DESTIN, Fla.
Salamander Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort. Set along Florida’s Gulf Coast, the resort overlooks Destin’s emerald-green waters.
The resort features 170 guest rooms and suites, a nature-inspired spa, Gulf-to-table cuisine, an octagonal bar with panoramic Gulf views, a rooftop terrace, two outdoor swimming pools, 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, and private beach access.
Located along one of America’s top beaches and adjacent to a 208-acre environmentally protected state park, The Henderson is reminiscent of a grand seaside manor of yesteryear. The property is owned by Memphis-based Dunavant Enterprises, Inc., and is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts.
“After a decade of development and meticulous planning, our family is thrilled and humbled that opening day is finally here,” said Bill Dunavant III, president and CEO of Dunavant Enterprises, Inc. “An incredible amount of work has been invested into this project, and there are many, many people to thank in making it happen. It has always been our vision to offer a level of luxury previously unavailable between New Orleans and Sarasota while also providing a destination resort [the region is proud of].”
The Henderson features nearly 30,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor function space, including several beachfront locations and a Grand Lawn. In its dedicated and flexible event wing, the resort offers the soaring 5,221-square-foot Crystal Ballroom, as well as a junior ballroom. On the fifth floor, the Sunset Vista Terrace provides stunning views of the beach and the state park’s foliage.
The Henderson celebrates Destin’s Gulf-to-Table seafood traditions at its Primrose restaurant, named for Destin’s first commercial fishing boat. In addition to fresh catches bought daily from fishermen, the menu offers fine selections of steaks and chops and shareable plates. The open-kitchen design restaurant also features a sushi bar as well as extensive outdoor terrace seating.
Drawing on the inspirational venue with treatments that incorporate the natural surroundings, The Henderson’s Salamander Spa features 11 treatment rooms and numerous amenities, including a ladies steam room, sauna and whirlpool which overlooks the treetops of the secluded park.
For those wanting a more active setting, The Henderson also offers a sun-lit fitness room and a variety of other water experiences, including a family-oriented pool with a lazy river and an adult zone and pool.
The Henderson is less than 10 minutes from Destin Harbor, where the resort’s guests can enjoy numerous water activities, shop in a festive marketplace, and interact with fishing vessel captains.
