Island ranks No. 9 in the U.S., while Omni and Ritz-Carlton earn top Florida resort honors
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2026) – Amelia Island and two of its signature resorts have earned top honors in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, with the Northeast Florida destination once again ranking among the top 10 islands in the United States and both Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island recognized among the best resorts in Florida.
Readers voted Amelia Island No. 9 among the Best Islands in the United States, extending a run of recognition from Condé Nast Traveler spanning more than 15 years. The latest honor keeps the 13-mile barrier island among travelers’ favorite U.S. island destinations and continues a track record that has made Amelia Island a regular presence in the magazine’s annual awards.
The recognition extends to two of the island’s signature resorts. Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa ranked No. 5 and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island ranked No. 11 among the Best Resorts in Florida, continuing their own histories of recognition in the Readers’ Choice Awards.
“Recognition from travelers year after year is something we never take for granted,” said Gil Langley, President of the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. “To see Amelia Island and two of our outstanding resorts honored again speaks to the consistency of the experience visitors find here, from our beaches, natural beauty and historic downtown to the hospitality they encounter throughout their stay. We’re fortunate to have a destination and tourism community that continue to give travelers compelling reasons to visit and return.”
The Readers’ Choice Awards reflect the experiences and opinions of Condé Nast Traveler readers, who rate destinations and travel experiences across a range of categories. The annual survey is one of the travel industry’s longest-running readers’ choice awards programs. The complete 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are available at CNTraveler.com and will be featured in Condé Nast Traveler.
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breathtaking natural beauty. Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. 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 AmeliaIsland.com.
Britney GuertinHayworth Public RelationsBritney@hayworthpr.com(386) 677-7000 x 4
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