El Matador 620 by Alicia Hollis Rentals Avail 11/6-3/1/2025

Looking for Paradise? Here it is at the El Matador! Has to be the most sought of family vacation resort on the Emerald Coast. A secluded condominium nestled between the beautiful white sand dunes and the sparkling Emerald Waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Free Activities are Included with your stay! As a Thank You for staying with us, you will receive complimentary admissions to popular activities and attractions, Everyday of your stay. Check Out -> xplorie.com/fun/ajh/. Only Valid for Short Term Rentals. Not available for Per Diem Stays, Guest of Owner Stays.

1 Free admission everyday to -> Shalimar Golf Course - Round of Golf, Big Kahuna’s Water Park - General Admission, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park - General Admission, Wild Willy’s Grand Prix The Gator: Adult Admission, Sea Blaster - Beach or Sunset Dolphin Cruise,
Sea Blaster - Snorkel Admission, Cruisin Tiki’s - Evening Sunset Cruise.

El Matador is truly a beach resort. Just two miles down Santa Rosa Blvd at the end of the Island you will find us – secluded but still just a few minutes to all the amenities that Destin and Fort Walton Beach have to offer. Just six miles down Hwy. 98 you can enjoy Destin – “ The Worlds Luckiest Fishing Village” – charter a private trip or take the kids out on a group boat and catch dinner. While in Destin enjoy fine restaurants, shopping, and golfing on some of the best golf courses in the Panhandle of Florida. Hard to believe that you might need a day off from the beach but if you do take the family to Big Kahunas Water Park in the center of old Destin. Much more than just a water park… it’s a day of fun!

Back at the El Matador enjoy the large grass areas between our buildings just right for family fun and games. With two pools, his and her whirlpool, and saunas just right for your tired muscles after a game of tennis on one of our courts, or in our fitness center. We are located at the end of Okaloosa Island a small barrier Island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. This gated community with thirteen miles of undeveloped beaches to the west is sure to have you longing to return.

Vacation Rental Reviews

• Restful stay

  Stayed 7 days ending in July, 2024

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  Martin C from Murfreesboro, TN recommends this vacation rental

  We had a wonderful week at El Matador.
  The location is ideal. Pools were lovely.

  • Manager Responded on 8/3/2024

    Martin it was a pleasure helping you guys and hope to see you again in the future.

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• Loved it.

  Stayed 11 days ending in August, 2023

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  Kourtney B from Clearwater, KS recommends this vacation rental

  The condo was perfect. The only request I would make was for a few more supplies on hand. More trash bags, maybe a mini vacuum. I like to clean.

  • Manager Responded on 8/12/2023

    Thank you so much for the feedback. We will pass this along to the owner for future guest and hope to see you guys again.

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• Family Beach vac

  Stayed 4 days ending in July, 2023

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  Tina C from Cullman, AL recommends this vacation rental

  the condo was very clean and my kids had a blast! Very easy to check in and check out!

  • Manager Responded on 7/24/2023

    Tina, we are very happy you enjoyed this studio unit 620, such a cozy unit and beautiful view of the water from a distance and conveniently located pool, right down stairs by that condo. we would love to have you back with us for your next vacation.

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• Great Time!

  Stayed 4 days ending in June, 2023

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  a guest from Douglasville, GA recommends this vacation rental

  we have been coming to el matador for over 20 years, with kids, now as empty nesters. first time staying in a studio. studio was clean, walk to beach and pool was not bad. a few minor issues were, broken chair on patio, towel rack in bathroom comes off wall, needs to update pots and pans for cooking, and never could figure out the TV.
  overall I would stay in studio again.

  • Manager Responded on 7/24/2023

    thanks for your review Jim, we will certainly let the owner know about some of your issues, and we are glad that you enjoyed your stay, and we will see you again.

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• A Beachside Gem!

  Stayed 31 days ending in April, 2022

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  Handan N from Jacksonville, Fl recommends this vacation rental

  We stayed in 620 for 2 months while house-hunting in the area, and it was a fantastic place to stay. Heated pool right outside the door and a short walk to the beautiful white sand beach! Only a short drive to Aj's and more restaurants/shopping in FWB or Okaloosa Island. Our realtor Austin was a perfect gentleman and went out of his way to be helpful and accommodating.

  • Manager Responded on 4/9/2022

    We appreciate the review about the condo, and it does have a perfect location with the pool just close to it. Austin is a joy to work with, and he is a perfect gentleman. We are happy that you enjoyed 620 and it has a gorgeous view from a distance and close to all the other amenities on the property. Visit us again, when you can.

