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Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!

Photo gallery for Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!

Beach
One of two luxurious swimming pools on the Gulf!
Serenity
Bathroom
Bathroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 51100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View in a map
Fort Walton Beach, FL
  • Place, Fort Walton Beaches
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Rosa Sound
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Okaloosa Island Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!

Our unit is just steps away from the sand with no streets to cross. Two elevators are available and there is a washer and dryer on each floor of the building. A charcoal grill is also provided at each of the five buildings and there are two swimming pools. The one next to the fitness center is heated.

Our condo unit is unique with its direct views of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound from this top sixth-floor unit! As you enter our condo, you will be awestruck with the beauty of the Gulf waters through the sliding glass doors to the terrace in front of you. The kitchen window looks out to boats floating on the Sound. All windows in the condo provide stunning water views!

The condo is located in a very spacious resort. El Matador is a
gated community with 24-hour security. The guards are visible and located directly across from our building. The resort sits on 13 acres of land at the end of a row of condos and adjacent to 17-miles of uninhabited beach. There are two swimming pools on the property with one on the Gulf of America; two hot tubs and a fitness center are in the clubhouse and overlook the outdoor pool.

Sheets, towels, blankets are provided. In addition, a fully stocked kitchen of pots, pans, utensils, mixing bowels and more are there. Beach chairs and an umbrella is stored in the balcony closet. A starter roll of paper towels, dish detergent and toilet paper will be in the condo. Beyond that, it is the responsibility of the guests to pick up food and extra needs.

We welcome you to enjoy our second home and our newly remodeled bathrooms! There are two bedrooms. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed with a new 2025 mattress and box springs set andthe second bedroom has two twin beds set up as a king. There is an air mattress and foldable thick memory foam mattress available for extra sleep space! We know you will enjoy the ever changing and newly-decorated decor and furnishings and countless amenities provided for your vacation stay.

The condo is decorated with a coastal theme and furnishings and countless amenities are provided for your vacation stay including beach chairs, umbrella and sand toys in our balcony closet. Our guests have become regulars and relish the condo views, amenities and location of this beachfront resort!

There is complimentary wifi and more. I am available if you have questions and there is a guest book with ideas, suggestions and helpful tips on the counter.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No damage is done to the unit or its contents. All trash removed and dishwasher started. Clear refrigerator and freezer of food.
This is a NONSMOKING Unit inside and also not allowed on the back balcony. A fine of $250 will be applied if noncompliant.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Fort Walton Beach

Located in Okaloosa Island, a neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach, this condo is near theme parks and on the beach. HarborWalk Village and Destin Commons are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Fort Walton Beaches and Okaloosa Island Beach. Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park and Emerald Coast Science Center are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
Map
Fort Walton Beach, FL

What's nearby

  • Fort Walton Beaches - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Santa Rosa Sound - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Okaloosa Island Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park - 5 min drive - 4.5 km

Getting around

  • Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Whataburger - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Olive Garden - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Stewby’s Seafood Shanty - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Lost Pizza Co. Ft Walton - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Slim Chickens - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

How much does it cost to stay at Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!?

As of Apr 20, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort! on Aug 6, 2026 start from $256, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Tranquil & Pristine at El Matador Resort! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Okaloosa Island condo building is within a 10-minute walk of Santa Rosa Sound, Fort Walton Beaches, and Okaloosa Island Beach. Wayside Park and Ross Marler Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 63 out of 73 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 73 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 73 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 73 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 73 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Starla F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay. Amazing communication. 10/10
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Soledad P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a nice 2 bedroom it had everything we needed. My kids loved the pool ( 8 1/2 feet deep) the beach was just a walk away from the condo. Lynn was easy to reach.
This is the view from the balcony
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

The condo was beautifully...

The condo was beautifully decorated, clean and spacious, with an awesome view of the Gulf. The beach was a short walk away. The beach was beautiful, with white sand and emerald water. I hope that my family and I will be able to visit again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bridget

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This condo was absolutely AMAZING!! The views were stunning the sounds were so relaxing!! Everything you needed was there. Lynn was an excellent host!! I will definitely book with her again. 10/10
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Jennifer L.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Terrible experience. First day of what was supposed to be 1 month stay was called and told they were turning water off completely for 5 to 7 full days and spent next 2 days going back and forth trying to find other arrangements amd only given portion of money back when i fill like should have been fully refunded with the issues and fact i spent entire time there trting to find somwwhere else to go so wasn't much of a vacation when it had to be cut short from a month to less than a week
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mel T.

