WaterColor Inn & Resort, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Florida’s Highway 30-A spreads vacation rentals behind its paper-white beaches like dune grass. WaterColor is a planned community built like traditional neighborhoods. Most of the privately owned homes, from one to six bedrooms, are available by the night—you can view styles and floor plans and pick out your dream cottage rental. Staying here gets you access to the resort’s tennis courts, seven pools, and private golf courses.

Field trip: Take a bike from the inn and coast about two miles over Western Lake to the town of Grayton Beach for lunch and shopping; try the Shops of Grayton.

Night out: In neighboring Grayton Beach, the owners of Fire restaurant brought their New Orleans coastal cuisine to the 30-A area. Save room for warm toffee sticky pudding.

Rates: $230–$645 for one- to two-bedroom rental homes; 866/426-2656 or watercolorresort.com