Florida “Winter” Blankets Amelia Island with New Attractions, Offers, Amenities for Visitors
Florida “Winter” Blankets Amelia Island with New Attractions, Offers, Amenities for Visitors
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (March 3, 2009) – Amelia Island, located off the northeastern coast of Florida, is brightening the winter blues for visitors with a long list of new attractions, services and amenities, including a renovated vacation planning Web site, revamped Fishing Pier, new museum exhibits and more. Recently chosen as one of the top 10 North American Islands by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Amelia Island is also home to an array of outdoor activities, two luxurious spas, award-winning restaurants, and a variety of hotels, resorts and bed and breakfast inns.
Renovated Web Site
Amelia Island has launched a new visitor web site – www.AmeliaIsland.com – with great new features and tons of vacation- and meeting-planning information. Visitors can check availability at their favorite hotel, resort or inn; read recent visitor reviews from TripAdvisor; and even check current temperatures. The new site also includes helpful maps to various featured locations, restaurants and activities, and plenty of colorful images of the island. Additionally, the new site offers a monthly contest for those who sign up for a monthly newsletter.
Fishing Pier Renovations Complete
On March 28, the Atlantic Fishing Pier at Fort Clinch State Park will celebrate its grand reopening for a nearly $2 million renovation project. Over the past year, the fishing pier has undergone extensive repairs and improvements, including the replacement of the boardwalk from parking lot to pier with recycled composite decking, installation of solar lighting, upgrades to the restroom, and installation of a Universal ADA access from the boardwalk to the beach and pier.
Passion 4 Pooches Pet Spa
Four-legged visitors to Amelia Island can benefit from the newest addition to Island’s pet friendly atmosphere – A Passion 4 Pooches Pet Spa. The new spa offers everything from quality all-breed dog grooming to luxurious pet spa treatments, with unique services such as mud and hot oil treatments (for dry and irritated skin), blueberry facials (to remove tear and saliva stains), and canine massage. Prices range from $5 for a hot oil or mud treatment up to $72 for a grooming on a giant breed dog. The spa also sells retail items such as Gentle Leader training collars, Kong Toys, Buddy Wash Shampoo, and more. Visit www.passion4pooches.talkspot.com for more information.
Hampton Inn Goes Green
The Hampton Inn & Suites, Amelia Island was awarded its Green Lodging Certification on September 16 by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A voluntary state initiative, the Green Lodging program encourages hotels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Some of the "green" strides the property has been making include reducing water flow with restrictions on valves and reducing laundry load by encouraging guests to re-use towels and bedding more than one time. Additionally, the property is using non-hazardous chemicals for cleaning, making recycling bins available to guests, and offering energy efficient lighting in all rooms and common areas.
Kayak Adventures
On the Water Adventures has partnered with Kayak Adventures to create a truly unique, watery eco-adventure. Departing from Fernandina Beach, the adventure begins with a scenic cruise aboard the O.A. Bloxom, an 84-foot, fully-restored 1901 oyster boat. Dropping anchor near Cumberland Island, Georgia – famous for its grazing wild horses – the boat is then used as a base for the kayak portion of the trip. Kayaks paddle their way from the boat and into Cumberland’s salt marshes, creeks and rivers for an exciting day in one of the Golden Isles of the Georgia Coast. The six-hour trip is $150 per adult. For more information, visit www.kayakjacksonville.com.
Amelia Island Museum of History
The Amelia Island Museum of History opened two new exhibits in January and February. On January 9, the Beach Racing Exhibit opened, featuring a collection of old racing photos, newspaper articles, and artifacts from the era of beach racing. In February, the museum opened a Black History Exhibit with firsthand accounts of life on Amelia Island during the heyday of American Beach – a glorious oceanfront haven for African Americans during the Jim Crow-era of segregation. For more information, visit www.ameliamuseum.org.
Florida House Inn
The historic Florida House Inn on Amelia Island announced a partnership with the Amelia Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, offering additional oceanfront lodging at the Amelia Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast with all of the amenities, services, and top management provided by the Florida House Inn since 1857. The Amelia Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast offers guest six beautiful oceanfront guest suites decorated in New England seaport style. For more details, visit www.FloridaHouseInn.com.
Natural Teams
Kayak Amelia and Kayak Adventures have partnered to offer businesses and groups special eco-teambuilding programs. Natural Teams will provide an atmosphere that accelerates team development in an outdoor setting. The staff will work with each group to develop customized experiential programs, including activities such as kayaking, biking, or hiking, mixed with team-building scenarios. Each program element is designed to strengthen the bonds between staff members and their natural surroundings, allowing attendees to develop a deeper understanding of the environment. More information can be found at www.NaturalTeams.com.
News & Notes
• Amelia Hotel at the Beach has revamped it’s Web site to include a photo slideshow, with updated images, updated attractions page and a newly designed logo. For details, visit www.ameliahotel.com.
• Redquartz Development/Atlanta will become an equity owner in the Amelia Island Company, which will allow for infusion for capital improvements, such as the construction of the Amelia Links Lodge. The partnership will include the continued ownership of the Cooper family and continuity in management and operation of the resort. For more information, visit www.aipfl.com.
• The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) awarded a Design Excellence Award to Amelia Island Plantation’s Amelia Inn and its designer Rita Scholz for the recent redesign of the Presidential Suite.
• The Amelia Island Williams House offering Themed monthly packages for travelers looking for interesting getaways and great value with discounts. For details, visit www.williamshouse.com
• The Best Western at Amelia Island has reflagged to a Days Inn & Suites. For more information, visit www.daysinn.com.
• The Fairbanks House is now offering Gourmet Baths to their guests, with a choice of Citrus, Milk and Lavender, Herbal or Rose, starting at $25. For more information, visit www.fairbankshouse.com.
• The Hampton Inn, Amelia Island was recently awarded the Hampton Inn's "Wall of Fame" Quality Award for the 2nd quarter in a row, making it one of the top-rated 15 percent in the entire Hampton Inn Family. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandhamptoninn.com.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island was listed among Travel + Leisure’s “World's Best Hotels” in 2009, one of only 28 hotels in Florida to receive this honor. For details, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.
• The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was recently chosen by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events in Spring 2009. The event takes place May 1-3, 2009. For more information, visit www.shrimpfestival.com.
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions, and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
-###-
Media Contact: Katharina Lane
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
(386) 677-7000, (386) 677-7393 fax
katharina@hayworthcreative.com