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 (2011-2016)

 Condé Nast Traveler      

• 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

 Family Vacation Critic

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

 Forbes Travel Guide

• Four- Star Rating (2013-2017)
• “Top 10 Best Beach Escapes” (2013)
• “World’s Top 400 Best Hotels & Resorts”; ForbestTraveler.com (2006)

 The Local Palette

• “Top 20 Hotels” (2015)

Perfect in South Walton Awards 

• Diamond Winner: "Best Hotel/Resort" (2018)
• Grand Champion: “Best Resort" (2017)

30A Hot Spot Awards

• 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- #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

• “Certificate of Excellence” (above 4.0 Rating) (2011-2017)
• "Hall of Fame" winner (2015)

 AAA

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

USA Today

• "#5 Best Waterfron Hotel" in 10Best Readers' Choice Poll (2017)

 U.S. News & World Report

• 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 (2012 – 2014)
• Top 400 Restaurants (2005 & 2006)

 Forbes Travel Guide

• Four- Star Rating (2015 & 2017)

 Open Table

• Diner’s Choice Award (2015 & 2016)

 30A Hot Spot Awards 

• Voted #5 “Hottest Spot for Fine Dining” (2015 & 2016)
• Voted #4 “Hottest Spot for Cocktails” (2015)
• The Gathering Spot- Voted #5 “Hottest Spot for Sushi” (2015)

 TripAdvisor

•  “Certificate of Excellence” (above 4.0 Rating) (2013-2016)

 AAA

• Four-Diamond Rating (2007-2017)

 Perfect in South Walton Awards 

•  “Best Gulf to Table Menu” (2015)
•  “Best Seafood Menu” (2015)
•  “Best Wine List” (2015)

 Wine Spectator

• Award of Excellence (2005-2009; 2014)
• Best Wine List (2015)

The Gathering Spot

30A Hot Spot Awards

• Voted #5 “Hottest Spot for Sushi” (2015)

ConventionSouth Magazine

• 1 of 12 properties in Florida to receive "Top New & Renovated" Award (2018)
• 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 

• Diamond Winner: WaterColor Inn & Reosrt- "Best Meeting Space" (2018)
• Diamond Winner: WaterColor LakeHouse- "Best Event Venue" (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)

WeddingWire

• Couples Choice Award (2014 - 2016)

InnSpa

 Condé Nast Traveler      

• Readers’ Choice- #60 “Best Spas in the World” (2014)

• Readers’ Choice- #19 “Top Spa for North America” (2013)

Perfect in South Walton Awards 

• Platinum Winner: "Best Spa" (2018) 
• Grand Champion: “Best Resort Spa" (2017)

30A Hot Spot Awards

• Voted #3 “Hottest Spot to Get Pampered (Spa, Massage, Weigh-loss)” (2016)

• Voted #4 “Hottest Spot to Get Pampered (Spa, Massage, Weigh-loss)” (2015)

 WaterColor Beach Club

 30A Hot Spot Awards

•  Voted #2 “Hottest Swimming Pool” (2015)