Whether you prefer the luxury of an oceanfront, AAA Four-Diamond resort, the charm and personality of an historic bed and breakfast inn, the familiar comforts of your favorite hotel, the privacy of a beachfront condominium or villa or an evening camped out under the stars, you’ll find Amelia Island very accommodating. The island is home to a surprising mix of accommodations, each with its own unique character, amenities and comforts, but all sharing a brand of Florida southern hospitality that is pure Amelia.
World-Class Luxury
Amelia Island is home to three award-winning resorts, each nationally and internationally recognized by the media, builders associations, environmental groups and the Florida's Governor's office. Located on the southern end of the island, the resorts boast AAA Four-Diamond accommodations, meticulously designed golf courses, luxurious spas, restaurants and shops, and more than 13 miles of sandy white Atlantic shoreline.
Masterfully woven among majestic Live Oaks and the island’s nature landscape, the 1,350-acre Omni Amelia Island Plantation overlooks the Atlantic to the east and marshland and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The resort features 249 oceanview guest rooms. The Villas of Amelia Island Plantation offer one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. Lodging throughout the property features private balconies or patios with beautiful views of the ocean, tree canopies or marshlands. Guests enjoy access to endless outdoor activities, including 36 holes of championship golf, 23 Har-Tru clay tennis courts, nature trails for hiking and biking, and 20 swimming pools. Other amenities include a health and fitness center, age-specific youth programs, 49,000 square feet of meeting and function space, nine dining opportunities, a nature-inspired signature spa, boutique shops and more. In late 2011, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation broke grond on an extensive $85 million re-imagination. The redevelopment includes an additional 155 oceanfront guest rooms, including 27 suites; a new arrival experience featuring a beautiful lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an infinity edge pool and the ocean; more food and beverage offerings and more.
Nestled between a championship 18-hole golf course and the Atlantic Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island provides a beautiful coastal getaway. Each of the beachfront resort’s 446 spacious guest rooms provide breathtaking views of the ocean, and feature trademark luxuries such as plush bathrobes, marble baths, and 24-hour room service. Amenities include championship golf, a four-court tennis complex, state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, and indoor and outdoor pools. Guests can also enjoy the resort’s four restaurants and lounges. The resort also offers more than 35,000 square feet of meeting space and several outdoor venues for events. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island finalized a five-year, $65 million investment with the redesign of its 446 guest rooms. The initial phases added a lavish spa, additional ballroom space, a sophisticated sports bar and updated restaurant concepts.
Summer Beach Resort offers oceanfront or resort view accommodations in private villas, townhomes and luxury condominiums adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Surrounded by the island’s lush foliage and the Atlantic waters, they offer an exclusive collection of privately owned one- to four-bedroom units within several gated communities, each with its own private swimming pool. All units have been professionally decorated to the owner’s individual taste and are fully equipped including washers and dryers and/or private patios or balconies in which to enjoy some fabulous views. In addition to all the comforts of home, guests enjoy access to a centrally located ocean front Beach Club pool and snack bar, two lighted tennis courts, and discounted golf at one of Florida’s finest courses. The Golf Club of Amelia Island on Summer Beach gives golfers a welcome 18-hole challenge, courtesy of course designers Mark McCumber and Gene Littler.
Historic Treasures
Each of Amelia Island’s eight charming bed and breakfast inns offers its own distinct character – whether it’s a Victorian mansion or a Nantucket shingle-style lodge. Many are located in the heart of downtown Fernandina and offer a historic glimpse into the island’s colorful past, while others put guests directly on the beach. Each award-winning property offers a daily breakfast, varying from gourmet cooking to a casual breakfast basket, and most also offer an evening social hour.
Visitors who choose the comfort and charm of Amelia’s B&Bs will step back in time as they relive stories and events from the island’s turbulent past. One inn served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, while others often hosted American notables such as the Carnegies and Rockefellers. The 1905 Hoyt House Bed and Breakfast Inn is offering their private 39-foot Silverton Motor Yacht, as an overnight accommodation option.
Characterized by secret gardens, shady courtyards, porch swings and rockers, fountains, stately architecture, and distinctive décor, the island’s B&Bs are treasured as much for their historic beauty and significance as the unsurpassed personal service they provide. All of the inns provide quick and convenient access to the island’s beaches, restaurants, shops and recreational sites, and many offer complimentary bike, movie, and beach equipment rentals. For a complete list of bed and breakfast inns, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
Simple Comforts
Amelia Island is also dotted with an appealing assortment of familiar chain and other family-owned hotels and motels, giving visitors another option for their unforgettable island vacation. For families or business travelers on a budget, these properties offer great value without sacrificing service or amenities. Scattered across the island, these hotels and motels put guests just steps from Amelia’s breathtaking beaches, or an easy stroll away from more than 25 restaurants and shops in the historic district of Fernandina Beach. Each property offers their own unique amenities, ranging from complimentary continental breakfast, Jacuzzi tubs, complimentary WiFi, swimming pools, fireplaces, kitchenettes, fitness centers and more.
The island also offers a collection of condominiums, villas, townhouses and other rentals, each combining the comforts of home with special amenities such as colorful cabanas, tennis courts and oceanfront pools. A full listing of hotels and other accommodators can be found at www.ameliaisland.com.
For travelers who prefer to bring their four-legged family members along for the run, Amelia Island has several accommodators who welcome pets. Some go to great lengths to make dogs feel at home, offering special treats, dog sitting service and more. Nassau County, including the Beaches of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and American Beach, allows leashed dogs along the beach.
For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
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