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• Staying at El Matador

  Stayed 3 days ending in August, 2021

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  Jeremy J from Easley, SC recommends this vacation rental

  We really appreciated that the company had a dropbox, so we could pick up our keys after hours. It was also great to have security patrolling on the property. Even though we saw crowds when driving, the beach area was not, which made it more enjoyable. The rental could have used a bit of maintenance. It wasn't anything bad enough to hinder our stay. The cleanliness was disappointing. The floors left our socks black. We realize it is at the beach, but feeling dirt even before you go outside is a bit much. There were also long dark hairs on the bedding, towels, and even the dish cloth. Some of the towels were so stained it looked as if they hadn't been washed. Thankfully, there was a good supply of extras. We didn't use the pool, but it was nice to know it was open til late at night. The sidewalk is a bit dangerous in spots due to unevenness. I had my hands full and couldn't see that one piece stuck up higher and I tripped and almost fell.

  • Manager Responded on 9/20/2021

    Jeremy, we are so sorry that the cleaning was not great, i will get to housekeeping about that, and also that the property on the outside was not the best. We hope to help you again the next time but, maybe if not 620 in another property, but, love to have you back.

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• El Matador Room 620

  Stayed 3 days ending in June, 2021

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  a guest from Lake Park, GA recommends this vacation rental

  I booked room 620 at El Matador at the last minute. Had I not been in a scramble to find something so quickly, I would have booked a different room/condo. Plenty of extra towels and wash cloths were provided and they were clean. The sheets on the bed were also clean. The room is very dated. Maybe look into upgrading the room and bathroom. The room itself as a whole was ok as far as cleanliness. While the floors appeared clean, they were not. We had to wear socks/flip flops around in the room the entire time because within minutes of our walking around in the room barefoot after arriving, our feet were black. The floor itself has probably not been mopped for months. In the bathroom, there was hair on the sink. In the shower in an area where the wall paper appears to be peeling off, there is black mold growing under where the wall paper should be. The bed and pullout couch bed are very uncomfortable, we woke up with our backs hurting every morning. I would recommend taking a memory foam topper for the beds. We were on the 2nd floor with no elevators in this building, so we had to lug our things up and down the stairs when loading and unloading, and everyday we went down to the beach. The doors seam very thin as you can hear people in the hallway late at night talking loudly when they walk by and slamming their doors. I like that there was a full kitchen to prepare meals and the bed sheets were clean. Overall, I would rent a condo here again, but next time I would book it in another building that has elevators and closer to the ocean, maybe building 3/4.

  • Manager Responded on 6/12/2021

    Christy, on your return visit call us direct,. We will book you a 1 b/r in bldg. 3/4. We always furnish clean sheets and towels in our condos.. Surprised that you said condo is dated. It was just remodeled last year and the couch was purchased this year , it had a sofa instead of a sofa/bed. There is an elevator for the studios, right before you go up the stairs. Check out . Choose complex, El Matador and look at condos that end with a 4 or 5. 445,435,425, etc.

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• Great quick trip

  Stayed 3 days ending in May, 2021

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  Luke L from New Iberia, LA recommends this vacation rental

  It was a nice place to stay for a few days or for an extended period. Place was big enough for just 2 of us

  • Manager Responded on 5/25/2021

    Wonderful short term vacations are always enjoyable and especially unit 620 at the El Matador is as cute as a button. You had the joy of the pool right by it, and our beautiful sunsets in the distance. We hope to see you both again.

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• Vacation

  Stayed 7 days ending in July, 2020

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  Angela D from Knoxville, TN recommends this vacation rental

  The condo was very clean but needed a little updating. The location was fantastic and the staff kept the grounds extremely clean. I watched a maintenance guy picking up the smallest pieces of trash every single day which I was very impressed. The beach was beautiful. The only complaint is that the cleaning staff parked in front of the building which left very little spots for guest. Overall a fantastic experience.

  • Manager Responded on 7/27/2020

    Angela, thanks so much for your review, and we are glad that you enjoyed your stay at The El Matador unit 620, so close to the pool and steps out to the beach. Unit 620 was updated last year, had been remodeled, and i appreciate your comments, but, we would just love to see you again.

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• Great!

  Stayed 4 days ending in June, 2020

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  Amy E from Morgantown, KY recommends this vacation rental

  We had a wonderful time on our trip. Condo was nicely decorated & clean. Beach wasn’t very crowded and there was a nice pool right beside the room that we had to ourselves most of the time. The only complaint I have was the water pressure in the shower. It took awhile to take a shower because there wasn’t much water that came out. Other than that I have no complaints, would definetely stay again!

  • Manager Responded on 6/16/2020

    Thanks so much Amy, we were happy to have you, stay with us and a pleasure working with you. We would love to see you again next time in unit 620 for your wonderful vacation with us.

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