The four-story La Quinta Inn & Suites Fort Walton Beach is easily spotted from the street because of its telltale mustard paint and red roof. The lobby features comfortable sofas and a glass table, as well as an electronic area directory that provides a guide of things to do in the area. While the hotel is smoke-free, there is one designated smoking area outside. The breakfast cafe has tables and chairs for guests and serves a continental spread every morning, with a microwave available.

This property largely attracts budget-minded families with its freebies, pool, and amenities such as laundry facilities.

The gulf front hotel is a 10-minute drive to Eglin Air Force Base and is across the street from a series of marinas, as well as some open land. There’s not much to see in the area, besides a car repair shop next door and a truck parking lot on the hotel property (if those are considered worth seeing). To the north, just across the street, is the First Presbyterian Church. There aren’t too many places to eat in the immediate area, save for the Original Waterfront Crab Shack, which is a 10-minute walk west. To the east is Fort Walton Landing Park, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and Shoppes at Paradise Pointe, although they are more difficult to reach on foot because of heavy traffic and spotty sidewalks. More shops and businesses are located east of the hotel on Miracle Strip Parkway.

Rooms have small hallway closets with ironing boards and irons, as well as extra hangers. Rooms are uniform in design with geometric carpeting and brown and olive bed linens; the headboards are slabs of dark wood attached to the wall. All rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges. Furnishings include desks and dressers, with flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls. In the bathroom, the sink counters are black-and-white granite, and a hair dryer is attached to the wall. The coffeemaker is on the sink counter, as are basic toiletries. Some upgraded units also have a second bedroom.

Every morning a free continental breakfast is served, but there is no other dining option at the hotel. The fitness center is small with free weights and basic cardio machines. For work, there is a meeting room and two computer stations in the nearby business center. The outdoor swimming pool is gated, and there is a hot tub as well. There are no umbrellas with the lounge chairs, but there is a shaded seating area. The laundry room has coin-operated washers and dryers. The hotel is pet-friendly and in the back, there is a partially fenced in area for dog owners to take their pets. It includes a garbage can and plastic bag dispenser.