A great stay, thank you Lynn

We are a family of 4 with 2 kids ages 10 and 13. Stayed at Lynn’s condo second week in May for 6 nights. The condo like others described is very clean and well maintained. Everything in the unit worked (TV, Internet, Appliances etc.). Lynn was very easy to work with. The unit is on the sixth floor, building #1. There are 2 elevators in the building. Next to the elevator are a washer and dryer. Two dollars for a load of laundry, which I think is very reasonable. The unit is about 30 steps from the elevator (yes, I counted). During our stay it was pretty peaceful, we hardly heard any noise. There are two well maintained pools. The beach is about a 5 min leisurely walk from the unit. It is a great beach for walking and is pretty secluded. The waters had some allege but it did not bother us. We checked out other beaches in the area. They are just as nice and some had no allege. I would definitely recommend this unit.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2017
Verified

8/10 Good

Adam H.

Great ownership and management make all the difference

Nothing fancy about the resort or the individual room but it's got everything you need and more. First the bad. The building (building 1) is not as close to the beach as others but the walk isn't bad. Just make sure you walk with shoes to/from the beach because the shortest walk is across asphalt and it can get hot. Also, the elevators are slow and hot. More times than not it didnt' matter expect when unloading and loading the cars. Lastly, there is only one toilet. One shower/tub wasnt an issue and two sinks was great but would have been nice to have more than one toilet with 5 people in one room especially with the toilet being in the same location as the shower. Now, the good. Wonderful beach at the end of the road so not busy (even on July 4th). The room is very well stocked (including some beach towels, seasoning, reading material). Beds were comfortable and the sheets were too. Water pressure in the shower was great and we never ran out of hot water. AC worked great and fridge and freezer had no issue. Plenty of cabinet and shelf space for all your snacks and drinks. This was our first time in Ft Walton in quite a few years as we normally go further east (Panama City or Destin) or west (Gulf Shores or Pensacola) but this resort is in a good spot where you're close enough to find things to do if you wanted to leave but not so close things seem overcrowded BUT traffic can get bad so be mindful of when and where you want to go. Should we go back to Ft Walton anytime soon I would not hesitate at all to contact Lynn for this unit. She's very responsible, attentive, nice and wonderful property owner to deal with,
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Krystal D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Location and Value!!!!

The beach and sound views from this 6th floor unit were amazing! Steps from the beach and plenty of room to explore in the uninhabited beach next to the property. Close to all of the activities in Destin. Stewby's is nearby and serves the best fresh seafood. Absolutely enjoyed every minute of our stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sloan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway

Would definitely stay here again!! Perfect spot that backs up to the military owned portion of the beach so it’s incredibly quiet and no light pollution to the west (not that east is busy at all). The condo itself is better than the photos depict. They now have a Keurig and a drip coffee pot along with any thing else you could need in the kitchen, although no basics like sugar, filters, condiments. A super comfy king bed and the two twin beds can be pushed together to make a twin with a foam connector piece in the closet. Plenty of storage with cabinets closets and a huge walk-in closet. The bathrooms are great, and would accommodate a full house easily but have an odd layout. From the hall near the 2nd bedroom you walk into a vanity area, that opens to the shower & toilet area, from there there’s a pocket door to the other toilet & larger vanity area that opens to the master bedroom. Plenty of towels, linens, TP, but no toiletries, which wasn’t necessarily expected in a rental condo.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

christopher s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome condo on the beach.

Just steps away from the beach and nice thing is no other properties to the West. Great location and just a short drive to Destin. Lynn the owner was awesome.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beach family reunion

Absolutely loved this condo. Nothing like waking up to an ocean view. Great place to spend a quiet time in Okaloosa.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

First family trip to Florida

Very easy reservation process. Great communication with Lynn. Everything and I mean everything was perfect!!! Lynn answered some questions I had about area attractions. The location and view was wonderful! We even tried to add on to our stay but it was already reserved.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danielle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay!

We enjoyed this Condo so much! Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary N.

Perfect for a family

The condo was perfect for my family. Gorgeous views and a very clean place. It is in a quiet little area on the island with a great pool. Very short walk to the beach. They had beach chairs, an umbrella, and beach towels- really everything you need. It’s a short drive to restaurants but away from the touristy area so the beaches weren’t crowded. Everyone was so friendly in the area. It’s a gated community so felt safe at night. I would highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Natalie R.

Amazing location!

