Amelia Island Plantation

Amelia Island, Florida’s largest waterfront golf resort community is Amelia Island Plantation. (The hotel within the property was purchased by Omni Hotels & Resorts in September 2010). A 1,350 acre resort community, Amelia Island Plantation covers much of the southern tip of Amelia Island and offers lodging at the Amelia Inn & Beach Club, a 249-room hotel now owned by Omni with deluxe oceanview rooms.  In addition to the Omni-owned hotel, also available to guests are 1, 2 and 3-bedroom“Villas of Amelia.” With posh amenities for an ideal beach, golf, and spa vacation, this “Green Lodging” resort is also in tune with nature — a great combination. (Read more about eco-tourism, nature tours at Amelia Island Plantation.)

When new guests arrive at Amelia Island Plantation, they’re often surprised by the preserved tree canopy throughout the resort, featuring lovely ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss. The resort community is melded into the natural surroundings and is designated “Green Lodging” with an emphasis on nature and conservation.  Located within the extensive 1,350 acre property, Amelia’s Omni hotel is nestled in the dunes on the Atlantic Ocean (the island’s east side), with surrounding property crossing over to the salt marsh and the Amelia River. This seaside retreat with 3.5 miles of shoreline on the Atlantic and 54 golf holes, also offers a 26-room spa, fine dining restaurants, plus championship-quality tennis complex.

Distinguishing this resort from other beach and golf properties, however, is Amelia Island Plantation’s extensive Nature Program, making this destination ideal for those who love the outdoors, nature exploration and observation.

Well known in corporate circles, Amelia Island Plantation is a very popular retreat for business conferences and meetings. Plus, for those seeking seaside nuptials, join the brides and grooms who have chosen Amelia Island Plantation as the perfect venue for a destination wedding. See special offers, vacation packages at Omni Amelia Island Plantation.

AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION’S GOLF COURSES

Resort guests can play 54 golf holes, enjoy numerous oceanfront swimming pools, choose from 23 tennis courts (the resort hosted pro tournament, Bausch & Lomb Women’s Championship Tennis, for 20 years), and dine in two resort-owned fine dining restaurants (The Ocean Grill, and the Verandah). The resort is also the location of privately-owned PLAE, another fabulous fine dining restaurant. If golf is not your game, spend time at the spa facilities, browse the quaint shopping village featuring an art gallery, casual eateries and ice cream parlor, and lots of peaceful nature.

In the 1970s, Amelia Island emerged as a posh island destination when Amelia Island Plantation (AIP) carefully began development of the southend of the island. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded Amelia Island Plantation its “Green Lodging” destination certification. In September 2010, Omni Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel brand with global recognition, purchased the hotel within the community and reportedly has “big plans” for the resort, including expansion of the Amelia Inn and “delivering memorable experiences to our guests.” The Omni is known for its “luxury golf and spa retreats and dynamic business settings,” across North America.

AIP history is one of focusing on habitat preservation with significant green space. A Nature Center was established about 15 years ago with staff naturalists. Nature tours are just one of the family-friendly activities available when staying at Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Guests can rent bicycles and motorized golf carts for use on the extensive property. They also offer a cool ride — tour the resort by Segway. Like horses?  Have the resort arrange for horseback riding right on the beach.

COASTAL, RESORT-STYLE LIVING:   Amelia Island Plantation Real Estate

Besides hosting visitors, the property is home to full-time residents (and second homeowners) who enjoy the resort lifestyle. Much of Amelia Island’s highest-valued real estate is within the gates of Amelia Island Plantation. The resort has been offering coastal, resort-style living for more than 35 years, with upscale amenities and a variety of dwelling types. From oceanfront villas to golf course estate homes, there are various neighborhood associations within the gated resort community, located on the Atlantic coastline, along the golf courses, and overlooking riverfront and salt marsh, including some properties with docks and deep water.

AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION IS A MAGNIFICENT SEASIDE RETREAT

A sizable seaside retreat, Amelia Island Plantation offers so much in the way of amenities on the resort property that one need never leave (until it’s time to pack bags and go home). Since the resort property is extensive and crosses the entire island from the ocean to the river, there’s a complimentary shuttle van to scoot guests around the resort property between hotel rooms and all the amenities — golf courses, restaurants, fitness center, tennis courts, spa and shopping, etc.

The SPA AT AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

Another wonderful amenity is “The Spa,” a 26-treatment-room facility. Services include facial treatments, body treatments, massage, and wet spa services such as Watsu, hydrotherapy, and Vichy showers.

ON-SITE SHOPPING VILLAGE, THE SPA & SHOPS

The Spa is located in the lovely “Old Florida” style shopping village, called the Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation. This quaint shopping village connected by sidewalks, also holds a weekly Friday evening “Boardwalk Bash” happy hour throughout the summertime and into fall, with live musical entertainment and discounts on drinks. Special events also take place throughout the year, including the Florida/Georgia game, Thanksgiving, and December holiday season.

MORE ABOUT GOLF AT AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

Known as a premiere golf destination in northeast Florida, the resort property houses three golf courses, Oak Marsh, Ocean Links, and Long Point, see more about playing these golf courses at the golf website. Amelia Island Plantation has been the winner of many golf awards, including a “Silver Medal Golf Resort” every year by Golf Magazine. Winding through natural coastal hammock, the Ocean Links vistas are spectacular, with five golf holes on the oceanfront, fairways and greens parallel to the beach. Ocean Links has been named “one of the best courses for women” by Golf For Women.  For those who desire resort-style golf club living, lovely golf front homes are situated along golf fairways of the resort.

