The Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach offers many more resort amenities than other area hotels. However, it still has that typical chain ambience and vestiges remain from its former life as a Holiday Inn. The architecture and stucco on the outside of the building could use some attention, and the furnishings, elevators, and other high-traffic areas show some wear and tear. The lobby bar and restaurant have a touch of Florida seaside character, with rustic wood, key-lime-colored booths, and a crab shack feel. The variety of on-site activities and special kids' programming lures families. There's also a business center and conference facilities to appeal to business travelers. 

The Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach is located on an isolated peninsula on Florida’s Okaloosa Island, right on a white-sand beach with clear water. The immediate area is filled with hotels, residences, and condo communities, with the Emerald Island Convention Center a five-minute drive from the property. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the vicinity, including parasailing, golf, ecotours, snorkeling, scuba, and biking; the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is a couple minutes away by car. The town of Destin is a five-minute drive, while the Destin Airport takes 15 minutes to reach by car. 

Rooms and suites at the Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach are clean, tidy, and bright, with a full slate of amenities, including flat-screen TVs with HBO, DVD players (and free DVD loans), plus microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. The decor is generic and typical of a chain hotel, with dark furniture and unremarkable neutral textiles. Adjoining rooms and condo-like suites with full kitchens and private balconies are available for families and guests planning longer stays, but the bedrooms are a tight fit. However, the living areas are spacious and have sleeper sofas. 

The Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach features two large outdoor pools: one with a hot tub, one with a waterslide. The spacious surrounding sundecks are lined with lounge chairs, palapas, and palms and the poolside tiki bar, Manatee’s, serves fruity drinks and light food. Guests also have the option of dining at Crab Island Cafe, a casual, beach-themed restaurant, with charming decor and a lively happy hour. The property sits right on a gorgeous white-sand beach, and guests may borrow chairs and umbrellas during their stay.

A  24-hour fitness center holds cardio and weight-training equipment, and the hotel offers plenty of outdoor activities, including free paddle-board lessons (in high season), beach volleyball, and loaner bicycles. Other activities include poolside movies, karaoke, bingo, and -- for the kids -- face painting and arts and crafts. There's also a game room with lots of arcade games, skee ball, and pinball machines, a small business center, and conference facilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.