L
ocal developer,
Tom Becnel
acquired
Sandestin Golf and
beach Resort in 2010
and formed Sandestin
Investments, LLC.
Just a few days later,
the Gulf Coast
experienced the
Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill. Sandestin
did what any family
does in times of
celebration and in
opportunity. The
resort pulled together,
became stronger and more resilient than ever before.
According to Sara Becnel, Vice President of Development,
“Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort isn’t just a resort, it’s a
family! From staff, to Sandestin homeowners, to the guests
who visit year after year, generation after generation.” She
adds, “As a local family owned business, the sense of family
infuses itself into every aspect of what we do here at the
resort.”
Offering the largest selection of vacation rentals inside
the gates of Sandestin, the Becnel family is just as delighted,
enthusiastic and dedicated to helping create lifelong
memories for guests of the resort today as they were nearly
nine years ago, when they acquired it.
When asked about how the
passion is kept alive, Tom Becnel,
Owner - Sandestin Investments,
LLC. answered, “It’s because
of our 600+ team members
tending to our guests’ personal
preferences who are shopping,
dining, playing and staying in our
distinct villas, townhomes and
condominiums.” Tom continues,
“Sandestin Golf and Beach
Resort is the only vacation rental
company inside the gates who can
offer complimentary tram service,
bicycle and kayak rentals, not to
mention preferred parking and
pricing at our various activities
and amenities throughout the
resort to our guests. “
The Becnel family is
committed to innovation and
evolving with the needs of their
guests. After several
years of Sandestin
infrastructure updates
and maintenance,
the Becnel family has
begun to put their
efforts into aesthetics
and substantial
amenity updates and
additions. Projects
include the major
renovation of Linkside
Conference Center,
the recent ground
breaking for a new
hotel and conference
center on property, the
up-and -coming renovation of Bayside Conference Center
and construction of a 77-unit boutique condominium set to
break ground later this year.
Tom Becnel has been involved in real estate development
for more than 40 years. When Sara Becnel was just 5 years
old, her father gave her a little pink hardhat with her name
on it to wear when she visited jobsites with him. Ever since
then, Sara’s goal in life was to become a real estate developer
with the opportunity to work alongside her father. Recently
named Vice President of Development, Sara Becnel is living
a 30-year dream come true.
On September 14, 2018 Sandestin Investments LLC, with
Tom and Sara Becnel side-by-side, broke ground on the
Sandestin Hotel and Conference
Center, set for completion April
2020. The project will add an
additional 20,000 sq. ft. meeting
space to the existing 65,000
sq. ft of indoor function space
currently offered by the resort.
Additionally, it will add 250
hotel rooms to the nearly 1,300
vacation rental properties in
current inventory.
Team Sandestin is proud to
embrace local ownership and
leadership into this new chapter
of innovation and making life-
long memories for guests of the
resort.
Visit Sandestin.com/progress-
development for the latest on
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s
vision on development.
FAMILY PROFILE
October 2018 | 35
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9/26/18 5:14 PM