Don’t let its idyllic aesthetic and “World’s Best” rankings deter you from making The Pearl Hotel your next family vacation destination. Centrally tucked within the charming coastal community of Rosemary Beach® and just footsteps away from South Walton’s sugar-white beaches, The Pearl provides a treasure trove of gem-like experiences meant to be shared with the whole family.
Spend the day lounging on the beach, thanks to the convenience of complimentary beach setups, including beach chairs and oversized umbrella’s on The Pearl’s stretch of private beach. Whether you soak up the sun, play in the surf or build a sandcastle by the shore is entirely up to you. Rather swim in or lounge by the pool? Family pool passes are available at the Front Desk, granting you access to Rosemary Beach®’s community pools. With four fantastic ones to choose from (Coquina, Sky, Cabana and Barbados), your challenge will be making time to experience them all!
Explore the area by foot or by bike, with a leisurely stroll or bike ride through Rosemary Beach®, or – if you’re feeling more athletic – explore part or all of the scenic, 18.6-mile 30A Bike Trail through South Walton’s coastal dune lakes and communities. Along the way, soak up some of the area’s various family-friendly dining experiences, shops and photo-perfect spots – and be sure to save ample time for boutique-browsing and window-shopping along the distinct, independent shops that dot the Rosemary Beach Town Center, just steps away from the hotel.
Give the kiddos the ultimate delight with a visit to one of our area’s lovely butterfly gardens! You’ll find our closest butterfly garden on nearby West Kingston Road. Wind through the wooden footpath through a maze of colorful plants that attract thousands of beautiful butterflies. The kids won’t be the only ones oohing and aahing.
Feeling extra adventurous? Allow The Pearl to help arrange a sailing, biking, kayaking or deep-sea fishing excursion for your family. Turn it into an educational opportunity with an eco-tour to learn more about the area’s unique environment and history. Add an element of competition to your family getaway with a match of tennis, thanks to complimentary guest access to the Watersound Beach Club’s tennis facilities, or try your hand (or rather, foot!) at FootGolf (a combination of golf and soccer) at the Origins Golf Club, also available to guests of The Pearl Hotel.
When hunger calls, you’ll surely find something to satisfy every palate at Havana Beach Bar & Grill, which offers three distinct casual dining experiences suitable for families (in the main dining room, on the veranda and on the Havana Beach Rooftop); the menu is also conveniently available in-room. And certainly, you’ll also find an array of options outside the hotel doors with several Rosemary Beach® restaurants, coffee shops and treats located just a quick walk away.
However your family plans to enjoy their stay at The Pearl Hotel, it will undoubtedly be an unforgettable one – one meant to be slowly unpacked and lovingly shared.
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To learn more about The Pearl, find special offers or book your stay, visit the hotel online, or follow along on Instagram or Facebook for inspiration.
The past year has taught us to not take even the smallest pleasures for granted and assured us that there’s no better place to be than surrounded by loved ones in a place we love. As the world opens up and travel slowly resumes its pace, popular vacation times are now more popular than ever – and spring 2022 is already gearing up to be a very desirable time to visit our beautiful sugar-white beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. That’s why our Spring Pre-Sale offers are your best chance yet to book your worry-free spring 2022 stay.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy some family beach time at WaterColor Inn; relax by the adults-only pool at The Pearl Hotel; or experience a home-away-from-home experience at WaterSound Inn, the Spring Pre-Sale is your best bet for ensuring your spring vacation doesn’t get away! Let us tell you why…
Enjoy the Season’s Lowest Rates
By booking early, you’ll lock in the lowest rates of the season – guaranteed! Book your stay by Sept. 30, 2021 and enjoy up to 25% off your spring stay, between March 1 and May 25, 2022*. Those are major savings, leaving you with the opportunity to spend on other travel costs or vacation essentials
Stay Longer, Save More
Better yet, the longer you stay, the more you’ll save off our standard rates. Stay three nights and receive 20% off standard rates; stay four nights and your savings jump up to 25% off. Now that’s a major offer you won’t want to miss out on!
Have Peace-of-Mind
Booking your spring vacation early means you won’t risk missing out on your chance to visit. Keep in mind that WaterColor Inn, The Pearl Hotel and WaterSound Inn are all small, boutique properties, so selling out – especially in the spring and summer months – is almost always likely.
