Destiny By the Sea Guardshack — Attraction in Destin

The check-in process at this location involves stopping at the guard shack, where the attendant verifies your reservation, gives a brief overview, and issues a parking pass. This takes just a few minutes and only needs to be done once. Afterward, they simply wave you through. There’s a small sign designating the right lane for owners and the left for guests, presumably to prevent delays for owners during busy times. However, on one return, we had a frustrating experience. A new guest was checking in, causing a delay. Noticing the right lane was empty, I moved over to show my parking pass, expecting to be waved through. Instead, the blond-haired guard with glasses spoke condescendingly, insisting the right lane was for owners only. I thought maybe he missed my parking pass so I explained I was already checked in, he repeatedly asked, "Are you an owner, no, then wrong line" then stormed off without assisting. As I started to back up, another guard walked over in a near rage and aggressively stood in front of my car and screamed at me to back up a return to the other line. I think this guys name was Dave but not 100% sure as the situation was so out of hand at this point I may have missed it.

It’s worth noting that this was the slow season, and the right lane was completely empty. While I’m not an owner, I was paying an owner over $12,000 for a five-day rental. I doubt owners would want their guests treated this way by overzealous...

Except for one weird guard that reminds me of Captain Stubing (and is always saluting), who has strange requirements that you stop and "acknowledge" him before entering (even if the gate is already open) the remaining guards are nice - and normal - and are helpful to renters. They enforce the (reasonable) pool and hot tub rules by camera, so make sure you're familiar...

Year after year we come to this community and the staff that man the gate are always friendly and very aware of what goes on. They do a great job of watching over the community and are always quick to lend a hand...