Places To Visit: Omni Amelia Island Plantation – Amelia Island, Florida

Nestled on the tip of Northeast Florida’s barrier island, Omni Amelia Island Plantation is located on the tip of Amelia Island, one of the barrier islands off the Northeast Florida coast. Atlantic beachfront on all sides with marshlands, lakes, and a canopy of ancient live oaks, covered in Spanish moss.

The plantation is a gated luxury resort boasting 1,350 acres of canopied oaks and ocean views, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation offers 404 oceanfront guest rooms and spacious multi-bedroom villas. Also featuring the most seaside golf holes in Florida, the resort boasts Racquet Park, a world-renowned tennis complex and a variety of recreational opportunities to work up an appetite.

As Florida’s award-winning island destination, the resort is recognized for offering a luxury resort experience in perfect harmony with nature, rich in recreational activities. The certified Green Lodging Destination is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla. Situated on the 1,350-acres of the Amelia Island Plantation, the property offers three-and-a-half miles of wide, uncrowded beaches; 49,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; 54 holes of championship golf; 23 Har-Tru tennis courts; award-winning recreation programs; a shopping village with restaurants, boutiques and gift shops as well as the nature-inspired signature spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; nine culinary options ranging from casual to fine dining; kids camps; and numerous activities for adventurers including water sports, horseback riding, walking, hiking and Segway tours. With 249 guest rooms in the oceanfront resort, the Villas of Amelia Island Plantation Resort offer 300 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with ocean, golf or resort views.

It was rainy and overcast the time we were there but it was still BEAUTIFUL. This is a very relaxing and peaceful place to visit & vacation.

BACKPACKS
From the moment kids check in, the special treatment begins with age appropriate “BACKPACKS!” Children receive an Omni Kids Bag overflowing with lots of cool stuff. Bedtime treats, colorful bracelets, sunglasses, a souvenir refillable cup for all 9 restaurants, and a magnetic picture frame.

NATURE CENTER

• Enjoy petting the sweet fluffy bunny, and talking to all the animals at the center.
• Go on a guided nature tour.
• From crabbing and edible plant and wildflower tours, to shell and shark tooth digs.
• Meet the cuddly mascot, Tanner the Turtle. Visit Tanner on facebook.
• Go to the “Build -A-Turtle,” workshop where the children make a TURTLE with their own hands to keep and cherish.
• Join in a stroll through a maritime forest and discover the species that call the forest home. Catch a glimpse of a painted bunting or Great Blue Heron on a birding excursion.
• Assist in sea turtle recovery with an on-property naturalist along the beach after dark.
• Join in a stroll through a maritime forest and see the species that call the forest home.

BEACH & POOL

This is the largest pool deck in Northeast Florida. The tiered pool features a fire pit and a beautiful infinity Serenity Pool on the first tier, with one more fire pit and the family-friendly Splash Pool and Splash Park tucked away on the bottom tiers. Perfect for little ones and toddlers. Kid friendly splash area offer pop up movies; golf and tennis clinics and culinary samplings. For the pool and beach goers who forget about reapplying sunscreen the resort offers cutting edge UV bands that detect when SPF levels are low. After dark go to the Serenity Pool for some stargazing in the giant telescope.

EXPLORATION
Guests enjoy paddling through salt marsh and woodlands on a kayaking tour.

Trot across beaches on horseback at Kelly Seahorse Ranch or view the wild horses on a boat ride to neighboring Cumberland Island, renowned for fresh and saltwater fishing, either chartering an offshore tour or dockside angling.

Kids enjoy a paddleboard outing on the serene island waters.

Named after the Amelia Island signature bird, the Great Blue Heron, Herons Cove Adventure Golf gives families the chance to challenge each other on the new 18-hole nautical themed Miniature golf course.

FOOD
The Omni Amelia Island Plantation welcomed Chef Daven Wardynski in late 2012 as executive chef, leading the charge of nine superb restaurants and lounges. The new cuisine offerings satisfy every appetite for great food and relaxation. With inventive southern-style fare, farm to table dining, fresh seafood and a variety of dining venues. Omni Amelia Island Plantation has earned a reputation for excellence in Florida resort dining. The culinary team has re-imagined the dining experience and offers a menu to please everyone. The Oceanside offers 144 oceanfront seats and serves “Floribean” fair.

Verandah’s Chef Chris Pickren said: “Our focus is supporting sustainable fisheries from across the country while still appreciation the comfort of our southern traditions, we are thrilled to incorporated local purveyors in these efforts, gifting our guests whit the best of what Amelia Island has to offer.”

VILLAS
Amelia Island Plantation offers private Villas. The villas feature fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, spacious living rooms and multiple baths and private bedrooms.

AMELIA WHEELS
Explore by riding through miles of Live Oak Tree canopied roads, across wooden bridges and over sparkling lakes through the stunningly beautiful resort. With Amelia Wheels, families and friends roam the resort and on tree-canopied trails with bike rentals, baby joggers, island hoppers (gas-powered golf carts) with Segway guided tours for kids, couples or the entire family.

JUST FOR FAMILIES
Competing in beach and luau games or testing their craft skills by building their own boat. After an afternoon of excitement, parents and kids find respite at a private movie screening or playing beach blanket bingo.

CAMP AMELIA
Parents desiring a vacation day away from the kids or desire a romantic dinner alone can enroll children in age-specific Camp Amelia. The camp entertains its guests with everything from arts and crafts to nature specific camps with on-site naturalists.

FOR TEENS & TWEENS
Big kids, looking for a break from their families, can plan cool activities with the Teen Concierge. Gamers, the new teen hot spot, offer weekly tournaments in foosball or air hockey. Teens can also compete to win in video games, or hang out at the lounge. Gamers is open daily from 6am to 10pm with key card access.

SPA & SALON

The full service luxury spa and salon, was the best on every level. I felt pampered, polished, and really relaxed!

We had a full itinerary on our trip and experienced fun things like:

Dinner at Oceanside

Breakfast at Sunrise Cafe
Private Lunch in the Chef’s Kitchen
Paddle boarding
Played the miniature golf course
Tour of downtown Fernandina and private tour of the oldest saloon in Florida, The Palace Saloon

Experience Spa and champagne “bubble bar”

Dinner at Marshview

Chef’s Challenge with ingredients from the on property Farmer’s Market

Lunch at Natural Slice Pizzeria
Dinner under the stars at Racquet Park

Some attendees played tennis and golf with the pros and a Bike Hike across Long Point Golf Course!

Needless to say, there were plenty of amazing things to do during this trip and the Amelia Island Plantation is a place we will visit for years to come.

For more information on the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, call 1-800-The-Omni or visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com.

Travel was compensated, opinions are our own.