Henderson rooms come decorated in shades of light blue, creams, whites, and browns, with slat doors, ornate wooden headboards, and, of course, a balcony with a gorgeous view of the emerald sea stretching far beyond.
Although we'd been encouraged to enjoy breakfast in one of the signature restaurants, I couldn't resist staying up in my room to have my green juice on the balcony every morning.
Eating, drinking and being merry
Speaking of food, oh boy! Our trip began with an initiation to one of the resort's newest events, 'Flutes & Frites' in the lobby, a mix of french fries with a variety of dipping sauces with champagne flutes and sunglasses to match. And that was just the (very tasty, very boozy) start...
Throughout our stay, we were treated to a coastal Italian blend of land and sea at the Primrose restaurant, a beachfront supper at the Henderson Park Inn's Beach Walk Café with various 'catch of the day' dishes, sushi platters with a view at their rooftop bar (appropriately named The Rooftop), and a gorgeous four-course meal on the sunset terrace to close our trip.
My personal highlight was the introductory 'Flutes & Frites,' a combination of ham sandwiches by the water on Henderson's private guest-only beach followed by a nap, a cart of creatively constructed Micheladas by the adults-only pool with casual salads, and our morning cocktail-making class with Head Mixologist Kenichi Saito, all of which can be separately booked for groups. I learned how to make my first lemon drop martini that morning, but I fear I never will again. All capped off with marshmallows by the fire on our last night.
The Henderson spa
Of course, I'd be remiss to not shout about their beautiful spa. This is where the luxurious aspect of the stay clicked into high gear. I enjoyed the Himalayan Salt Suite, the lavender room for (once again) a nap and a glass of bubbly, saunas and a signature facial. You can choose from a variety of standard and tailor-made treatments; mine was specifically geared towards my combination skin.
© Henderson Beach Resort & SpaWhy I have been converted
Overall, I found myself more enchanted by the experiences than the amenities: the white sands by the emerald beach made private just for me, roasting marshmallows (to a crisp) to the tune of rolling waves, getting to know guests in the lobby to the clink of champagne flutes with truffle fries, and just soaking up the sun by the pool; these were the highlights I'll take with me. My stay was an elevated version of a beach vacation and at the end of the day, it was the reset I really needed.
If you're looking for a recharge before heading into the rush of the holiday season (as a now-converted beach lover) I'd recommend giving Destin a shot, and making the Henderson a part of the package, too.
How to book it
Henderson Beach Resort & Spa has double rooms from $432 (£320) a night including breakfast.
Ahad was a guest of the Henderson Beach Resort & Spa. All hotels and experiences have been independently reviewed by our expert writers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis, but this never affects our review process.