We visited for spring break with our 12- and 14-year-old daughters. We loved Fort Walton beach! It's a little off the beaten path, so we gladly missed out on the spring break madness of Destin while still taking advantage of dining and other attractions in Destin. The El Matador is in a beautiful spot--at the end of a strip of condos/hotels with a long, long stretch of uninhabited beach. The common areas (lobby, laundry rooms) were pristine. Only one of the pools was heated (not sure if this is a seasonal thing), and the warmer pool was pretty crowded because temperatures were fairly low during our stay. The unheated ocean-facing pool is really gorgeous, as is the white sand beach. It's a little stretch of heaven--very clean, not at all crowded. On our last day, we saw a pod of dolphins in the morning and evening. The unit is very convenient to the beach. It's in building one, so not ocean-front, but the walk to and from the unit is short and easy, even with chairs and beach bags in tow. The supply closet off the balcony had umbrellas and nice beach chairs, which was a great bonus. The unit has a beautiful ocean view from the balcony and from the master bedroom, which we enjoyed immensely. As for the unit itself, I was very impressed with how impeccably clean it was. Hats off to the cleaning crew! The unit is fairly dated, but the only real downside of that is the bathroom, which is in need of some TLC, particularly the area with the toilet and shower. The bathroom is Jack-and-Jill style, which means there are two separate areas with sinks and mirrors but only one toilet. From the description I had assumed there were two toilets. It ended up being fine for the four of us--definitely not a deal breaker. Overall, we enjoyed our stay here and would love to get back to Fort Walton in the near future. Lynn was a breeze to work with--she responded quickly when we were booking and also refunded our security deposit very quickly.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia O.

Great stay!

Great property! Such an easy walk to te beach and great view. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jason T.

Very nice place and very quiet

Na
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan O.

Great location. Quiet. Great for families.

This was our first time staying here. We really loved it. The quiet location was perfect for the four of us. I loved being able to walk down to a uncrowded beach. The pools were nice. The gym was incredible, as I used it several times that week. The condo had great decor. It was very comfortable. The only negative I had, was there was not any toilet paper or trash bags left after the first round. This wasn't a huge deal, because there was a store close, but I would have prepared for it if I would have known. Overall, I would recommend this for anyone looking to rent.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

April F.

Very Peaceful.

We had a great time. The room was great and the beach was amazing.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

We love staying here!

We really enjoyed our stay. The condo is great and we really like El Matador. We had everything we needed in the condo. It was very pretty and well furnished. Lynn was great to work with. El Matador is next to undeveloped property, so it is not too crowded, and I especially like that there is always a security guard on duty.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette M.

Comfy and Private

Great condo with room for all 6 of us. A short walk to the pools and beach. Beach was nice and private as El Matador is the last complex on the row! Lynn is great to work with and was very accommodating. A great beach getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
Archival

8/10 Good

Lorie C.

A wonderful unit with beautiful views

This unit has amazingly beautiful views! The kitchen was well stocked with what we needed during our stay & the furniture was really comfortable. The owner, Lynn, is an awesome person that just wants to make sure that your stay is a great one filled with happy memories. If you want a peaceful place to stay with great amenities & amazing views this is the place to stay!
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Amanda O.

Perfect Vacation

We couldn't have asked for more. The condo was perfect. The view was great and we loved the seclusion of the beach. We weren't fighting a crowd like you do on the beach in Destin. However it is very close to Destin to take advantage of the activities offered there. The property itself is very well maintained and clean including the pools. We would love to stay in this same place again in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lisa O.

Great location. Beautiful white sand beach and the clear ocean water

The condo was great for our family although most of our time was spent on the beach! Just a short walk across the parking lot to get to the beach. No streets to cross! Condo was stocked with beach chairs and umbrella so we didn't have to worry about those things! Condo was clean and comfortable with plenty of places to eat and get supplies near by. Wish we would have stayed longer! Lynn was great to work with! Thank you for sharing your condo!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Brittany D.

Great Condo!

My family and I loved this condo. It had everything we would need for vacation. The beach was great and wasn't over crowded. We had a great family vacation and are planning another already!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2016

About the host

Your host

Host profile image
Shane & Lynn Gunning

5-Star Rated on Leading Vacation Rental Platforms & Super Host Status with other major Competing Rental Site. More reviews collected there.

Why they chose this property

After visiting all corners of our favorite state, we discovered The Emerald Coast. The white snow-like sand that never gets hot and always squeaks when you turquoise-colored crystal clear calm friendly southern specifically, the uncrowded location on Okaloosa Island--we fell in love with it all!

What makes this property unique

We considered many properties in and around Fort Walton Beach and Destin, Florida. What sold us on El Matador resort is the acreage and quietness. The view of the 17 miles of undeveloped beach adjacent to this resort is pure peace! In addition, our resort is a permanent home to one third of the residents which fosters pride in its upkeep!
Note: Sheets, towels, blankets are provided. In addition, a fully stocked kitchen of pots, pans, utensils, mixing bowels and more are there. Beach chairs and an umbrella is stored in the balcony closet for the use of the guests. A starter roll of paper towels and toilet paper will be in the condo. Beyond that, it is the responsibility of the guests to pick up food and extra needs.
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