Hotel Effie was thoughtfully designed and created by its owners to welcome all guests of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to a new hotel experience - one that exemplifies southern hospitality and exceptional service, wrapped in comfortable luxury that feels like coming home.
Named after owner Thomas Becnel’s grandmother, Effie Burns, Hotel Effie Sandestin exemplifies all the personality of its namesake who was described as the ultimate hostess. The hotel then aims to create a personalized, welcoming environment for guests, as if to say, you are family here … and yes, that even includes your pets.
Adjacent to the Baytowne Conference Center and nestled in the heart of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Hotel Effie Sandestin houses 20,000 square feet of meeting space. And the Ara Rooftop Pool and Lounge tops it all, offering panoramic views of The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Choctawhatchee Bay and Gulf of Mexico while live musicians perform.
DJs provide chill music by day and upbeat tempo beats by night at the open-air bar. Guests enjoy poolside loungers, cabanas, a giant chess set, fine wine, handcrafted cocktails and an
original menu conceptualized by celebrity chef Hugh Acheson. Wrapped around the heated pool, cozy furniture glows at night.
“My daughter, Sara Becnel, has been involved since the beginning and is responsible for coordinating all the subcontractors and all of the efforts,” said Becnel. “She is also responsible for the interior finishes and the design.” Sara is general manager and vice president of development at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Much like Lillian Aplin, Sara’s maternal grandmother, “Spa Lilliana at Hotel Effie” exemplifies beauty and grace. In the spirit of the lady known as Gran, Spa Lilliana provides visitors opulent services while they are surrounded by the ultimate serenity.
Hotel Effie is a place where guests are treated with an environment designed to enliven the senses. Three dimensional porcelain installations by artist Deb Paradise are gracefully presented in the lobby. Brendan Parker was commissioned to create custom paintings for the guest rooms, two large lobby entryway pieces, an original for the presidential suite and a large triptych for the conference center. Each piece is different.
“There are many layers on each canvas. I work with coastal palettes that compliment the aesthetics of the property,” said Parker. “This adds dimension, depth and complexity.” Together the art works form a light, airy collection that suits the contemporary hotel. Guests will experience the vibrancy of the hotel with luxury textiles, natural wood grains, quartzite and sparkling
minerals, all bathed in natural light.
Ovide, the signature restaurant affectionately named after Becnel’s grandfather, accommodates guests inside and on the covered patio. As a James Beard award nominee, Chef Hugh Acheson’s team brings their skills to the table top and bar top offering local cuisine fresh from the Gulf Coast, presented with French cooking techniques robust with flavor and aroma.
Interior spaces of Ovide are a designer’s dream featuring large overhead florals on the ceiling, lifting guests’ eyes and spirits upward.
Chef Acheson also curated Sweetbay Coffee, a breakfast and lunch market which is housed in a lobby enclave designed for gathering. Additionally, the staff offers tea blends, gourmet
snacks and they brew freshly roasted coffee varieties.
Weddings, banquets and corporate functions are spectacular at Hotel Effie which boasts illuminated light fixtures, a grand staircase, luxury bedding, overstuffed pillows, cozy throw blankets, full-length mirrors and refined furnishings.
“The building of the hotel was a fun process, and I especially love the coastal-contemporary design with modern luxury at the forefront. The best part is to see people really enjoying it,” said Sara during the ribbon cutting ceremony on February 4, 2021. “That’s why we build things like this, so people can come and make memories forever.”
Options for hotel guests include a zipline, tennis, four world-class golf courses, and the dunes putting course; boating, fishing, lunch and sunsets at Baytowne Marina, as well as kayaking, biking, crabbing, birdwatching and paddle boarding.
Festivals, hiking trails and white sandy beaches surround the Baytowne Carousel, as do shopping and nightlife. Not to mention, Club KZ daycare programs and Parents’ Night Out are also offered during Memorial Day through mid-August, so families who spend their time at Hotel Effie can plan adult-only as well as family-themed activities. For childcare programs, call (850) 267-7000 for the required advanced reservation.
On the first floor are two rocking chairs underneath a portrait of Effie. Effie’s gift was to make you feel like you were the only person in the room, all with genuine hospitality as refreshing as a glass of sweet tea and a cool breeze while rocking on the porch. As this special tribute reminds, Hotel Effie has taken great strides to offer this same feeling to its guests, complete with modern-day amenities and comforts.