VACATION MAKER Concierge Leads Families to Fun, Food and Outings BY HANNAH BURKE
ELLEN CORNELL
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18 HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH 2018
n his 30 years in the hotel industry, Darrell Smith has dabbled in nearly every hospitality post in the business, working at properties from the West Coast to the East Coast, in Hawaii and even Mexico. At Hilton Sandestin Beach, Smith found his home. For 12 years, he has been the in-house concierge. With a knack for people and a love for land and sea, he masterfully creates custom vacation experiences for each family that seeks his suggestions. “More than anything, my job is about making memories,” Smith says. “A family walks in and it’s obvious that they’ve been travelling for hours, but they’re really happy about being here. One of the strongest components of my personality is my ability to identify with people. From there, I’m able to assess their needs. Seeing their excitement grow is what makes me happy.” Once Smith taps in on a family’s energy level, he takes a good look at each member. The age range of the children and the personalities of the parents play the main role in determining what recreations to recommend. No matter how your tribe varies, Smith knows that families choose to stay at the resort for its family-friendly amenities. Whether you’re a family of beachcombers or a pack of thrill-seekers, there’s a surplus of offerings to keep you and yours occupied. Obviously, the primary attraction of Hilton Sandestin Beach is its breathtakingly lovely Gulf beach. Some families choose to simply soak up the sun or splash in the waves, but for more active beachgoers, there are kayaks, paddleboards and a full-service marina at the ready. To enjoy the water without the sand, families may spend time at either of