The Island, by Hotel RL

First opened in 1966, the property (formerly the Ramada Plaza Fort Walton Beach Resort/Destin) changed hands in early 2018 to become part of the Red Lion hotel franchise. The new management immediately laid out a plan to give new life to the rundown hotel, with plans to update not only common spaces and rooms but the grounds and pools as well. As of spring 2019, the lobby, the pools, the restaurant, and a handful of rooms had been renovated, but construction is expected to continue until at least the end of 2019. The property makes a good first impression. The lobby feels fresh and contemporary, with dark gray wood-like floors and a beachy design that combines wicker and wooden furniture with surfboards on walls, black-and-white photos, and white upside-down umbrellas covering the ceiling. The grounds are also appealing, with redesigned pools, spacious decks offering lots of seating, and manicured grass areas dotted by palm trees. The hotel has the potential to become one of the more attractive options in this part of the beach, but until renovations are completed, guests who are assigned a non-renovated room may find it overpriced, as rates are some of the highest in the area.  

The Island, by Hotel RL is located in a beachfront area lined with other mid-range hotels in central Okaloosa Island. The property offers direct access to a lovely stretch of fine, white sand where guests can rent loungers and umbrellas, and it is just a short walk or drive from most of the area’s top attractions. The Emerald Coast Convention Center is located right across the street from the hotel (though there is no real sidewalk here and it might be better to drive), as is Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone. Okaloosa Fishing Pier, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, and Indian Temple Mound and Museum can all be reached in less than five minutes by car. The hotel also offers easy access to golf courses, water sports, and day cruises. Destin is a 10-minute drive away, while the trip to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport takes about 20 minutes. 

Only a handful of the hotel’s 335 rooms have been renovated as of spring 2019, which means the experience varies widely depending on the room assigned at check-in. Decor is similar in all -- classic wooden furniture, red bed skirts paired with blue bed runners, and pale-yellow walls -- but the difference between new and original units is huge in terms of maintenance and overall feel. While renovated rooms have new flooring and quality pillow-top mattresses and look fresh, non-renovated units feel rundown, with reports of loose power sockets, scratched wooden surfaces, broken phones, and stained carpets. There have also been complaints of paper-thin walls. All rooms, however, have furnished balconies, plus pleasant views of either the resort, the pools, or the sea.Amenities are the same across the board and include mini-fridges, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and safes. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge throughout the hotel, and all rooms come with spacious work desks and ergonomic office chairs. Suites have separate living areas with double sofa beds and wet bars outfitted with microwaves. Generic bathrooms feature shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, spacious sink areas, and a selection of basic toiletries.  

The hotel offers direct access to a long, sandy beach with clear waters on the Gulf of Mexico. Guests are welcome to place their towels on the sand, but those looking to relax on a lounger may be disappointed that there are extra charges for both beach chairs and umbrellas. In addition, the hotel also features two outdoor pools lined with loungers and shaded areas. One of them is heated, while the other one features a grotto-style structure that houses a swim-up bar under a waterfall. There are also an outdoor hot tub and a splash area for children. Dining options are varied here. They include a seafood restaurant serving breakfast buffets (though most guests find the breakfast spread lacking in variety), a seasonal outdoor barbecue joint by the pool, and a beach bar serving up tacos, pizzas, cocktails, and wine by the glass. Packed sandwiches, salads, snacks, and sodas are available at the on-site convenience store, along with beach gear and souvenirs. The fitness center is big and light and offers a wide range of cardio and strength-training machines. The hotel also features extensive indoor and outdoor event space, complete with audiovisual equipment and catering and event planning services. Outdoor parking is provided free of charge on-site, but finding a spot can be challenging when the hotel is fully booked.