Nestled between white sand dunes and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, El Matador is a secluded condominium offering a beach resort experience. Enjoy free beach service, two pools, his and her whirlpool tubs, saunas, tennis courts, and a fitness center.
Reviews
8.68.6 out of 10
Excellent
Entire condo
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Pool
Spa pool
Kitchen
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Gym
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire condo to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day
FREE BEACH SERVICE FOR 2026 SEASON.
Enjoy Free Activities with your stay — a $300+ per day value! As our way of saying thank you, you’ll receive complimentary daily admissions to popular local attractions. (Valid for short-term rentals only. Not available for per diem or guest-of-owner stays.)
Each day, you will receive a ticket to each of the following:
- Shalimar Golf Course - Big Kahuna’s Water Park - Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park - Wild Willy’s Grand Prix - Sea Blaster (Dolphin Cruise (Beach or Sunset)) - Sea Blaster (Snorkeling Trip) - Cruisin’ Tiki’s (Evening Sunset Cruise)
Looking for paradise? You’ve found it at El Matador—one of the most sought-after beach resorts on the Emerald Coast. This secluded condominium community is nestled between beautiful white sand dunes and the sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, offering the perfect setting for a relaxing and memorable beach getaway.
Located at the quiet end of Okaloosa Island, El Matador provides a peaceful, gated environment while still being just minutes from Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Just a short drive away, you can explore Destin—“The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”—where you’ll find deep-sea fishing charters, waterfront dining, shopping, and some of the best golf courses in the Florida Panhandle. For family fun, spend a day at Big Kahuna’s Water Park, a local favorite packed with attractions for all ages.
Back at the resort, enjoy a full range of amenities, including: - Two swimming pools - His-and-her whirlpools and saunas - Tennis courts and fitness center - Direct private beach access
With miles of pristine, sugar-white beaches just steps away and both relaxation and adventure within reach, El Matador is the perfect destination for your next coastal escape.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Heated pool
Hot tub
Sauna
Internet
Available in the condo: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
DVD player
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Lift
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
Near a hospital
Things to do
Golf
Gym
Heated pool
Kayak
Tennis
Basketball nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Frequently asked questions
Does El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.
Is El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is El Matador 445 by Alicia Hollis Rentals FREE TICKETS! $300/Day located?
Nestled on the beach, this Okaloosa Island condo building is within a 10-minute walk of Santa Rosa Sound, Fort Walton Beaches and Okaloosa Island Beach. Wayside Park and Ross Marler Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great condo with everything you need! Comfy bed great view and nice deck chairs.
Overall, the property is very well kept, especially for a much older property. Our stay was very pleasant, the only issues with our particular unit was the water pressure was not very strong on any of the faucets or the toilet but it was not bad enough to make a phone call to the property manager while we were there. The property manager stay in touch on a regular basis from the time we booked our stay until the day we checked in and that was very nice. Overall, everything went very smooth with the exception of the pool being closed for two days and no one really knew why but Apparently it had to be cleaned or something
Lisa A.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Judith D.
11 May 2024
Your own Paradise! Unit 445 is Perfect placement in the complex
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The view is amazing. The unit is on the 4th floor giving you the dramatic views of the gorgeous Emerald Coast. Love that this complex is the last on the strip. While the balcony view gives you superb views of the beach, the front door gives you views of breathtaking sunsets, looking over miles and miles of unspoiled dunes. The added bonus of having complimentary beach chairs and umbrella service was a great feature! We didn't take advantage of the other bonus tickets that come with the unit. The boardwalk in Destin is only a short drive and McGuires Restaurant is a must! Unit 445 had everything you need (except for a hair dryer, so be prepared. I was told that other guests have stolen them, perhaps a dryer installed on the wall would be an option?) The mattress and linens were very comfortable as well as the living room furniture. An added bonus was a bookcase filled with books, and a flashlight for your night stroll on the beach! Unit 445 is Perfect placement. Great communication from the Hollis agency.
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Clean, comfortable, had everything we needed and a beautiful view
John Z.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
ottie r.
7 June 2023
445
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Had a wonderful time! Thank you Chris for all your help!!
Check in was pretty easy, we had to pick up a key at the management office I don't think we received the code to the lock box but there was a nice man who (i think lived above the rental office) helped us out, so there was no issues with check in. The management office was literally down the street from the El Matador so it was so convenient. The unit overall was a nice size. The kitchen had everything we needed. Wish there was a Keurig coffee pot, unfortunately there was a older coffee pot so we didn't bother making coffee because we brought pods.
Erin M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Christopher D.
