A vacation spent along Florida’s famous Scenic Highway 30A is truly an escape – the area is blessed with beautiful white sand beaches, idyllic beach towns and an abundance of preserved natural areas, with walking and biking paths (not to mention a Scenic America-designated National Scenic Byway) connecting them all. What visitors and locals love most about this stretch of coast is the opportunity to unplug and unwind, and what makes it such an ideal vacation destination is the ease of doing just that!
While the majority of rentals in the area are houses, townhouses and condos, for those who’d truly like to take a break and let front desk personnel and professional hospitality staff onsite ensure a successful stay, the St. Joe Company will soon offer five unique inns and hotels to choose from. Each offers its own advantages in terms of location and amenities, but all provide an elevated hospitality experience that makes your stay a true vacation.
The Pearl Hotel
63 Main St. | Rosemary Beach
The Pearl Hotel’s commitment to excellence and luxury is reflected in an intimate setting where patrons are offered respite and calm alongside breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the town of Rosemary Beach. Visitors can unwind at the hotel’s Spa Pearl, where they’ll enjoy signature body treatments and massages delivered at four private poolside treatment rooms.
For a spectacular culinary experience, claim a table at Havana Beach Bar & Grill, the hotel’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. The chef-driven, seasonal menu is a fusion of Gulf Coast and Caribbean cuisine and can be enjoyed in the colorful, Cuban-inspired dining room, on the veranda, in the lounge, or on the rooftop. The ultimate getaway for couples looking for luxury, the Pearl also offers amenities including a private beach with complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, valet parking, sparkling wine at check-in, use of bicycles, signature bath amenities, an adults-only outdoor pool with towels and food service, as well as snacks and a departure gift.
WaterColor Inn® & Resort
34 Goldenrod Circle | WaterColor
Families love WaterColor Inn & Resort, where 10 pools, multiple dining options, beachfront rooms and newly created family suites offer everything one could want to keep the entire group happy and occupied. WaterColor Inn is a Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond hotel whose amenities leave little room to wonder why it has won so many awards. Dining options include casual coastal cuisine at Fish Out of Water and WaterColor Grill, burgers and shakes at the Beach Cow® counter-service restaurant, a twist on Baha-Mexican fare at Costa Chica, snacks and camp-inspired faves at The Canteen, and an elevated international take on bar food served inside or poolside at Gather Kitchen + Bar. Guests enjoy access to WaterColor Beach Club and its amenities, including three pools, as well as Camp WaterColor, which boasts two pools with slides in addition to a lazy river, playground and basketball court. Other perks include complimentary house-made biscotti and assorted fruits upon arrival; complimentary adult bicycle rental; access to the cardio fitness room; guest floor treat suites including complimentary sodas, ice cream, coffee, snacks and more; a beach bag for use during your stay; housekeeping services offered twice a day (including a nightly evening service with freshly baked treats); and a departure gift.
Camp Creek InnSM (Coming Soon!)
684 Fazio Dr. | Watersound
Perfect for the golf enthusiast, the soon-to-be-completed Camp Creek Inn is a 75-room boutique hotel that offers guests a “Club Member for the Day” experience, including access to private Watersound ClubSM amenities, such as health, wellness and recreational facilities at Camp Creek, Watersound Beach ClubSM amenities and Shark’s Tooth and Camp Creek golf courses. The ground floor is devoted to a golf pro shop and the dining venues ANR and 1936, while guest rooms are located on the second and third floors. Nestled between the Camp Creek® Golf Course and the Watersound Club Wellness Center at Camp Creek, the inn offers rooms with views overlooking the golf course, making it the perfect place to stay when your mind is on the green. Thanks to all the Watersound Club amenities, the inn is also a great wellness retreat for anyone looking to relax and recharge while enjoying a taste of the Watersound Club Membership experience.
The Lodge 30A (New!)
4271 E. County Hwy 30A | Seagrove Beach
Inspired by the beauty of its natural surroundings and with a trailhead leading into the adjacent 15,000-acre Point Washington State Forest, The Lodge 30A is a nature lover’s dream destination. The location along Scenic Highway 30A provides an ideal basecamp for biking along the paved Timpoochee Trail to explore nearby state parks, coastal dune lakes, and beaches. Guests of the hotel have the option to enjoy Watersound Beach ClubSM amenities and private championship golf courses. Onsite, they may enjoy use of a fitness center and a beautiful outdoor pool. In the spirit of respect for the environment, the hotel employs green practices wherever possible including four electric car-charging stations, energy maintenance systems in all guest rooms, hotel-wide recycling, and the incorporation of natural elements and natural lighting throughout the property. Guests will also enjoy proximity to the Greenway Station shopping and dining options currently under construction.
WaterSoundSM Inn
6652 E. County Hwy 30A | Watersound Beach
Ideal for enjoying a private family escape, a WaterSound Inn vacation offers a home-away-from-home experience with the luxury of resort. Located in the famed Gatehouse building overlooking the WaterSound Beach community, the inn boasts a contemporary Nantucket-style design and decor with 11 condo-sized suites offering comfortable furnishings, private balconies, laundry, and a full kitchen. With picturesque views from the second and third floors, the inn also extends guests access to the Watersound Beach Club amenities and its 7,000-square-foot, zero-entry pool, dining venues, al fresco bar, beach access and complimentary beach setup. WaterSound Inn guests also enjoy access to the WaterSound Beach fitness center, and private Watersound ClubSM golf courses, including Camp Creek® and Shark’s Tooth golf courses.
Details included in this story were accurate at time of publication but are subject to change based on seasonal schedules, amenity and/or operational updates. For the most current information, please visit the respective property’s website.
