Review: Omni Amelia Island Resort

Why book?

A resort that nods to nature and offers warm Southern charm, this is an idyllic spot for low key–luxury family vacations—or to leave the kids at home and enjoy the property’s ample amenities without the (cute, little) limitations.

Set the scene

About 40 minutes from Jacksonville Airport, Omni Amelia Island is one of only two luxury resorts on the island (the other a Ritz-Carlton)—though the vibe is far from pretentious. Once through the gated entry, you’ll notice beautifully untamed grounds rich with Spanish moss-adorned live oaks. Enter the lobby and you're met with a cascade of blues: a captivating view of the Atlantic ocean and, in the foreground, an eye-catching water feature followed by an adults-only pool and hot tub, plus a family pool and splash pad. Each level offers plenty of loungers and palms.

Many of said loungers were occupied by families—those I talked to during my stay had traveled from the Midwest, Northeast, and South (Florida resident rates are offered seasonally). Some traveled in multi-family or multi-generational groups giving grateful parents a moment to sip piña coladas while their little ones splashed in the pool with grandparents, cousins, or newfound vacation friends. A handful of corporate groups made themselves obvious with name tags and light beers (there's a conference center on the property). I didn’t envy the few folks that were “working from vacation,” but if you have to open the laptop it may as well be from a fire-side rocking chair overlooking the ocean.

The backstory

In 2010 Omni Hotels & Resorts acquired the former Amelia Inn and facilities including the shops and golf courses, and spared no expense to expand the property's pools, hotel rooms, and conference center. Most recently added is a 10-hole golf course, dubbed Little Sandy, that seems to be the perfect spot for golfers of any age and ability looking for a fast and fun round. Word on the street is another project will soon update a few of the retail shops for both guests and the public—and considering the property’s vast and varied uses, I’d be interested to see what else is in store for the residences, wellness facilities, and sustainability efforts.

The rooms

Every room at the Omni Amelia Island has an ocean view, and a striking one. Even before you feast your eyes on your ocean vista you’ll catch another sprawling view when you enter your room from an open-air breezeway that overlooks the island’s treetops and marsh. Rooms are comfortable and equipped with cozy beds (two queens or one king), crisp white linens, and a no-frills bathroom with a tub. If you need a crib, the available rolling model will fit snugly between the two beds—if snug isn’t your thing, consider one of the suites or booking one of the residence villas, condos, or homes for more space with access to all the same amenities as hotel guests.

Food and drink

The restaurants on property offer a variety of cuisines and atmospheres. Dinners with kids in tow are a cinch thanks to the pizzeria/surf shop/arcade Natural Slice. Cocktails are solid at the Falcon’s Nest restaurant—and so is the brisket. While quarter-eating games are absent there, families can lean on the aviation themed decor and ample outside seating for entertainment, or take a between-course walk over the wooden bridge to spot turtles and lizards.

For a more elevated dining experience, Verandah’s fresh seafood and homemade pastas will satisfy—be sure to try something made with ingredients sourced from the Sprouting Project, the resort’s sustainable greenhouse and garden operation—perhaps a cocktail with honeycomb sourced from its beehives, or a classic caesar salad with hand-harvested romaine lettuce. Breakfast choices are easy and fun: Marché Burette serves up a brunch tower on weekends; grab a coffee and a pastry or the like from Seaglass in the lobby, and set aside a morning for the breakfast buffet and gorgeous terrace view at Sunrise Café.

If maximizing pool and beach time is your priority, lunchtime calls for Oceanside—the resort’s no-frills beach bar and grill with suitable choices and timely service. At the poolside counter service, Paloma & Pico’s tacos are just fine but the star here is the eponymous Paloma—watermelon juice or jalapeno adds a twist to the classic tequila cocktail. (Note there is no food service on the beach, so be prepared to place your to-go order if you’re setting up camp on the sand for the day.)

The spa

It offers most of the standard treatments you’d expect, but for something a bit different, try the signature Quartz Sand Table massage where guest lays on warm sand, a soothing addition to an already-luxurious experience.

The service

The combination of Southern hospitality and big-brand standardization works for the resort’s low key–luxury vibe. Lean on the concierge to help with coordinating activities and reservations both on and off property, and the front desk staff will be your go-to for a breezy check in and on-demand shuttle service calls. (You’ll never wait longer than a few minutes for one of these convenient buses to cart you around). Overall, there are friendly, salt-of-the-earth personnel throughout the resort—including some MVPs at the nature center, Oceanside bar, and cabana service.

The neighborhood/area

A quintessential seaport area, the Fernandina Beach Historic District is about a 20 minute drive north from the Omni. Centre Street and the surrounding area is the perfect place to bop around from shop to shop and grab a meal, drink, or ice cream—the Cinnamon Bear is a sugar-loving family favorite. Have lunch and a local brew at the Salty Pelican and stop at Ship’s Lantern to grab some kitschy souvenirs and a few shark teeth if you can’t get around to searching for them on the beach yourself. (I’m told the trick is to go at sunrise so the tooth treasures stand out with a distinct glint in the sand.) When heading back to the resort, stock up for happy hour on your balcony at Mocama Beer Company or treat yourself to a dozen oysters while the kids run amuck on the playground at Shucker’s.

For families

Everything about the Omni Amelia Island is family friendly but there are definitely some standouts for an (almost) effortlessly enjoyable family vacation. The nature center will become a daily visit for any animal-lovers with a chance to see and maybe interact with turtles, snakes, and Buddy the Macaw. The center hosts guided tours and a discovery series designed for kids to find shark teeth, learn about sea turtles, or go fishing and crabbing. There are even a few evening activities for kids worth mentioning: play a round of mini golf or a game of giant checkers and after dark head to the gaming lounge with video game stations alongside some analog entertainment, like foosball, or grab a s’mores kit from the front desk and roast mallows around the fire. Look to Camp Amelia for daytime or evening sessions and give the kids a chance to make friends while parents enjoy the resort solo for a bit.

Eco effort

The focus on the natural environment on which the resort sits is obvious: Plant life thrives, as do the animals. From gopher tortoises to gators, gulls, and egrets, staff and guests are made to be aware and respectful of the resort’s inhabitants. To involve the community in the resort’s eco efforts, the Sprouting Project creates sustainable culinary experiences through ticketed farm-to-table dinners for guests and locals. To get there or anywhere on the resort, ride a bike or segue to enjoy the property without burning gas.

Accessibility

Omni Amelia Island meets ADA standards with accessible rooms, entrances, pool and hot tub lifts, and beach access wheelchairs.

Anything left to mention?

Ask your driver to take the scenic route from JAX airport, and be on the lookout for skydivers.