Anyone who usually reads this web site is aware of that I’ve a love for the seaside. I particularly take pleasure in staying at seaside resorts the place the seaside is just some quick steps from my resort room. So once I discovered that the annual TMS Family Travel convention was being held on the Omni Amelia Island Resort on Fernandina Beach, Florida, I used to be thrilled to have the chance to take a look at the resort throughout my keep.
I didn’t know a lot about Northeast Florida (often known as the First Coast) space, so I used to be wanting ahead to exploring the realm. It’s positively an exquisite place for a household trip – there may be a lot to see and do, proper on the property. While I didn’t have an excessive amount of time to discover the complete resort, I did get a very good really feel for what a trip there is likely to be like, and I’m hoping to return quickly with my household.
One of one of the best issues about this attractive family-friendly beachfront Florida resort is that you simply don’t even actually need to go away the resort. There are so many actions, eating places, retailers, and facilities that you may actually select to spend your entire time there if you would like.
Disclosure: This put up is a part of a complimentary keep by my participation within the TMS Family Travel Conference. All opinions are my very own. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order/click on by one among these hyperlinks could lead to a fee paid to us at no further price to you.
Review of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
The Location of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
When I first heard concerning the resort, I wasn’t certain the place Amelia Island was. Although I used to be accustomed to a lot of Florida, I didn’t know as a lot about this specific space. Amelia Island is positioned off the coast of Northeast Florida, about 35 minutes from the Jacksonville airport. The barrier island itself is about 13 miles (all seaside shoreline) lengthy and 4 miles huge.
The resort affords 3.5 miles of seaside on 1,350 acres. I flew in from Boston on a direct JetBlue flight, so getting there was very straightforward. Once you might be on Amelia Island, you in all probability gained’t need to depart till it’s time to go house. It actually seems like a distant location and may be very family-friendly.
Because of the placement in Northeast Florida, it does are usually just a little cooler than in southern Florida. For occasion, common temperatures in February are within the mid-60s. As a New Englander, it nonetheless feels very heat to me, however you’ll positively need to have a look at the month-to-month temperature averages earlier than reserving. If you need to spend most of your time on the resort, you in all probability gained’t want a rental automobile, however having one could make issues extra handy.
The Rooms on the Amelia Island Plantation Resort
The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort affords 400 ocean-front visitor rooms and suites. My room, which was externally accessible, missed the attractive seaside. The balcony was good for testing the dawn every morning and was additionally a peaceable place to take a seat and browse a e book. I liked the coastal-inspired decor which enhances the area.
Rooms provide customary facilities, together with a fridge, hairdryer, flat-screen tv, workspace, and occasional maker (utilizing Okay-cups). Complimentary WiFi is accessible all through the resort and the convention middle. Ocean View rooms have a balcony or patio the place you’ll have an ideal spot to look at the waves.
The resort affords a number of totally different room varieties. These embody deluxe ocean-view rooms with one king mattress or 2 queen beds, premier ocean-view rooms with a bit extra space, nook suites, one-bedroom government suites, one-bedroom finish suites, and presidential suites.
Guests who’re members of the Omni Hotels Select Guest program can obtain a complimentary beverage every morning, together with different facilities. Since it’s free to register, it’s value signing up in case you aren’t already a member. Platinum and Black Level members get their beverage delivered whereas others can get it within the resort espresso store.
The Pools on the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort affords the most important poolscape in northern Florida, which incorporates an adult-only infinity swimming pool, a ten,000 square-foot household pool (together with sprinkler jets spraying into the pool – as proven within the photograph above), a small splash space, and two sizzling tubs.
I didn’t have the chance to spend time on the swimming pools throughout my keep, however they had been so inviting. I want I had deliberate to reach a day sooner in order that I might spend a while within the grownup pool and sizzling tub. Towels are supplied, and there’s a pool bar open proper by the pool. If I had been visiting with my youngsters, I do know I’d plan to spend no less than one or two full days by the pool.
If you do plan to spend time on the pool, I’d positively suggest you have a look at the climate forecast for the reason that winter months aren’t as heat as the remainder of the 12 months.
Amenities on the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
In addition to the swimming pools, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort affords beachfront entry, proper from the resort. There are 3.5 miles of seaside proper there, and it’s quiet and exquisite.
Rentals, together with cabanas, chairs with umbrellas, paddle boards, and extra, are provided on the seaside. It’s beneficial that you simply make reservations prematurely wherever attainable for the cabanas and the elite umbrellas with two chairs.
