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WaterColorA Southern Coastal LandscapeBy Carol Muse Evans
This beautiful resort is located between the famed Seaside community and Grayton Beach State Park, on Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A. Easily accessed by car from many areas of the Southeast, the resort has retained much of the natural beauty of the area, including the sand dunes, sea grasses and wind-sculpted oak groves. While simple beach cottages have long been a favorite among families that come time and again to this area, as compared to the more “touristy” towns nearby, WaterColor is in keeping with that theme, while creating something unique and all its own. Renowned architect David Rockwell designed Watercolor in a contemporary, casual “cracker” style – a combination of an upscale inn, condominiums and individual homes all along the Emerald Coastline and across the street from the beautiful beaches – and WaterColor offers visitors a number of choices, all filled with the old-style warmth and Southern hospitality this area of Florida has become known for. In fact, WaterColor essentially offers its own community in a natural beach setting, complete with exercise center, beach club, retail shops and several restaurants in its Town Center, including a 220-acre coastal dune lake, the lovely Cerulean Park and hiking and biking paths throughout the entire community of WaterColor.
If you need a bit more space to spread out, consider renting one of WaterColor’s one, two, three and four bedroom condominiums or cottages within the WaterColor community, some on the beach, with beach views or just a short walk from the beach.
Cerulean Park, which links WaterColor and the lake area, offers a beautiful retreat, complete with whimsical benches, coastal dune plant life and a green for playing or enjoying the day with a picnic.
IF YOU GO….The WaterColor Inn The Neighborhoods of WaterColor |
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WaterColor, a
“Southern Landscape,” offers upscale luxury on the Gulf Coast reminiscent of
the family vacations of yesteryear, complete with top-notch accommodations,
gourmet restaurants, breathtaking, natural scenery and more.
The
WaterColor Inn opened in Spring 2003. It is a boutique-style hotel featuring
60 rooms, a gulf-front pool deck and 5,000 square feet of meeting space. Inn
visitors are treated to a complimentary breakfast each morning in the
lounge, and the resort features an outstanding gourmet restaurant, Fish Out
of Water, where you can eat indoors or on the patio, Gulf side. Also within
the Inn’s confines is a lovely, well-equipped library, cocktail bar and gift
shop. Described by some as “very French Rivera,” guestrooms at the Inn offer
beautiful views of the Gulf and beach from generous balconies.
Next door is the
BeachClub, offering yet another lap pool and children’s pool, including a
grill-style restaurant where you can eat in or have your food while lounging
around the pool. Towels here are complimentary, as are Boogie Boards,
kayaks, snorkel and even beach volleyball equipment.
Among
other activities at WaterColor besides enjoying the beach are tennis on the
Har-Tru courts, the Western Lake, the BoatHouse, offering canoes, Kayaks,
bikes and sailboats for rent. Many visitors – particularly families – will
enjoy renting bikes and riding all around the WaterColor area and into
neighboring Seaside. WaterColor even offers a children’s program with
children’s activities.
Whether you need a
retreat for yourself, your family, or a great couples getaway, meeting place
or even a honeymoon destination, WaterColor has something for everyone and
offers numerous packages to accommodate visitors’ needs.