In an era where beachfront high-rises dominate the Emerald Coast skyline, the Inn on Destin Harbor (conveniently located near Boshamps and Marina Cafe) stands as a reminder of the area’s fishing village roots while adapting to serve contemporary travelers.

• When Jason Wood purchased the 70-room boutique hotel located at 402 Harbor Blvd in 2018 from longtime owners Paul Owens and Charlie Noonan, he discovered a property steeped in local history.

Through research at the Destin Fishing and History Museum and interviews with charter boat captains and former city council members, Wood attempted to piece together the hotel’s story as best he could.

“The current building dates back to the late 1960s, but there were several iterations before that going into the 1940s and ’50s,” Wood said. “It was originally Bobby Moor’s McCoy Court, situated between the Flamingo Cafe and the Rob Roy Motel.”

The hotel underwent several transformations over the decades, operating as Bobby Moor’s Hospitality Inn, Harborview Inn, and Best Rest Inn before becoming the Inn on Destin Harbor under Owens and Noonan’s ownership.

Wood’s acquisition of the property itself reflects the close-knit nature of coastal communities. After spotting the hotel while seeking a project closer to his new home, he tracked down the ownership group to Brewton, Alabama through family connections. 

• “Brewton’s a small town,” Wood said. “There was bound to be somebody who would know who owns this beautiful property in Destin.” Those small-town connections proved crucial in building trust with Owens and Noonan, who weren’t actively selling but were approaching retirement.

The previous owners’ deep community ties – Charlie Noonan’s involvement with the Destin Fishing Rodeo and fishing museum, and Paul Owens’ decades of investment in the area – made them particularly selective about the property’s future. “They were stakeholders in Destin,” Wood said. “I think that was a big motivation for them aside from the money.”

Wood, who has a background in hotel construction and development, saw potential in the property’s waterfront location and historic character. His connection to the area began in 2016 when his family moved to nearby Freeport for his son to attend the Emerald Coast Autism Center.

Wood sees the property’s preservation as increasingly significant given Destin’s rapid development. In the 1980s, Wood says the site was considered for redevelopment as part of a high-rise project similar to Silver Shells, but financial challenges prevented the plan from moving forward.

• “After a certain point, building restrictions, setback rules, and other factors created a situation where you couldn’t really replace the hotel,” Wood said. “If you were to tear it down, you couldn’t build back the density and proximity to the water that you have today.”

Since acquiring the property, Wood has focused on balancing modern amenities with the hotel’s vintage charm. Recent upgrades include a revamped breakfast area, an outdoor balcony extension from the bar area, and local craft beer selections from Destin Brewery and Third Planet Brewery.

The hotel maintains its historic footprint, featuring 11-foot-wide guest rooms with 8-foot ceilings characteristic of the motor lodge era, but now offers contemporary amenities like updated furnishings and modern bedding.

• “We’re trying to balance the needs of modern travelers with the limitations of a historic building,” Wood said. “We want to give them a great, clean, updated room while retaining that charm that draws people to the harbor district.”

The property offers complimentary amenities including kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles. It also operates its own charter boat, the Innkeeper, a 47-foot Buddy Davis sport fisher available for fishing trips and excursions. The vessel features an air-conditioned cabin, satellite TV, and modern marine electronics for both serious fishing expeditions and leisure cruises to destinations like Crab Island.

Guests can also take advantage of a partnership with Harbor Haulers, offering complimentary shuttle service throughout the harbor district. The Destin Water Taxi, which stops at the hotel, provides another transportation option for beach access and harbor exploration.

Looking ahead, Wood plans to add a nine-slip marina behind the hotel for guest use. The property joined Choice Hotel Group’s Ascend Collection in 2020, allowing it to maintain its independent character while offering loyalty program benefits.

Wood sees the hotel’s evolution as representative of broader shifts in the hospitality industry. “In the past, travelers relied on franchise systems because they ensured consistency,” he said. “But with social media and smartphones, people can now research boutique properties and get a real feel for the experience before they arrive.”

• This change has made independent and soft-branded hotels the fastest-growing segment in hospitality alongside extended-stay properties.

The hotel welcomes pets, offering a pet-friendly environment for guests traveling with dogs or cats. Through a special collaboration with Westonwood Ranch, a nonprofit school for autistic students founded by Wood’s wife, Lindy, the hotel provides arriving pet owners with “Brew Chews” – special dog treats created by the school’s students using spent brewer’s grains as part of their job skills training program.

The 2024 summer season proved successful for the hotel, with Wood noting an increase in shorter stays and weekend trips as travelers sought economical options. The hotel continues to invest in improvements during the off-season, including deep cleaning, painting, and general maintenance.

“People ask us where the locals go,” Wood said. “That’s why we emphasize being part of the neighborhood and sharing our history. It’s all about creating a story.”

The Inn’s survival as one of Destin’s older structures – withstanding both hurricanes and development pressure – positions it uniquely in a market dominated by newer construction. Its preservation offers visitors a glimpse of old Florida while providing modern comforts and harbor-front convenience that newer properties can’t replicate due to current building restrictions.

“We’re constantly working to improve while maintaining that charm,” Wood said. “I’ve fallen in love with Destin. The fact that you can get in your boat and be in the Gulf in five minutes is just pretty awesome.”