There are additionally quite a few household and child actions provided, together with Camp Amelia, Gamers teen lounge, Heron Cove Adventure Mini Golf, and a nature middle. I did have the prospect to take a look at the mini golf and nature middle. I do know that my youngsters would love them. There is a separate cost for mini golf, and packages are additionally out there.
For the adults, there are 54 holes of golf throughout a number of golf programs, tennis courts, a full-service spa and salon, a health middle, and a buying village with over a dozen totally different retailers. You also can take pleasure in out of doors actions like fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and bike using.
To get round this expansive resort, golf cart leases can be found. There’s additionally a resort shuttle that makes stops all through the resort. It’s positively an enormous resort, however you’ll need to discover all of it.
Families also can take pleasure in paddle boarding excursions, nature excursions, and Segway excursions. There are a number of occasions and actions occurring on a regular basis, which makes it a enjoyable place to stick with youngsters.
Restaurants on the Amelia Island Plantation Resort
You positively gained’t want to go away the resort to eat in case you don’t need to. There are 9 totally different eating retailers on the property, together with a pub, a pizza restaurant, a steak and chop store, and a seafood restaurant.
There’s additionally the Sprouting Project, which incorporates an aquaponic greenhouse, an natural backyard, an in depth assortment of beehives, and a barrel room. Tours of the Sprouting Project are provided weekly, and a featured dinner is supplied month-to-month. I did get to dine on the Sprouting Project, and it was positively a improbable expertise.
Restaurants embody the next:
Bob’s Steak and Chop Shop: This restaurant affords dinners all through the week, excluding Sundays. As you’d anticipate, a lot of the menu contains steak and chops, though there may be additionally seafood, salads, and appetizers.
Verandah: This fantastic eating institution affords dinner seven days per week. The largely seafood menu contains chowder, salads, grouper, and mahi-mahi.
Oceanside: Oceanside is positioned by the pool and ocean, and is an off-the-cuff restaurant. There, you’ll discover sandwiches and salads for lunch and seafood specialties for dinner. It’s open each day for each lunch and dinner.
Paloma and Pico: Offering counter-service tacos and drinks.
Falcon’s Nest: Open each day, Falcon’s Nest is a family-friendly pub providing burgers and different informal gadgets. It’s open for dinner each day, and lunch on the weekends.
Marsh View Bar & Grill: Located close to the Oak Marsh Golf Course, Marsh View affords an off-the-cuff southern menu for breakfast and lunch.
Natural Slice: This informal pizza restaurant is positioned inside The Shops of Omni Amelia Island Plantation. It’s open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday and lunch on the weekends. It additionally affords ship for dinner on the weekends.
Marché Burette: You’ll need to go to Marche Burdette for no less than one meal. It affords breakfast and lunch, in addition to seasonal meals together with a shrimp boil, and a steak out. Brunch is accessible on the weekends.
Sunrise Cafe: Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast earlier than heading out for the day. A breakfast buffet, in addition to an a la carte menu, is obtainable each day.
Seaglass: Located off the foyer, Seaglass affords breakfast, cocktails, sushi, and small plates. Live music is performed from Thursday to Saturday.
I solely had the prospect to dine on the Sprouting Project throughout the convention I attended. But we did have meals from the resort all through the convention, and the meals that we did have was completely scrumptious. There’s sufficient selection in each delicacies and value that you can positively have a number of totally different choices. It’s good to not have to go away the resort for meals, particularly if you wish to spend most of your time on the seashores and swimming pools.
The Service on the Amelia Island Plantation Resort
Everyone that I encountered on the resort was extraordinarily useful. My room wasn’t out there once I arrived earlier than midday, however I used to be in a position to have my luggage held. A front-desk clerk referred to as my mobile phone when my room was prepared. Bell companies delivered my suitcase on to the room.
I positively need to return to the resort someday. I’d in all probability plan to go to in April sooner or later, which might be the right time to benefit from the seashores and swimming pools.
Beyond the Resort
If you do resolve to go away the resort, you’ll discover different family-friendly actions. These embody the Fort Clinch State Park, the Amelia Island Museum of History, Peters Point Beachfront Park, and the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum, in addition to whale watching and dolphin excursions, canoeing, and kayaking.
To be taught extra concerning the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, go to their web site. You also can learn extra opinions right here. You also can see among the finest locations to go to in Florida right here.
