
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Best for families and groups who want lively on-site dining, kids’ activities, and direct private beach access.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach is a family-oriented beachfront hotel on Okaloosa Island with multiple pools, restaurants and event space; read this if you want an active, all-ages Gulf Coast resort with direct private beach access. St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells is a 3-star Destin beachfront condo within the Silver Shells complex; read this if you prefer condo-style accommodations with a kitchen and resort pools in Destin.
Updated

Best for families and groups who want lively on-site dining, kids’ activities, and direct private beach access.

Best for travelers who want a self-catered condo within a larger Destin resort complex and access to indoor/outdoor pools and fitness facilities.
When The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach wins: choose The Island Resort for an all-ages resort experience with daily entertainment, multiple on-site restaurants and bars (including a seasonal swim-up Grotto Bar), private beach frontage and large event/wedding facilities.
When St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells wins: pick St. Croix 206 if you want a condo with a kitchen inside a Destin beachfront complex, simple resort amenities (indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities) and free self parking on site.
Bottom line: The Island Resort is a full-service, family-focused beach resort with more on-site dining and programming; St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells is a quieter condo option inside a Destin resort complex suited to travelers who want in-unit cooking and basic resort pools rather than a larger on-site entertainment program.
| Category | The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach | St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Lively, family-focused resort with regular entertainment and multiple dining venues | Resort-condo within a larger beachfront complex, quieter and more self-catered |
| Location | Directly on Okaloosa Island private Gulf beach (600 ft of private sand) | Destin beachfront unit within Silver Shells complex (address: 15300 Emerald Coast Pkwy Unit 206) |
| Size | Approximately 333–335 rooms across four buildings and event space for large groups | Condo unit (room type: Condo, Multiple Beds (St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells)) |
| Ages / audience | All ages — family-friendly with kids' activities and family programming | All ages — not adults-only; condo-style stays suitable for families |
| Pools | Two outdoor pools including the Grotto Pool with seasonal swim-up bar, plus a hot tub | Indoor pool and outdoor pool (Silver Shells complex) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site options (Sea Oats Kitchen & Bar, Cabana Cantina & Tequileria, Beach Bar, Grotto Bar, food trucks) | Not published |
| Spa / wellness | No spa on property; fitness center included with stay | Fitness facilities available; spa: Not published |
| Known for | Grotto swim-up bar, private beach, family entertainment and on-site event space | Part of the Silver Shells beachfront resort complex and an in-unit kitchen |
| Parking | Self-parking available for a daily fee (select packages may include parking) | Free self parking onsite (limited spaces) and covered/uncovered options |
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in from 4:00 PM; check-out before 11:00 AM | Check-in begins 4:00 PM; check-out 10:00 AM |
The Island Resort sits directly on Okaloosa Island with 600 feet of private Gulf beach and easy walking access to local boardwalk and attractions.
Choose The Island Resort for immediate private beach access and walkable Okaloosa Island attractions.
St. Croix 206 is a condo within the Silver Shells resort complex in Destin, situated on the Destin beachfront.
Choose St. Croix 206 if you want to be based in Destin with condo-style lodging inside a beachfront complex.
The Island Resort offers a range of room types across four buildings to suit families and couples.
The Island Resort is a traditional hotel with many room options designed for families and groups.
St. Croix 206 is a single condo unit with a kitchen and multiple beds listed as 'Condo, Multiple Beds (St. Croix 206 at Silver Shells)'.
St. Croix 206 suits travelers who prefer in-unit cooking and the independence of condo living within a resort complex.
The Island Resort has multiple dedicated dining venues and bars on property for varied meals and casual bites.
If you want on-site restaurants and regular bar programming, The Island Resort provides more choices and scheduled entertainment.
St. Croix 206 is a condo with a kitchen; the Silver Shells complex provides basic resort amenities but specific on-site restaurants for this unit are not published in the supplier listing.
Expect self-catering convenience at St. Croix 206 and rely on nearby Destin dining for more options.
The Island Resort emphasizes pools and beach access as core amenities.
The Island Resort is stronger if pools, a swim-up bar and direct private beach use are priorities.
St. Croix 206 guests use the Silver Shells complex pools and facilities.
St. Croix 206 provides access to indoor/outdoor pools and fitness amenities within the Silver Shells resort setting.
The Island Resort combines fitness access with daily entertainment and late-afternoon happy hour options.
The Island Resort is a better pick for guests who want organized entertainment and a social bar scene.
St. Croix 206 lists fitness facilities and nearby Destin attractions but does not publish an entertainment program for the unit.
Choose St. Croix 206 for quieter condo stays with basic fitness amenities and to use Destin’s nightlife off-property.

The Island Resort — kids’ activities, daily entertainment, multiple pools and family-focused dining.

St. Croix 206 — in-unit kitchen and condo layout for preparing meals and more independent stays.

The Island Resort — several restaurants, bars, food trucks and a daily happy hour at Sea Oats Bar & Lounge.

St. Croix 206 — quieter footprint inside the Silver Shells complex, with indoor pool access and parking.
The Island Resort is set up for families with kids' activities, family dining and multiple pools; St. Croix 206 is a condo unit that can work for families who prefer self-catering but has fewer published family programs.
Yes — the supplier listing notes the condo includes a kitchen for in-unit meal preparation.
Yes — The Island Resort fronts Okaloosa Island's Gulf beach; St. Croix 206 is a beachfront condo within the Silver Shells complex in Destin.
The Island Resort does not offer a spa on property; the supplier listing for St. Croix 206 lists fitness facilities but does not publish a spa.
Explore how The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·