I let my boys create the title, they are 6 and 10 at the time of this review. First trip to Destin, first experience as a family of four doing a major vacation with just us, first experience with VRBO, and first experience in a condo...and it was EPIC!!!! Of course, I read a ton of reviews online and consulted with friends that had already traveled to Destin to find a good spot to stay. I ended up at Destin West. Then came the time to make a big decision - ocean front or bayside condos...oh the joys! Of course, as a mom I wanted to wake up and see the ocean - but something kept telling me that my boys would LOVE the 700 foot lazy river on the bayside and my husband would love the fishing from the pier. I told myself that this trip was one to learn from, not be "perfect" at and so I decided to go with the bayside resort and see how I felt not having the ocean view when I woke up. The next decision I faced was finding a condo that worked for our family. We wanted to be on the ground level so that there was easy in/out access to the pools...our boys are old enough now that we knew we would be comfortable with them jumping in the lazy river while we enjoyed a drink on the deck that overlooked the lazy river and make trips (easily) back and forth to the room for a drink or snack rather than having to pack up everything and commit to being in a pre-plotted pool spot all day. It was DEVINE!!! This condo was the perfect location for us. We enjoyed a close-by heated pool that never got too busy, a lazy river right outside of our gate, and an easy walk out to the pier (which turned out to be such a cool fishing adventure each day). We had no idea that there was a jet ski rental place next to the pier - it's much cheaper than trying to rent one at the Harbor and I think safer b/c it's not the ocean jet ski rentals. We had an absolute BLAST playing with jet ski's for an hour in the bay and never felt like we were restricted. Then the walks over to the other resorts you have access to is sooooooo easy and so nice! Honestly, I loved that time we walked back to our resort the sand was knocked off! We enjoyed going to the beach and then hopping in the pool at the DestinWest Ocean Front resort (which you have access to) before heading back to our condo. Also, we made a day to get wrist bands from The Island resort, which you also have access to as a Destin West guest and they have a nice pool grill (which is not present at DestinWest properties) and rock pool!