WaterColor Inn & Resort: A Hidden Gem on Florida’s Emerald Coast

WaterColor Inn & Resort, set right on the sugar-white sands of the Florida Panhandle, is truly a special find for families. The resort is located in the town of WaterColor, one of 16 wonderful beachside neighborhoods along Scenic Highway 30-A, each with its own personality. Parents and kids alike will love the relaxed vibe and friendly service at WaterColor; even better, it offers older children a chance for some independence, as they can explore on their own in this safe community.

Family-Friendly Review of WaterColor Inn & Resort

Accommodations

There are many accommodation options at WaterColor that work for families, from the 67-room inn to beautifully appointed rental homes. We stayed in a Gulf View room with a king bed and pullout sofa bed. The recently renovated rooms marry the laid-back comfort of a classic beach house with the indulgences of a luxury boutique hotel. My favorite design aspect was the windows in the rain shower, which meant I didn’t have to miss the sunset while I showered for dinner.

Beach and Pools

Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent at daily and weekly rates. Reserve in advance during peak season — you can request the front row if you prefer to be as close to the water as possible. There are 10 pools located throughout the resort, each offering a different experience. The family-friendly hotel pool provides a relaxed setting; WaterColor Beach Club boasts three scenic pools along with full food and drink offerings; and Camp WaterColor features three lifeguard-staffed pools (including a lazy river), all with food and beverage service. Additionally, guests can enjoy three more resort pools throughout the property. We practically had the pool at the WaterColor BoatHouse all to ourselves on a busy holiday weekend.

Amenities

Michael, the Lodging Manager, was super helpful during our stay, offering to arrange a family beach bonfire (complete with s’mores), suggesting a favorite local spot for the best grits and helping with anything else we needed. Guests also can play tennis and pickleball onsite.

Dining

Fish Out of Water, the signature restaurant on the property, serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on weekends. It is known for its Gulf-to-table culture; the seafood you order on any given night was most likely swimming that morning. FISH has spectacular views and is among a handful of restaurants on all of 30-A with outdoor dining overlooking the beach.

Gather Kitchen + Bar, a lobby bar and lounge with craft cocktails and small-plate fare that includes sushi rolls, has outdoor seating by the family-friendly pool. The inspiration for the name is obvious — it is a great place for families to hang out by the fire pits in the evening. On top of the casual WaterColor Grill venue at the Beach Club is Costa Chica, one of the best spots for watching the sunset. It also overlooks the Beach Club pool so Mom and Dad can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying a margarita as the sun sinks. And Beach Cow is the place for a quick burger, hot dog or milkshake.

Activities

Resort guests enjoy complimentary use of two adult bicycles per room from the bell stand. Additional rental bikes, trailers and anything else you might need are a short walk away at the Bike Barn. A wonderful bike path passes through several of the charming beachside towns. It’s just a 5-minute ride from WaterColor to the town of Seaside, made famous by the movie The Truman Show.

For serious bikers and hikers, there are more than 200 miles of trails featuring rare coastal dune lakes and animal sightings in the nearby state parks.

The WaterColor BoatHouse, located on beautiful Western Lake, is a short bike ride or 10-minute walk from the inn. Guests receive a complimentary hour of kayaks daily while stand-up paddleboards and lessons are offered at a discounted rate. If you have never tried paddleboarding, the friendly staff is eager to give a lesson or come to your rescue if necessary. Heed the instructors when they tell you not to go out past the buoy, or you may have to call for help.

Near the Resort

Seaside has a great town square anchored by an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts and theater performances. Food trucks line the adjacent street and feature everything from healthy raw foods to “The Great Meltdown,” the best grilled cheese ever (according to my daughter, a self-proclaimed grilled cheese connoisseur).

There is a wonderful farmers’ market on the square on Saturday mornings. We purchased some local honey and learned something in the process. The finest tupelo honey, created by bees that eat the tupelo flower that blooms at a certain time of year, is found in this region. if you like honey, it’s a must-buy!

Getting There

WaterColor is an easy 6-hour drive from Atlanta. There are also many flights into nearby Panama City Beach; the resort is 34 miles from the airport.

Relevant Links:

Browse all ideas for family beach vacations on Ciao Bambino

An insider’s guide to the best family beaches in Florida

Best family beach vacations for kids at every age

Favorite family spring break getaways in the Southeast

Editor’s Note: Ciao Bambino received a media package in order to review WaterColor Inn & Resort for families. As always, our opinions are our own.