Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection

(In the best way) What you see, is what you get! Pictures online come to life when you arrive! Everything looked amazing, room size and style are breathtaking, views will leave you speechless. ... However, our biggest gripe was on microwave, iron and iron board in the room. For the price point of such an establishment, such amenities should be in the room. We should not have had to come down to the lobby to use a outdated microwave that took almost ten minutes to reheat leftovers. Nor should we have had to wait for iron and ironing board to be sent up. Latest, the grass near of the rooftop pool/lounge space should always be accessible to guest and not closed for special events as it too is general space. All in all, we enjoyed our stay.

The service at this hotel is amazing—every staff member provides excellent customer service and goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The hotel itself is beautiful and elegant, and the rooms are clean and comfortable. Valet parking is definitely a must and very convenient. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. Both bars—one by the pool and one in the lobby—don’t serve draft beer, and their hours are quite limited, opening at 11:00 AM and closing by 11:00 PM. The cocktails were disappointing, unfortunately. They tasted more like juice than actual cocktails, with barely any alcohol flavor. Also, all the cabanas and poolside beds require a reservation through an app called ResortPass, which costs around $100 per day. Even when the cabanas are empty at night, guests still aren’t allowed to use them without a reservation, which felt a bit restrictive. I also don’t recommend the on-site restaurant. It didn’t meet expectations and there are definitely better dining options elsewhere. One last recommendation: the DJ they have at the pool in the evening could really improve the vibe by playing more summer-style music—something like deep house would create a much better, laid-back atmosphere. Overall, it’s a beautiful hotel with top-notch service, but a few updates—especially with the bar, music, and poolside policies—could take the experience to the next level.

Hotel Effie is the perfect getaway, nestled in an ideal location with easy access to everything you need. The rooftop pool and bar truly come alive on the weekends, creating an electric atmosphere that makes every visit feel special. The hotel's bright and airy decor, combined with its impeccable cleanliness, sets the tone for a relaxing stay. ||||A delightful touch….cookies served nightly at 8 PM—an unexpected treat that makes you feel right at home! ||||But the real star of the show is Trish. Her vibrant smile and unmatched energy bring a warmth to Hotel Effie that makes all the difference. She genuinely cares about making your experience exceptional, and her passion shines through in every interaction. ||||The only drawback was the absence of an onsite concierge. While the front desk staff were friendly, they lacked local knowledge, making it tricky to get good recommendations. Adding a concierge would elevate the experience even more! ||||Overall, Hotel Effie is a fantastic choice for a memorable stay. Highly recommended!

I’m currently staying at Hotel Effie for a company conference, and I wanted to take a moment to recognize an employee who genuinely elevated my experience — I believe his name is Colbe.||Yesterday, I was on the elevator when he and a few other guests stepped on. He had a bellhop dolly with him and stood across from me, separated only by the cart, the other guests at the rear of the car. What struck me immediately was his energy — warm, welcoming, and absolutely infectious. He was engaging with the other guests in such a natural, friendly way that it was impossible not to feel uplifted by the interaction, even though I wasn’t the one he was speaking to.||His genuine smile and effortless ability to make others feel seen and appreciated reminded me how powerful real customer care can be. I walked off that elevator thinking, “This is someone I’d hire in a heartbeat.” His presence alone shifted the energy of the space — and that ripple effect carried into the rest of my day.||What’s even more impressive is that this wasn’t an isolated moment. I’ve experienced that same level of sincere, thoughtful customer service from many members of the Hotel Effie team. A food service staff member kindly double-checked whether nuts were in the dessert tarts, without being prompted. The front desk clerks I interacted with were warm and welcoming. Another bellhop — possibly a manager — went out of his way to be helpful and attentive. Even the bus driver who took us from the hotel to the beach was friendly and engaging, adding a personal touch to what could’ve been a routine shuttle ride.||The consistency of this high-level hospitality is rare — and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’ve even heard other great experiences with my fellow coworkers. It’s clear that the team at Hotel Effie doesn’t just provide a service — they create experiences. Thank you for making this conference stay feel so personal and elevated.

Rooms are nice. Comfortable, light and airy. Love the carpet just around the bed and the rest hardwood flooring. The staff were extremely pleasant, very helpful and great recommendations were given on food and activities. The location is perfect to outside restaurants, beaches and shopping. There is a lot to do within the resort area itself from complimentary bikes to ride, golf carts to rent and walkable to Baytowne Marina. Fun for all.

Very poor service by valet, bellhops and wait staff. Valet failed to issue resort pass for entrance, no receipt for auto. Bell service in AM had only one employee-after 45 minutes i asked how much longer and he did not know because a number of rooms were still ahead of us. So I wrestled 7 bags down to my car. Waited 10 minutes in restaurant after seated but no waiter. Had to go back to the front and ask for one. Manager offered 1000 points as compensation. I asked how many points needed for one night, manager had no idea, I had to explain it was 70,000 per night. So that offer was a joke. Sandestin has many other nice places to stay. The Effie is “iffy” for services. This is my first bad review for any Marriott property. I am a Titanium level customer-so I KNOW how other Marriott’s are staffed. They are good and well trained. Not the Effie!

This is by far one of THE nicest hotels I have ever stayed in. It is immaculate and the rooms are super nice. The rooftop bar and pool are amazing with spectacular views! The entire staff was cordial, welcoming and friendly. The valet and bellmen were some of the best and most helpful ever!!!! Make sure you ask for “Stanley Tucci’s brother” Gumby to handle your luggage. He went above and beyond assisting us as we checked out. If I could would give this hotel 10 stars!!!!!

We travel a lot. In all honesty, I cannot think of a recent experience better than we had at the Hotel Effie (and that includes our favorite hotel the Santa Maria Novella in Florence). Every single staff member we came in contact with, from the valet staff to the front desk staff, housekeeping staff (the housekeeping manager, Brenda was next to none), the staff at the wonderful restaurant and pool bar, the lady who baked cookies each night, everyone was terrific and so well trained in making our experience a great one. Thank you all so very much. You created an amazing experience we will not soon forget.