Awards & accolades

Andrew Harper

• Readers’ Choice- #20- “Best Family Resort” (2016)
• Readers’ Choice- #16- “Top 20 Beach Resort” (2013)
• Readers’ Choice- #17- “Favorite Family Resort” (2012)
• Recommended Hotel (2011-2018)
• Andrew Harper's Q-Club "Grand Award Winner (2006)

Condé Nast Traveler     

• Readers' Choice- #12 "Top Resorts in Florida (Statewide)" (2019)
• Readers' Choice- #15 "Top Resorts in Florida (Statewide)" (2018)
• Readers' Choice- #25 "Top Resorts in Florida (Statewide)" (2017)
• Readers’ Choice- #8 “Top Resorts in Florida (Gulf & Central)” (2016)
• Readers’ Choice- #87 “Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World” (2015)
• Readers’ Choice- #1 “Best Resorts in FL (Gulf & Central)” (2014 & 2015)
• Platinum Circle Award (2014)
• Readers’ Choice- #3 “Top 40 Resorts in Florida” (2013)
• Readers’ Choice- #2 “Best Florida Resort” (2012)
• Readers’ Choice- #12 “Top 150 U.S. Resorts” (2011)
• Readers’ Choice- #12 “Best Mainland U.S. Resort” (2011); #37 (2007)
• Gold List Award Winner (2008-2016)- WaterColor Inn & Resort
• Award of Excellence "Most Excellent Resort" (2006) 

 Family Vacation Critic

• Readers’ Choice- “Favorite Hotel” (2015-2017)

Forbes Travel Guide

• Four- Star Rating (2013-2023)
• “Top 10 Best Beach Escapes” (2013)
• “World’s Top 400 Best Hotels & Resorts”; ForbestTraveler.com (2006)

The Local Palette

• “Top 20 Hotels” (2015)

LUXLife Magazine

• “Best Luxury Beach Resort Hotel-Florida" (2021)

Perfect In Walton County Awards 

• Platinum Winner: "Best Hotel/Resort" (2020-2024)
• Diamond Winner: "Best Hotel/Resort" (2018 & 2019)
• Gold Winner: "Best Wedding Venue (2024)
• Diamond Winner: "Best Meeting/Conference Space (2023)
• Golf Winner: "Best Kids Attraction- Camp WaterColor" (2022)
• Gold Winner: "Best Event: Mountainfilm on Tour in WaterColor" (2020)
• Grand Champion: “Best Resort" (2017)

30A Hot Spot Awards

• Voted #2 "Hottest Hotel/Inn" (2024)
• Voted #3 "Hottest Hotel/Inn" (2023)
• Voted #2 “Hottest Hotel” (2015)
• Voted #4 “Hottest Beach to See-And-Be-Seen” (2015)

Southern Living Magazine

• Readers' Choice- #7 "Top 10 Hotels (2017)
• Readers' Choice- "The South's Best Hotel in Florida" (2017)

Travel + Leisure

• Readers' Choice- #18 "World's Best 24 Resorts in the U.S. That Are Perfect for Families" (2020)
• Readers’ Choice- #25 “Top 500 World’s Best Hotel” (2010, 2011, 2014 & 2015)
• Readers’ Choice- #17 “Top Family Hotels in USA”(2014)
• Readers’ Choice- #12 “Top 100 World’s Best Hotels (Continental U.S.) (2009, 2010 & 2013)
• Readers’ Choice- #2 “World’s Best Hotels for Families (Continental U.S.) (2011 & 2013)
• Readers’ Choice- #26 “America’s Best Beach Hotels” (2011)
• Readers’ Choice- “Top 50 Resorts” (U.S./Canada) (2010)
• Readers’ Choice- “Best Hotel in Florida” (2007)
• Readers’ Choice- #1 “Top 50 Best Family Friendly Resorts (U.S./Canada) (2006)

TripAdvisor

• "Traveler's Choice" winner (top 10% of businesses on TA) (2020) (2023)
• “Certificate of Excellence” (above 4.0 Rating) (2011-2017)
• "Hall of Fame" winner (2015)

 AAA

• Four-Diamond Rating (since 2007)
• Inspector's Award for "Best Scenic View" (2018)

USA Today

• "#4 Best Waterfront Hotel" in 10Best Readers' Choice Poll (2018)
• "#5 Best Waterfront Hotel" in 10Best Readers' Choice Poll (2017)

U.S. News & World Report

• Ranked #66 in "Best Florida Hotels (2021)
• "Gold Badge" Received for Scoring in Top 10%; Ranked #28 for "Best Florida Hotels" (2020)
• Ranked #15 for “Best Hotels in FL” (2015)
• Named one of the “Best Hotels in the USA”(2015)
• Ranked #11 for “Best Hotels in FL”(2014)

Virtuoso

• Listed as “World’s Best Hotel Experience” (2013)

Fish Out Of Water

Florida Trend

• Golden Spoon Award "Hall of Fame" (2018-2021)

AAA 

•  Three Diamond Rating (2018-2021)

30A Hot Spot Awards

• Voted #2 "Hottest Spot for Dining with a View" (2024)
• Voted #2 "Hottest Spot for Happy Hour" (2019)

TripAdvisor

•  “Certificate of Excellence” (above 4.0 Rating) (2018-2020) 

ConventionSouth Magazine

• 1 of 40 properties in Florida to receive "Readers' Choice Award" (2018)
• 1 of 12 properties in Florida to receive "Top New & Renovated" Award (2017)
• 1 of 28 properties in Florida to receive “Readers’ Choice Award” (2015 & 2016)

Destinations Weddings & Honeymoon

• “Top 25 Florida Wedding Venues” (2013)

Perfect In South Walton Awards 

• Platinum Winner: WaterColor Inn & Resort- "Best Conference Space" (2021)
• Platinum Winner: WaterColor Inn & Resort- "Best Weding Venue" (2020)
• Diamond Winner: WaterColor Inn & Resort- "Best Conference Space" (2020)
• Platinum Winner: WaterColor Inn & Resort- "Best Meeting Space" (2019)
• Diamond Winner: WaterColor Inn & Resort- "Best Meeting Space" (2018)
• Diamond Winner: WaterColor LakeHouse- "Best Event Venue" (2020 & 2018)
• Grand Champion: WaterColor Inn & Resort- “Best Place for Wedding or Reception" (2017)
• Grand Champion: WaterColor LakeHouse- "Best Large/Formal Event Venue" (2017)

Meetings & Conventions

• Gold Key Winner- “Best Boutique Property in the Southeast” (2016)

MeetingsSouth Magazine

• “Outstanding Meeting Facility Providing Excellence in Service” (2004 & 2006)

30A Hot Spot Awards

• Voted #5 "Hottest Wedding Venue" (2017)
• Voted #4 "Hottest Spot for Weddings" (2015)

WeddingWire

• Couples Choice Award (2014 - 2016)