Watercolor Inn Romances the Beach
By Kathie Farnell
Photos by Jack Purser Jr. 

The Florida panhandle has in the last decade become a magnet for travelers looking for plush accommodations in harmony with nature. Some of the plushest can be found on Scenic Highway 30-A at WaterColor, a 499-acre resort whose Inn has been a byword for luxury since its Spring 2002 opening. Tucked among the sugar-white dunes fronting the Gulf of Mexico, the 60-room boutique hotel was designed by Interiors magazine’s 1999 Designer of the Year, David Rockwell. All rooms have beach views, private balconies or patios, king-sized beds, ceiling fans, a mini-bar and coffee maker. A deluxe continental breakfast (which during my stay included everything from ham to fruit to smoked fish to cheese to blueberry muffins) is included in the room rate.

Patrick Brewer, Watercolor’s wedding coordinator, notes that the resort’s diversity of locations for the ceremony and reception makes it appealing to brides. The poolside area is a popular choice, and in winter the BaitHouse restaurant is available for receptions. The Inn’s Rotunda suites, which feature a wall of windows overlooking the pool, offer a stunning, spacious retreat for the bride—especially the top-floor Rotunda King with its 15-foot ceilings. The resort is also popular for pre-wedding festivities. A recent article in Southern Living Weddings magazine profiled a bevy of bachelorettes who joined the bride-elect at the Inn for a weekend of intensive lolling.

The resort is also attractive to honeymooners looking for an intimate beachfront setting. In addition to the Inn, lodging choices include luxury cottages and one-or two-bedroom condo units. Amenities at Watercolor include the Market in the Town Center area, which has great coffee and pastries, a deli and upscale groceries, as well as a good wine selection.

Watercolor’s beachfront restaurant, Fish Out of Water, has now expanded its sushi bar area, while the dining room continues to offer exciting entrees. We enjoyed pan roasted black grouper and a skillet seared filet mignon. Desserts are spectacular; we checked out the Chocolate Symphony, the chef’s special creation featuring chocolate in a variety of seductive guises.

Other dining options include the Market’s deli and the Beach Club which serves food seasonally around the pool; the resort’s BaitHouse, with a beautiful view of Western Lake, is open seasonally, serving family fare including Po’Boys, oysters and other regional favorites. We enjoyed the calamari and grilled salmon. Desserts are downhome and include strawberry shortcake.

Cerulean Park, the resort’s central gathering place, features a koi pond and tree house and is a popular spot for picnics. The gardens there include butterfly host plants along a narrow canal which connects with the pond at the south end of the Park.

Watercolor’s recreational offerings include canoes, kayaks and bikes available from the BoatHouse. There’s an extensive woodland trail system on the property and Walton County’s C-30A Bicycle Trail provides access to nearby state parks. Grayton Beach State Recreation Area, right next door, offers an ideal opportunity for exploring a stretch of unspoiled Panhandle complete with towering dunes and secluded lakes.

If you prefer your recreation indoors, Watercolor Workout, located next to the Beach Club, is open to the public. Monthly or daily passes are available. The facility offers Techno gym strength-training equipment as well as weight and cardio machines. Classes are available in fitness, yoga, pilates and Tai Chi.

Other recreational possibilities abound up and down 30-A. The Tom Fazio-designed Camp Creek Golf Club, located six miles from Watercolor, offers priority tee times to resort guests. Camp Creek, accented by an ominous-sounding “significant wetland system,” is a par-72 championship course with a driving range, putting green, short game area, pro shop and snack bar.

For a romantic dinner, check out Criolla’s, a couple of miles west of Watercolor on Highway 30-A. This intimate dining spot has earned a loyal following for its artful preparation of fresh seafood. When we visited, soft shell crabs were in season, delivered fresh daily to the restaurant from a local supplier. We also enjoyed Criolla’s take on Caesar salad, featuring thin slices of Parmesan and pumpkinseeds. Desserts included a Key Lime cheesecake with mango sorbet.

Fall may be the perfect time to visit the Florida panhandle beaches; the crowds evaporate after Labor Day and the weather turns cooler and breezy. During autumn, visitors to the area can take in film festivals, wine and food tastings, and a variety of nature-oriented events.

For information on Watercolor rates and reservations, call 1-866-426-2656 or check the website at www.watercolorflorida.com. For wedding information, contact Patrick Brewer at patrick_brewer@arvida.com or 1-800-413-2099. For information on area attractions, check the Beaches of South Walton website at www.beachesofsouthwalton.com

Kathie Farnell and Jack Purser are based in Alabama and have been doing travel writing and photography since the early 90s. Their favorite topics include nature travel, romantic destinations, weekend getaways and offbeat topics. They both come from a legal background; Jack was an attorney for the US Department of Agriculture, and Kathie founded Farnell Legal Research. Kathie also produces programming for public television and radio. kfarnel@gulftel.com, www.artemismedia.org