WaterColor Inn FAQs

What are WaterColor Inn’s check-in and check-out times?
WaterColor Inn’s check-in time is 4 p.m. While an early check-in may be requested, it cannot be guaranteed. Should you arrive early and your room becomes available before 4 p.m., the Concierge will send you a SMS text to notify you that your room is ready. In the meantime, our Guest Services team can assist you with Valet Parking and Luggage Storage. You will also be given full Resort Access upon your arrival to enjoy our amenities at your leisure while you wait. As well, the Inn Lobby and Beach Club restrooms are available for changing into your beach/pool clothes as needed.

Check-out time is 11 a.m. You will have full Resort Access for the entire day of your departure. Our Guest Services team can assist with Luggage Storage as needed.

Where is parking for WaterColor Inn?
As our guest, you will have the choice between valet or self-parking (both complimentary) in our secure parking lot located in front of WaterColor Inn. You will receive a hotel parking pass during check-in to place on your vehicle’s dashboard.  Paid parking spots are available throughout the WaterColor resort and is managed by the WaterColor Community Association.  You can also utilize the complimentary trolley stops (available seasonally) or request a pickup or drop-off to Camp WaterColor through the WaterColor Guest Services team at the Front Desk.

Does WaterColor Inn provide shuttle service?
No, but we do recommend several local shuttle and taxi services for airport transportation and for getting around the town. Please contact our Concierge at wciconcierge@stjoe.com for more information. Car rental services are also available at area airports. Please note that Uber and Lyft ride-shares are limited in the 30A area.

 What is the WaterColor Trolley?
The WaterColor Multi-Passenger Trolley offers convenient transportation for guests throughout the WaterColor Resort community. Trolley service is available daily, from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, during peak season (April - Labor Day).  The trolley will stop at specific destinations throughout the resort,including WaterColor BoatHouse and Camp WaterColor; it requires guests to adhere to all road safety standards, including wearing seatbelts. Open beverages are prohibited while riding on the trolley and children 5 and under are required to be in a self-provided and properly-secured child restraint device as required by Florida law.  This complimentary service is provided by the WaterColor Community Association.

View WaterColor Trolley Map.

Can I rent a golf cart at WaterColor Inn?
You may rent a golf cart directly from the Electric Cart Company, the exclusive vendor for LSVs within the WaterColor Community. These can be parked overnight at WaterColor Inn (we have two designated parking spots with charging outlets). Any other rental company LSVs parked on property will be towed. Please note: there is a limit of 80 LSVs allowed for rental. If that limit is met, no additional golf carts may be rented. As such, we recommend that you book your cart(s) with as much notice as possible.
 

Is WaterColor Inn ADA accessible?
Yes. ADA accessible rooms are located on every floor with elevator access. Pool Lifts are also available and ready for guests’ use upon their request. For guests needing ramp access down to the beach, the Van Ness Butler Public Beach Access, located on the eastern edge of WaterColor is ADA accessible, as well as the Western boardwalk located adjacent to the WaterColor Beach Club.

Does WaterColor Inn offer complimentary WiFi?
Yes. As our guest, you will have complimentary WiFi in your room as well as throughout the resort. Once you’ve checked into your room, you will be asked to log onto the WaterColor Inn Guest Network and register with your last name and room number to connect to the internet. You may also choose a secondary option with a capped network speed that will not require a last name or room number.

Does WaterColor Inn offer pack-and-plays or cribs?
While WaterColor Inn does not keep pack-and-plays or cribs on-site, our Concierge team can provide you with contact information for local rental companies that will deliver this equipment to your room.

Does WaterColor Inn provide daily housekeeping services?
Yes. Housekeeping services are provided daily. In the evening, our Housekeeping team also delivers our signature fresh-baked cookies to your room to help close out a special day. While housekeeping services are usually provided until 7 p.m., you may request additional supplies; such as, towels, toiletries, coffee pods, etc. at any time during your stay by contacting our Concierge team.

What are "Treat Suites"? 
Treat Suites are guest amenity rooms that are stocked with complimentary snacks and treats, such as freshly ground coffee, hot cocoa, fresh fruit, soft drinks, popcorn, ice cream snacks and more.  These rooms are accessed with your room key card and are available 24 hours a day for all WaterColor Inn guests to enjoy.  Treat Suites are located outside the elevator on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.

What special amenities can be delivered to my room before arriving?
Prior to your arrival, you may request an Amenity Order Form from our Concierge team to order a special treat to be waiting in the room upon your arrival or delivered at a specific time. Options include chocolate-covered strawberries, bottles of wine, fruit-and-cheese platters and other selections made for all celebratory occasions. Please contact our Concierge at wciconcierge@stjoe.com to request the Amenity Request form.

Can meals at WaterColor Inn be charged to my room during my stay?
Yes. You may charge any meal within our Resort to your room by providing your last name and room number. Resort dining options include Room Service, Fish Out of Water, WaterColor Grill, Costa Chica, Beach Cow, The Canteen and Scratch Biscuit Kitchen. For a full list of WaterColor Inn dining options, click here.
 

How many pools does WaterColor Inn have?

