I've been to Destin and Panama City Beach many times. Ask away.
Beautiful beaches,the sand is almost white.

polisan- I seem to have deleted your PM...
I have not stayed at the Condos you mentioned,there are literally hundreds all along the beach road (old 98)which runs for MILES. Yours is right on the Gulf of Mexico. Walk out onto the beach. Looking at their website it looks quite upscale (prices are anyway) there is one restaurant on the premises which is a Ruth's Chris - this is expensive. From looking at the map you are across from a SuperWalmart,which is within walking distance,but a BUSY road to cross,for everyday grocery purchases etc. You would need transportation to get to shopping malls. You just don't see people walking from place to place on the beach roads, there aren't many sidewalks so you're on the edge of traffic.. And it is HOT... There are many restaurants close,Ruby Tuesdays,Landry's, an Italian place comes to mind- very many to choose from anyway. Prices compare well with eating out in the UK. You are about 5 miles from Destin Harbor-nice area to wander around- take a Dolphin cruise while you're there. AJ's restaurant overlooking the harbor is great for seafood,if you sit outside beware of pelicans swooping down to steal your bread.. Fudpuckers restaurant is one of our favorites. It's pretty easy to drive the tourist area of Destin,it consists of basically one long straight road along the beach,what they call old 98(two lanes),and then set back from the beach the new 98- a four lane road with shopping,commerce and more condos and hotels.
We have stayed at Maravella (pet friendly) the Mainsail and Pelican Beach resort and also the Holiday Inn Sunspree resort.
The beaches are great,powdery white sand and turquoise sea. It seems most UK tourists head to the areas close to Disney- Cocoa Beach or over to Sarasota etc and aren't aware of this beautiful Emerald Coast.
All the usual water toys are available on the beach- jetskis,pedalos,snorkeling equipment etc.
There are lots of shopping malls and an outlet mall- I haven't been to it but my daughter loves to go there.

Hi Emdia 43,
Thanks for the information, Destin sounds a great place, must do a bit more research on the accommodation though.

Yes, the one you mentioned was quite pricey from what I could see.
There are a lot of gated communities,all have swimming pools,tennis courts,basketball courts etc.
Destin's a nice place,you can walk along the beach in the early morning and see dolphins basking and playing along the shoreline.
What time of year are you planning on visiting?

Hi Emdia 43,
My youngest son will be 21 next August, so we'll probably wait a couple of weeks then head over at the beginning of September. I think he fancies the theme parks first, so a week in Orlando, then up to Destin.

That sounds great but it will be pretty quiet at Destin once Labor Day is over (3rd September)- that is the official end of the summer season .... the good news is that the rates drop dramatically after that week. It will still be very hot,good beach weather although the dreaded H (hurricane) season is in full swing then, having said that- 2005 was a terrible year on the Gulf of Mexico (Katrina etc) and in 2006 there were none!