Don’t Worry About Your Reservation
We understand that things happen, and vacation plans can change. Our Spring Pre-Sale offers have a two-week cancellation policy, meaning you won’t have to worry should your plans change last-minute.
Celebrate Early
Knowing you have a spring beach vacation to look forward to – and with tremendous savings to boot! – is sure to make the winter months a bit more bearable, don’t you think?
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So, what are you waiting for? Get booking – and we’ll see you this spring!
*Blackout dates apply; other restrictions may apply. For full offer details, visit the respective hotel’s website and click “Offers.”
Whether you’ve visited Northwest Florida once or dozens of times, you’ve likely encountered locals’ favorite activities: standup paddle boarding (SUP). And the BoatHouse Paddle Club at the WaterColor BoatHouse offers guests the opportunity to experience SUP first-hand, as they explore Western Lake, one of South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes. Aside from being a distinctly fun activity, its low-impact nature makes SUP suitable for all ages – and offers the chance to explore WaterColor’s natural beauty from a unique vantage point.
We sat down with Tom Losee, Owner & Founder of RUN/SUP – BoatHouse Paddle Club to learn more about what makes SUP one of WaterColor’s favorite activities.
SJH: How would you describe SUP to someone who has never experienced it before?
TL: I would say it’s just like the name implies: stand-up paddling. If you have ever experienced any other type of paddle sport, you will immediately appreciate the perspective you get when stand-up paddling….you can see a lot more from that vantage point, especially when paddling the clear waters of the Gulf. You have the opportunity to witness an abundance of marine life that you might have missed if you were just sitting down. It’s easy to learn and enjoy from your very first time. Just make sure you try it first in calm water – just like we have on Western Lake at the WaterColor Boathouse.
SJH: What makes SUP so fun?
TL: It is easy to learn and there are so many ways to enjoy it – from casual paddling to racing, from flat water to riding as big of a wave as you are comfortable riding. Even better, it’s a sport that can be enjoyed with friends and family.
SJH: Why do you think SUP has become such an iconic South Walton activity?
TL: Definitely because of the variety and scenery that our local waters provide. Our area is ideal for SUP’ing. Our coastal dune lakes offer consistent flat-water, which is ideal for learning. We also have many locations from which you can easily launch your board – not just coastal dune lakes but also, with the right conditions, the gulf and the bay as well.
SJH: Do you have any favorite SUP memories?
TL: There are many, as I have been fortunate to paddle in many locations all over the world. I can still remember the first time I ever stand-up paddled, and it was from the dock at the WaterColor Boathouse – nearly 15 years ago!
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The BoatHouse Paddle Club at WaterColor BoatHouse offers rentals, lessons, tours and merchandise seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (seasonal hours may vary). Click here for more information and pricing, or call (850) 419-6188. Happy paddling!
We think Mother Nature is pretty grand, and – call us biased but – we think she shines brightest on Northwest Florida, where the cotton-candy sunsets kiss the turquoise water and sugar-white sand of our iconic beaches and where coastal dune lakes meet lush pine forests. What can we say? We think South Walton is pretty dreamy. To ensure you, too, take a moment to relish in its natural beauty, we’ve rounded up five local natural sights we think you should absolutely see – in no particular order.
Western Lake
South Walton is home to 15 of some of the rarest and most spectacular natural wonders: coastal dune lakes, shallow basins of fresh water created when winds redistribute sand over thousands of years – within feet from the Gulf of Mexico. Aside from being beautiful, coastal dune lakes create unique and nutrient-filled ecosystems, making them ideal habitats for an array of wildlife.
Western Lake is the second-largest and, perhaps, the most popular coastal dune lake in South Walton. Get up close and personal with it by canoeing, kayaking or standup paddle boarding along. All are available to rent seasonally from the WaterColor BoatHouse. WaterColor Inn guests have access to use of these rentals for one hour each day. Kayaking adventure tours around Western Lake are also available and offer a great way to learn more about these beautiful natural rarities.
Deer Lake State Park
Take a hike on the wild side and see 11 distinct ecosystems in one park. Located within close proximity of WaterColor Inn, Deer Lake State Park – named after, you guessed it, Deer Lake (another coastal dune lake) – beautifully boasts magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrod and scrub oaks. Walk across the dunes atop the boardwalk to access the beach and enjoy an idyllic picnic, take a mid-day swim or cast a line from the shore.