WaterColor Inn guests have access to 10 resort pools within the WaterColor Community: 

• WaterColor Inn
  • Family-friendly 2,800 sq. ft. pool
• WaterColor Beach Club
  • Main pool with expanded seating and lounge areas, including private cabana rentals
  • Second infinity pool with lounge seating (adults only)
  • Third shallow pool on lower deck with zero-entry (ideal for younger children)
• Camp WaterColor (lifeguards on duty)
  • Main Butterfly Pool with Monarch Slide
  • Catepillar Pool (zero-entry, children's area with Skipper Slide)
  • Lazy Lizard Pool (zero-entry, lazy river)
• WaterColor Resort pools (LakeHouse, Sand Hill, Dragonfly)

Are WaterColor Inn’s pools heated?
Yes. All of the pools in the WaterColor community are heated year-round based upon outdoor conditions and temperatures for guests’ enjoyment

Does WaterColor Inn provide pool/beach towels?
Yes. Complimentary beach towels are provided to WaterColor Inn guests at the hotel's pool deck, the WaterColor Beach Club entrace gate, or at Camp WaterColor.  We ask that you kindly return your towels to one of the many desginated towel return bins. 
 

Does WaterColor Inn provide beach setups?
Beach setups are available for a daily fee (hotel guests received a discounted rate). Setups include two canvas chairs and a large shady umbrella. We advise that you reserve your beach setups in advance of your stay, especially during busier time periods. For your convenience, beach setups can be reserved through our beach setup reservations line at 1-888-775-2473 or online here. Beach setups must be cancelled prior to 48 hours from start of the setup reservations; no refunds are provided for inclement weather.  If advance beach setup reservations are sold out for your requested dates, guests can reserve a beach setup each morning directly at the end of the West Boardwalk beginning at 9 a.m. (first-come, first-served basis).

What beach access do WaterColor Inn guests have?
With 80 miles of impeccable beaches winding along the Gulf of Mexico, Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast is one of the country’s most beautiful vacation destinations, and WaterColor Inn is the quintessential 30A beachfront hotel destination. As a guest, you’ll enjoy a variety of beach access points, including an ADA accessible ramp at the Van Ness Butler Public Beach Access, located on the eastern edge of WaterColor. For more beach information, click here.

Are beach bonfires allowed at WaterColor Inn?
Beach Bonfire packages may be booked through WaterColor Inn with a 48-hour notice. Beach Bonfire setups include two hours of bonfire fun for up to 30 guests, including beach chairs, s’mores and bottled waters. Bonfires take place on the beach behind WaterColor Beach Club and WaterColor Inn. Click here for more information or contact WCBonfires@StJoe.com. 

Where can I stay up to date on area beach rules and safety?
For information on beach safety in South Walton, click here.
 

Where is morning coffee and hot tea served?
WaterColor Inn guests can start their day with a complimentary fresh-brewed coffee bar daily, from 5 - 11 AM, at Gather Kitchen + Bar (located adjacent to the main lobby).  Hot tea with fresh mint leaves and lemons is also available, along with a selection of 30A coffee table books for guests to relax and enjoy in the lounge.   

Does WaterColor Inn have a gym?
Guest have access to our Cardio Room, located by the Lobby near the Inn Pool entrance. The Cardio Room is accessible 24/7 (your room key is required to enter).

Does WaterColor Inn have a spa?
No, but many of our guests visit Spa Pearl in nearby Rosemary Beach at our sister resort, The Pearl Hotel. There are also a variety of nail and hair salons in the area, with which our Guest Services team can connect you.

Does WaterColor Inn offer bikes?
Yes. You have access to two (2) complimentary adult bicycles. These can be checked out from our Guest Services team at any time upon your request. We encourage you to enjoy the wonderful biking trails located near the Western Lake/WaterColor BoatHouse area. Should you need more information on trails, please don’t hesitate to ask the Front Desk.  Children's bike rentals or specialty equipment may be rented on-site at the WaterColor Bike Barn located near the WaterColor Boathouse or you may contact our Concierge team for information to rent them in advance and delivered to the hotel.  

Does WaterColor Inn offer kayaks?
Yes. You have access to one hour of complimentary kayaks at our nearby Watercolor BoatHouse. Please contact the BoatHouse Paddle Club at (850) 419-6188 with your preferred date/time. The BoatHouse also offers standup paddleboarding rentals at discounted rates for hotel guests.  Fitness classes and guide ecotours are also available (sign-up required).

Are there nearby hiking trails?
Of course! Nestled within 500 acres of sugar-white sand beach and surrounded by pine forests alongside Western Lake – a rare coastal dune lake – you’ll find plenty of beautiful natural trails to explore nearby. Click here to see our roundup of some of our favorite nearby natural sights. You’ll also find trails outside of the WaterColor community, too. Click here to explore more. 

Does WaterColor Inn have a nearby grocery store?
There is a Publix supermarket within the WaterColor community, located at WaterColor Crossings (approximately 1.25 miles from WaterColor Inn). Publix also offers Instacart delivery, making it easy for your groceries to be delivered directly to the hotel, where our Guest Services team can bring them up to your room (each room has a mini fridge for your convenience). 

Another nearby option includes Modica Market, a New York-style grocer located in the town plaza (located in Seaside, 0.5 miles east of WaterColor Inn). Additionally, our FOOW Package Store (located directly below our FOOW restaurant) offers an extensive selection of local craft beers, wines and liquors.