Our 30A Luxury Vacation: From No Agenda to Valet Service and Oceanfront Views

It’s that time of year again—the season where summer vacations start winding down, and school supply lists start stacking up. If you’ve got kids (or college students), you know exactly what I mean. Some folks come back from vacation feeling refreshed and ready to roll. Others? Even more tired than when they left, wondering where in the world the summer went.

For my Florida people, this is also the time we shift our mindset into hurricane season mode—stocking up, prepping, and side-eyeing every swirl that pops up on the radar.

So, with all that going on, I figured I’d give you something a little lighter to indulge in: the recap of our recent family vacation. A trip that started with outlet shopping and ended with ocean views, luxury service, and exactly the kind of moments that remind you why we take time off in the first place.

The Warm-Up: Back-to-School Shopping at the Outlets

We kicked things off with a little “productive fun” — school shopping at the outlets for the kids. You know the drill: they’re growing so fast, it feels like we’re replacing wardrobes every other month.

Somewhere between kids' clothes and sneakers, I got put on game about the Hey Dude brand. I’ll be honest — I didn’t know what the hype was about… until I tried them on. Game. Changer. These things are ridiculously comfortable. So comfortable that the entire family walked out of the store with a pair. When you find something that feels good on your feet, you don’t question it — you just swipe the card and keep moving.

Switching Gears: Our 30A Luxury Vacation

Once the school shopping mission was accomplished, it was time to fully transition into our annual family vacation. This year, we headed to the 30A area of Florida’s Panhandle — and let me just say, this year’s experience was next level.

Before we reached our final destination, we decided to take the scenic route and freelance a little. We made a few detours to some of our favorite spots along 30A, just going with the flow. First stop: The Village of Baytowne Wharf, where we spent an evening enjoying a great dinner followed by some gelato that hit the spot. The next day, we wandered through Rosemary Beach Town Center, grabbed lunch, and soaked in the easy-going vibe — along with some of my favorite coastal architecture.

After those warm-up stops, it was finally time to roll up to our home base for the next five days — and that’s when the trip shifted gears from “vacation” to this might be how I want to live.

We’ve been to nice places before, but this? This was the kind of service that made me stop and rethink my life choices.

Luxury on Another Level

From the moment we arrived, it felt different. The property had a 24-hour gated entrance with someone there to greet us and check us in before we even reached the front doors. Valet service whisked the car away, and a concierge team made sure we had everything we needed (and a few things we didn’t even know we needed).

We had people open and hold doors for us, and amenities that included access to the Watersound Beach Club, a complimentary shuttle ready to take us anywhere on the property, and the Treat Suites on each guest floor — always stocked with specialty coffee, ice cream, and snacks at all times. Oh, and the pool cabanas? Included at no extra charge — with staff checking in to make sure we were set.

It was so personable, too. They knew us by name, Drs. Lovett and family. Every interaction felt exclusive, like we were the only guests there. At first, I didn’t know how to relax into it — my default is doing everything myself. But after a day or two, I started thinking, You know what? I could get used to this.

Maximizing Every Moment

The weather gave us a mix of sunshine and a few scattered showers, but we made the most of every single day. We laughed, ate, and floated in the pool with the kids. We spent time at the beach and just enjoyed being present.

I did sneak in a little bit of work (old habits), but not much. The rest of the time was pure recharge mode — laying out by the pool, feeling the sun, and watching the kids have a blast. April and I had time to connect in a way we haven’t in a while, because life at home is usually a blur of schedules, sports, and “what’s for dinner” conversations.

Worth Every Second

This wasn’t just another vacation-it was a 30A luxury vacation in every sense. It was an experience — one I think everyone should try at least once in their life. The combination of luxury, personal service, and that unbeatable 30A atmosphere made it unforgettable.

April’s already planning to share a follow-up video to give you a closer look at the resort and the full experience. And trust me, once you see it, you’ll understand why this trip hit different.

Until then, just know this: sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself (and your family) is say “yes” and go for it, put the to-do list on pause, and let someone else hold the door for a change.

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Your Turn: What’s the best resort or vacation spot you’ve ever stayed at? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for ideas for our next trip.