WaterColor Inn & Resort Family Dining

Eating at WaterColor may be a bit challenging for families staying at the hotel. While you'll have a small refrigerator and a coffee maker in your room, you will not find a microwave. However, the staff will microwave your food for you if asked. There are four dining options as well as in-room service and, frankly, they could be better for families. Again, most of the families are housed in homes with full kitchens but those who opt for the inn have limited options.

The Beach Club Grille
The best family offerings are at the Beach Club Grille, where you can order typical kid fare like a hot dog, grilled-cheese sandwich, ham-and-cheese sandwich, or a hamburger. The hours are 11 a.m. until sunset, which might be a bit early for families wanting a quick, relatively inexpensive kid-friendly meal.

The Gathering Spot
The next option is the Gathering Spot and Sushi Bar, which is located to the right of the main lobby with access to the adult pool. The Gathering Spot is well named and serves as the place to have a drink, sushi or a more casual meal. Popular happy hours with discounted sushi rolls and drinks help to entice a crowd.

For those who don't want to eat in the more formal AAA-rated Fish Out of Water, The Gathering Spot is the only option after dark. And, for families, that's not saying a lot. The only menu choices for children are mac-and-cheese, a cheeseburger, and tonkatsu-pork cutlet, which is a panko-crusted pork cutlet served with steamed rice and shredded cabbage; judging by the reaction of the 8-year-old girl at the next table, the tonkatsu pork chop is a must-miss. The resort had just changed its menu and had taken off the exceptional chicken fingers (according to our neighboring young diner). Still the options are limited and standard fare with little or no vegetables or fruits.

Fish Out of Water
The resort's signature restaurant, Fish Out of Water, features a variety of local produce and a coastal cuisine served in an expansive casual room with a patio overlooking the gulf. Serving both breakfast and dinner, this restaurant is suited better for older children who appreciate more than a hamburger or for a parent's night out.

Again, most families tend not to stay at the inn but for those who do, onsite dining may be a concern.

Nearby Restaurants
Nearby, you will find both full-time and seasonal family-friendly restaurants.

Sugar Pies Cafe
At Sugar Pies Cafe in the heart of WaterColor Inn & Resort's Town Center, you can enjoy tried-and-true favorites such as hand-tossed pizzas, sandwiches, salads, as well as soft-serve ice cream and frozen custard.

The BaitHouse Restaurant
Overlooking Western Lake, the BaitHouse Restaurant (open seasonally) serves home-style cooking featuring fresh seafood and vegetables. Menu items specifically for the kids include chicken fingers, grouper fingers and fried shrimp.