19 May 2019
The view! Fine place to stay for a few days
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great location and very spacious. Bed is a bit tired, probably time for new mattress. Kitchen fully stocked with pots, pans, utensilss, Drip coffee maker. Incredible view of course.
Don’t let the following info discourage you from coming to the El Matador. Overall loved my vacation in the condo was nice, but I felt they could’ve put more time in cleaning tile floor(had footprints on the bottom of my socks) and the towel bar in the bathroom fell off the first day. Furniture was a little dark and outdated. I guess when going to the beach, you expect brighter more cheerful decor or at least I do. I definitely recommend El Matador and will continue to come back every year.
Kelly C.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025
Archival
8/10 Good
29 Oct 2013
El Matador 445
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We enjoyed our stay at El Matador 445 and have booked this unit for our stay for the next 2 years. We would like to see a long dressing mirror and tall balcony chairs so the view would be even more enjoyable.
It is clean and quiet, but could use a little TLC and updates. It would be nice to have a roll of paper towels on hand and a better grade of toilet paper. The view from the balcony is great, the bed was comfortable as well as the living room furnishings. Beach access was easy and the beach was very clean.Overall I would give it a 4.9 out of 5!
Brian E.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Susie B.
18 July 2023
El Matador Review
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
It was such a great experience. Have always stayed on ground floor but wanted to “ move up” and view the ocean each day. The staff working for Alicia Hollis was the very best. I highly recommend anyone to go through them. Very honest and dependable. Loved my stay.
Susie B.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Cassandra A.
7 June 2023
Great choice!
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We stayed in room #445. Check in/out was easy. Condo was clean. Pool was clean & beautiful. The view of the ocean/beach was amazing. The only complaint is really a preference. The mattress was overly soft and the water pressure was low. However, neither of those two things would keep us from coming back. We plan to stay at El Matador on many more trips.
Cassandra A.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
From a partner site
8/10 Good
5 June 2022
Awesome view
Rating Details:
The property manager was very unhelpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Loved sitting on balcony watching ocean and people. Gorgeous weather. Room was clean. However, the balcony was terribly filthy! No cleaning supplies in which to wipe furniture down. Called Hollis office and was told the filth was due to building maintenance, but that they had nothing to do with the outside. Also, we were never told that work was going to be done when we made reservations. The noise was horrendous! My husband had headache first two days. The office told us to go to the beach or shopping from 9-5 so we wouldn’t be around the noise! REALLY?!🥴
This was the absolute best vacation experience ever! Bed in condo was the most comfortable bed ever. Looking for one of the mattresses already lol. Sofa sleep was comfortable. Condo was exact to description. Very clean, larger than expected, very quiet and the view was absolutely beautiful. We all had a wonderful time and I would stay there again in a minute. 👍👍👍👍👍
angela b.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Mike B.
2 Aug 2021
Another great week at the El Matador
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The condo has a good view of the ocean and pool. It was very clean and spacious. We had a very good one week stay.
Good place to stay, but condo could use some TLC. Minor issues only. Shower low water pressure, lazy boy broken and kept tipping over, walls have been patched several times, kitchen sink sprayer barely sprayed, and no washer and dryer in your condo. Still had a great week only listed these for the knowledge of the owner.
After 14 months of COVID lockdown, we needed relaxing time in the sun and sand. Great stay.
This was our second visit to El Matador. We love this place.
Robert M.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2021
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Ken H.
3 May 2021
Honeymoon
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
I would like to give you the reasons for my lower rating.1) very low water pressure.2) unit needed painting.3) kitchen pantry door would not shut. I had to fix it myself.4) everything in this unit looked old. This unit really needs a fresh update especially the kitchen plates and glasses5) TV remote did not work very well. You had to push the buttons 812 times to change channels or volume
We stayed at this condo over spring break 2021.
The condo was perfect for my wife and I. Everything was clean and ready-to-go when we arrived. It looks like it had recently been renovated as the furnishings and appliances all seemed new.
Since it was a 1 bedroom, we expected it to be small, but it wasn't at all. The rooms were large and there was plenty of elbow room and storage space.
We loved having breakfast and drinks on the balcony. The view of the gulf is even better than the pictures.
Mark W.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Paul K.
20 Mar 2021
Best view vacation
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great chairs on balcony
Paul K.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Kavin C.
24 July 2020
2020 SUMMER TRIP TO OKALOOSA ISLAND
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
I booked this trip in February and then the world seemed to be turned upside down! Logic thrown out the window and the fear of our trip being cancelled was overwhelming. Our arrival on Saturday and the six days that followed were everything we'd hoped for our the last several months. This trip was to celebrate 25 years of marriage along with our first extended family trip to the beach in years! Hoping to return in 2021 as all family members agree!!!