WaterColor: A Coastal Landscape
By Gwen Morrison

There’s a new, chic coastal resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf of Mexico and it’s making waves. Now open on Scenic Highway 30-A, at Seagrove Beach just west of Seaside, is the Watercolor Inn. Bringing even more charm to a beautiful stretch of shoreline, the Watercolor Inn is filled with a unique style and charisma that will have visitors scrambling for a room at the Inn.

Designed by the renowned architect David Rockwell designed the Inn to blend into its natural setting – and he has accomplished that and so much more. The colorful hues, soft subtle blues and greens complimented by sunny yellows, are everywhere, giving the Inn a distinct feeling of calm and tranquility at every turn.

Nestled in the dunes, the Inn features a backdrop of one of the most incredible beaches and outstanding sunsets anywhere in the world. The sugary white sands, warm coastal breezes and deep orange night skies provide the perfect setting for couples on their honeymoon or families looking for an escape the everyday.

All 60 rooms are equipped with a view of the spectacular beach, private balcony or patio, king bed with queen sleeper sofa, ceiling fans, mini-bar and coffee maker. The picturesque scenery that is just beyond each guest room can be seen not only from the comfort of the Adirondack chairs on each balcony or patio but from each room’s large walk-in showers. High windows are actually set in the tile to allow you to soak up the magnificent view while showering. There are also six ground-floor rooms that face the dunes featuring unique canvas-enclosed outdoor showers

Developed by St. Joe Hospitality and operated by Arvida, the WaterColor Inn boasts a fully equipped workout facility, library with Internet access, game table, beautiful gulf-front poll deck with heated swimming pool and hot tub, beach-front chair and umbrella rentals and several restaurants. The moment you enter into the lobby of the Inn, you will sense the transformation. An overall feeling of casual elegance combined with warmth and hospitality is evident by the décor. The game table that sits in the center of the circular room just beyond the reception desk makes you feel like you’ve just come away to your personal cottage – and all your friends are waiting for you to jump into the game. The sea is visible through the large glass doors that lead to the pool deck. Here you can pull up a lounge chair and escape into your favorite book or sip on a cool cocktail.

Fish Out of Water, a 4,500 square foot restaurant, offers a dining experience will set your taste buds dancing. Having spent a few hours in the car driving to WaterColor, I was ready for a relaxing dinner – and I was not disappointed. Featuring an extensive list of seafood cuisine, and other delicacies like the outstanding Skilled Seared Filet Mignon that I ordered. Located on the second floor of the Inn, complete with a view of the Gulf, Fish Out of Water celebrates every detail of the meal, from the wonderful unique salads and array of fine wines to the freshest local fish and meats.

There is a gulf-front BeachClub with a children’s pool, a lakefront BoatHouse that offers sailboats, canoes, kayaks, bikes, fishing and other activities for the children. The Town Center is lined with neighborhood shops, outdoor café with a spectacular fountain and clock tower, an ice-cream shop, a gallery, and more. Designed for walkers and bicyclists to get around, the downtown area is charming and colorful while keeping the cultural influences that have been so important to this area of Florida for so long.

The cottages that line the streets around the nearby Inn, add a distinct feeling of southern charm and leave you with a feeling that you’ve stayed at your favorite beachside cottage – but so much better. The one, two, three and four bedroom cottages situated within the WaterColor community are fully equipped with all the amenities and fine details you would expect from this southern resort. From the fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchens to the screened-in front porch and deck with Adirondack chairs, the cottages are authentic to the style that makes it such a special and unique location. The large bedrooms and oversized bathrooms allow families to enjoy the space and privacy of a cottage, while sampling the luxuries that are uniquely WaterColor.

After my three-day stay at WaterColor, where I did get a chance to feel the softness of that infamous powdery white sand beneath my feet, I had the feeling that there was so much more to see. Next time I visit, I will be sure to rent a bike and tour the area. A photographer’s paradise day or night, WaterColor and Seagrove Beach are a must for anyone traveling to the coast of Florida this year. It’s well worth the trip.