Watersound Trail
Walk or bike your way through nature on the Watersound Trail, which can be accessed at Village Commons in Watersound Origins . The five-mile trail winds through a slash pine plantation, along which you’re sure to see cypress domes, wetland areas and plenty of wildlife evidence – all among South Walton’s many wonders. The trail is flat and paved, mixed with hard ground and some sandy, hilly areas; it’s clearly marked and open sunrise to sunset for ultimate enjoyment.
Sugar-White Sand
Our sugar-white beaches may seem like an obvious must-see choice, but surely, they cannot be taken for granted. Small quartz particles, pulverized and washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over thousands of years, that give the area’s sand its distinct crystal-like appearance. How’s that for all-natural beauty? Along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, our fine sand glistens and seems to sing under your feet as you head down to the shore (we wouldn’t have it any other way). And of course, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beach: from sunbathing and swimming, to beach bonfires and beachside dining, you’re sure to find plentiful ways to be enchanted by it.
The Gulf of Mexico
Did you know that the body of emerald-green water that provides the backdrop to our iconic sugar-white beaches is the largest gulf in the world and the 10th largest body of water in the world? Its ample surface area and depth make it a powerfully biodiverse ecosystem, which includes coastal wetlands, submerged vegetation, important upland areas and marine/offshore areas. As well, the Gulf Coast’s bounty is plentiful and unlike any other in the world, making it a coveted spot for anglers and seafood lovers alike.
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Whether you’re staying at WaterColor Inn, The Pearl Hotel or WaterSound Inn, there are countless ways to enjoy the area’s natural wonders. Be sure to ask the Front Desk for more information on area maps, recreational areas or for assistance in planning an excursion or securing a rental. Happy exploring!
Every night during turndown service, guests of WaterColor Inn receive a unique freshly baked treat on their bed – the perfect way to close yet another memorable day at WaterColor. Talk about sweet dreams!
It’s our very own Pastry Chef Nicholas Clark who selects these sweet treats, and each of his favorite pastry creations follow a theme– whether it’s a nod to Northwest Florida or to a summertime memory, as is the case in FOOW’s acclaimed “Dirt Road Anthem” dessert, which brings together Mississippi Mud Pie, Graham Cracker and Oreo Dirt, Chocolate Cruller, Roasted Pecans all in one unforgettable dessert bowl. Seriously.
Our guests look forward to these sweet surprises stay after stay, but they’ve become especially popular among our youngest fans. Can you blame them? And because we can all use a little nighttime treat, we’ve asked Chef Clark to round up recipes for some of his favorite, kid-approved WaterColor Inn cookies. Now you, too, can enjoy them at home – though you need not save them for before bed. We encourage enjoying them all day long. Happy cooking! We can’t wait to hear which one becomes your favorite.
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ALMOND CRUNCH COOKIE
INGREDIENTS (makes 2 dozen cookies)
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1 Tsp Pure Almond Extract
- 1 Pound Box Confectioners’ Sugar
- 2 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp Ground Star Anise
- 1/4 Tsp Ground Cardamom
- 3/4 Cup Blanched Almonds
DIRECTIONS
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment.
- In a standing mixer with a whisk attachment beat eggs on high speed until thick and frothy, about 10 minutes.
- Add almond extract and transfer mixture to a medium bowl.
- Clean and dry mixer bowl; using paddle attachment combine all dry ingredients on low speed until blended.
- Add egg mixture and increase speed to medium, beat until combined.
- Reduce speed to low and mix in the almonds.
- Use a large ice cream scoop to form cookies onto sheet trays 2 inches apart.
- Lightly press each cookie into a flattened disk. Cover cookies with plastic wrap and refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat oven 325°F
- Remove cookies from refrigerator and plastic wrap. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating halfway.
- Cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
GRAHAM CRACKER COOKIE
INGREDIENTS (makes 2 dozen cookies)
- 2 cups Butter, Softened
- 2 cups Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
- Cream butter & sugar together on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolks & extracts blend until homogenous.
- Add already mixed dry ingredients; blend until it comes together & let chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven 325°F.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Scoop 2 oz. portions onto baking tray.
- Lightly press down on each cookie.
- Use cinnamon sugar mixture to toss each cookie just before baking.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes rotating half way & bake for additional 6-8 minutes.
- After 5 minutes of the cookies resting, place them onto wire racks to cool completely.
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To learn more about WaterColor Inn or book your family’s next stay, visit the resort online.