What's the difference?

Question

Can someone tell me what is the difference between Pelican Beach Resort by Tufan and Pelican Beach Resort. I'm thinking I may have booked the wrong one. Location on the map is showing two different locations?

Answer

In Destin, Florida, the names "Pelican Beach Resort" and "Pelican Beach Resort by Tufan" can indeed refer to two different listings or management entities, which may explain why maps are showing different locations. This can be confusing for travelers, especially when booking through platforms like VRBO, Airbnb, or other vacation rental sites.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Pelican Beach Resort: This is the original or main resort complex located along the Gulf Coast in Destin. It typically features a variety of condos, townhomes, and vacation rentals managed directly by the resort or a central property management company. Amenities usually include private beach access, pools, tennis courts, and on-site maintenance.
Pelican Beach Resort by Tufan: This is likely a subset of the main Pelican Beach Resort or an independently managed portion of the property, often handled by a private management company (in this case, Tufan). While the accommodations are generally similar—condos or townhomes near the beach—the units might be in a different building or cluster of the resort, sometimes with slightly different rules, check-in procedures, or amenities. This is why it may show a slightly different location on a map.

Key points to consider when determining if you booked the “right” one:

Check the exact street address provided in your booking confirmation. Even within the same resort complex, different buildings can have different entrances or addresses.
Look at the unit number or building name—this usually clarifies which part of the resort you’re staying in.
Review the amenities and policies on the booking platform. Tufan-managed units may have different check-in times, parking rules, or pet policies.
Contact the property manager or booking platform directly to confirm which building or section your unit is in. They can clarify if it’s on the main resort grounds or in a separate area managed by Tufan.

In general, both options should give you access to the same beach and general resort amenities, but the exact location of your unit within the resort and the management company handling it can differ. For peace of mind, verifying your confirmation with the management company is the best approach to ensure you know precisely where you’ll be staying.