WaterColor Inn and Resort

(Santa Rosa Beach, FL) 22, May, 2013 – WaterColor Inn & Resort, the premier Gulf-front resort offering luxury accommodations mixed with a distinctive Southern charm, today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

WaterColor Inn & Resort is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence," said Andrew Czarnecki, General Manager at WaterColor Inn & Resort. "We strive to offer our guests a memorable experience, and this award is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews on TripAdvisor."

"TripAdvisor is delighted to celebrate the success of businesses around the globe, from Sydney to Chicago, Sao Paulo to Rome, which are consistently offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience," said Alison Copus, Vice President of Marketing for TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers."

Media Contact:
Jennifer Haynes Williams
850. 231.7713
jwilliams@watercolorresort.com


About WaterColor Inn & Resort
WaterColor Inn & Resort has a long list of awards and accolades and most recently has been selected a 2013 Forbes Four-Star Resort, 2013 as a Conde' Nast Travelers -Readers Choice "Gold List" recipient and a 2013 "Platinum Circle" recipient. Also awarded in 2013 the AAA Four-Diamond rating for both the WaterColor Inn and Fish Out of Water restaurant. The InnSpa received #19 in the 2013 Conde' Nast Travelers, "Readers Spa Poll" for North America.

The WaterColor Inn & Resort offers luxurious accommodations at both the exclusive 60 room Inn and well appointed residences and charming cottages. The resort has award-winning dining at Fish Out of Water, a full service spa, Kids Camp, golf, tennis, biking, kayaking and fishing. WaterColor Inn & Resort is managed by Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts and developed by The St. Joe Company. For more information about WaterColor visit www.watercolorresort.com, www.watercolorvacationhomes.com or call 866-426-2656.

About WaterSound Beach
WaterSound Beach is a 256-acre gated residential community sitting directly on the Gulf of Mexico, along Scenic Highway 30-A between Camp Creek Lake and Deer Lake State Park in Northwest Florida's South Walton County. Developed by the St. Joe Company, it stretches for a mile along the Gulf Coast's crystal white sands and emerald waters, with pedestrian bridges and footpaths linking the community are various neighborhoods, complemented by the property's dramatic dunes and lush, natural spaces. Amenities include the private WaterSound Beach Club, with a 7,000 square foot free-form swimming pool and seasonal Duneside Grille. Two miles east of WaterSound Beach is Camp Creek Golf Course, a private, 18-hole, par 72 championship course configured by renowned designer Tom Fazio. For WaterSound vacation rentals, call 800-413-2363 or visit www.watersoundvacationrentals.com.

About Camp Creek
Since opening in 2001, Camp Creek has been consistently cited as one of Tom Fazio's most thought-provoking, aesthetically-stunning design credits. Featuring a unique "dunescape" appearance, the layout is framed by sand dunes and native grasses. From the back green tees, the course plays to a championship caliber yardage of 7,159 and a formidable slope rating of 152 (one of the highest in the state). Camp Creek's five-tee configuration, which also includes gold (senior) and red (women's) tees, accommodates players of all skill and experience levels. It is ranked among the top courses in the state by Golfweek, GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest. It has also been recognized for its environmental stewardship through designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS). Superintendent Larry Livingston was similarly distinguished as a certified Audubon Steward.

About Shark's Tooth
Designed by Greg Norman and voted the second best new private course by Golf Digest in 2002, Shark's Tooth Golf Club was purchased by The St. Joe Company to bolster its high-end, golf course holdings. The course stretches to 7,204 yards from the back tees and features five fairways that border scenic Lake Powell, two holes that play toward the water and numerous wooden cart path bridges that cross over streams and estuaries. Tucked among the oaks and pines along the shores of the historic lake, which has been designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway, Shark's Tooth is a challenging course that co-exists with its surroundings. Grass from the Greg Norman Turf Company was used on the fairways, approaches and rough. The course is a Silver Signature Sanctuary Course as accredited by the Audubon Signature Program.

About St. Joe
The St. Joe Company, a publicly held company currently based in Santa Rosa Beach, is one of Florida's largest real estate development companies and Northwest Florida's largest private landowner. St. Joe is primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.joe.com.

LOS ANGELES - (February 26, 2013) - Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 55th annual listing of Star Award-winning hospitality establishments worldwide, and named WaterColor Inn & Resort as part of this list. WaterColor Inn & Resort will be showcased with all of the 2013 award winners on Startle.com, the online home of Forbes Travel Guide. In addition to Forbes Travel Guide’s annual list of Five- and Four-Star hotels, restaurants and spas, the company revealed its new “Recommended” rating category, designating well-appointed hotels, restaurants and spas that deliver enhanced service, distinct value and a strong sense of place. This rating category joins Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star and Four-Star ratings designations, which since the company’s founding in 1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, have been the gold standard for hospitality excellence.

The WaterColor Inn & Resort offers luxurious accommodations at both the exclusive 60 room Inn and well appointed residences and charming cottages. The resort has award-winning dining at Fish Out of Water, a full service spa, Kids Camp, golf, tennis, biking, kayaking and fishing. WaterColor Inn & Resort is managed by Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts and developed by The St. Joe Company.

WaterColor Inn & Resort is the latest installment to the travel ratings system that has been the gold standard in the industry since 1958.

“The Forbes Travel Guide annual Star Awards represent the best in class in luxury hospitality. Travelers seeking exceptional experiences rely on our ratings to guide them to the world’s finest hotels, restaurants and spas,” said Michael Cascone, President and COO of Forbes Travel Guide. “By continuing to evolve our ratings categories, we are establishing a global benchmark for the highest standards in hospitality service and facilities.”

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.startle.com/about/ratings

About Forbes Travel Guide and Startle.com
Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide and originator of the prestigious Five Star ratings and certifications, has provided the travel industry’s most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. The information gathered from the inspectors’ visits can be found along with content by curated hospitality experts, tastemakers, Forbes Travel Guide editors and correspondents at Startle.com, online home of Forbes Travel Guide.

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. --Jan. 25, 2013 --The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) announces the 2013 ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival will be held at WaterColor Inn & Resort. The 25th annual celebration of the arts continues to grow and will fill the streets, greens and common areas of WaterColor with fine art and crafts booths, live musical performances, kids’ activities, art demonstrations, workshops and more. Produced by the CAA and presented by WaterColor and Visit South Walton, ArtsQuest will be held Mother's Day weekend, May 10-12.

"We're excited about the new location," said Jennifer Steele, executive director of the CAA. "The beautiful setting on Cerulean Park and Marina Park will be the centerpiece and the festival will extend to the streets and unique spaces throughout WaterColor."

ArtsQuest began as a small community gathering along Hotz Ave in Grayton Beach in 1988. Since then the festival has enjoyed many scenic locations, including Eden State Gardens, the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin and Seaside. Over the years, the festival has grown and evolved to include performing art, art workshops, music, and special events." "WaterColor Resort is excited to be part of ArtsQuest this year and we look forward to a weekend of inspiration and creativity. "

As one of the largest arts festivals in the Southeast, last year ArtsQuest featured more than 130 artists. From local talent to those traveling to South Walton from around the country, exhibiting artists' mediums range from glass, metal, mixed media, and sculpture, among others. The festival includes a juried art show and participating artists compete for $10,000 in cash awards.

To learn more about the ArtsQuest Fine Arts and Music Festival or to apply to participate, visit www.CulturalArtsAlliance.com or call 850-622-5970.