THE NEW AMELIA ISLAND CLUB

With the resort’s change of ownership, note that the Tom Fazio-designed Long Point golf course and clubhouse is part of a new agreement, a lease/purchase with Omni/TRT, and a new club has formed, “The Amelia Island Club.” Heritage Golf Group is managing the operations for this new member-owned club. In the 4th quarter of 2010, the new Amelia Island Club announced it is accepting applications for membership and eligible neighborhoods include Amelia Island Plantation, Summer Beach, Brady Point Preserve, The Residence, The Sanctuary, and The Retreat. (However, “national” and “at large” memberships in limited numbers are reportedly also being offered with usage rights for amenities allowing members to enjoy 54 holes of golf, the Plantation’s tennis complex (23 courts), swimming pools, fitness center and more. For further info about the new Amelia Island Club, take a look at the Amelia Island Club website or call 904-321-5031.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

Besides playing golf or swimming in the ocean (or in one of the Plantation’s pools), Omni hotel guests may wish to start the day with an invigorating work out at the Health and Fitness Center. Or get blood flowing with an outdoor bike ride. One of the best ways to explore Amelia Island Plantation is by bicycle, and rentals are available. Omni Amelia Island Plantation can also arrange kayaking, sailing and fishing charters for guest enjoyment of Amelia Island’s waterways.

AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION’S NATURE PROGRAMS

A Nature Center is on the property with naturalists, books, and more, including hands-on programs available to resort guests and the public. Experience local nature through the Plantation’s extensive nature program offering a wide variety of educational programs and tours both on and off Amelia Island Plantation. Nature programs offered to guests staying at Amelia’s Omni include the following: Birds of Amelia, Bird Watching 101, Back Porch Birding, Shell & Shark Tooth Hunt, Beachside Naturalist Walk, Crab Grab, Wind, Water, & Sand, Flora & Fauna, Nature Photography, Woodland Walk, Children’s Discovery, Critter Talk, Amelia at Night, Stargazing, Naturalist Kayak, Nature Bike Hike, and Edible Plant. For further information on the Nature Programs, call (904)261-6161. Some of the off-property tours are a Cumberland Island excursion, a Fort Clinch tour, the Okefenokee Swamp, the Kingsley Plantation, the Egans Creek Greenway, and Beaks/Talbot Island State Park. (Read more about eco-tourism, nature at Amelia Island Plantation.)

RESORT’S 3.5 MILE SHORELINE ON THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Amelia Island Plantation boasts 3.5 miles of beachfront that’s sparsely populated (guests will likely see more shore birds than people.) For those who like taking long walks on the beach or a morning jog at water’s edge, one can actually walk or run on the beach around the southern tip of Amelia Island from the Plantation (the tip of the island is Amelia Island State Park, 200 natural acres on the shoreline). Ideal for a relaxing family beach vacation and located within the Atlanta, Georgia drive market, Amelia Island is a popular coastal escape and second home market for neighboring Georgia’s urban dwellers.

TENNIS ON AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

Amelia Island Plantation boasts 23 clay tennis courts. The resort hosted one of the world’s top women’s tennis tournaments, the Bausch & Lomb Championship, for 20 years through 2008, so you know the courts are truly championship quality. Top female tennis pros have played here, including Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova, and Lindsay Davenport. Women’s pro tennis returned to Amelia Island in 2010 with USTA Pro Circuit event that was held at Amelia’s Omni on the same clay courts.

AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION’S ON-SITE FINE DINING RESTAURANTS

Enjoy oceanfront dining at the Ocean Grill in the Amelia Inn hotel — it will be an elegant evening to remember. For dinner reservations, call 904-261-6161. Featuring a menu of the finest steaks, chops, chef’s specials, a bountiful wine list and lavish selection of desserts.

Also located on the Amelia Island Plantation resort property is the Verandah restaurant. Call (904)321-5050 for reservations, located at 3000 First Coast Highway (A1A). The Verandah is one of the best restaurants (resort, casual) on Amelia Island, with an excellent selection of fresh seafood.

Another excellent restaurant, PLAE (People Laughing and Eating), privately-owned, is also on location within the Amelia Island Plantation property, in the Spa & Shops area off First Coast Highway, with views of the golf course. PLAE offers a sophisticated atmosphere, great lounge/bar for cocktails and a wonderful dining experience.

CASUAL BAR/NIGHTLIFE

Head to the Falcon’s Nest on the property for drinks, dancing, and watching sporting events (opened evenings only, lite bites available).

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS

“Kid’s Camp” is offered for children aged 3-10. The camp offers full day activities or morning sessions and also afternoon sessions. Planned activities include nature clinics, games, arts, crafts and more. Amelia Explorers (for kids aged 11-14) and Teen Adventures (for teens aged 15-19) include activities such as miniature golf, beach volleyball, bowling, water parks, museum tour and more.

BUSINESS CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS AT OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

A very popular destination for corporate meetings and functions, Omni Hotel & Resorts at Amelia Island Plantation can host conferences and banquets, accommodating from 20 to 1,000 guests. The resort is also a popular destination wedding venue and can accommodate large parties.

Amelia Island Plantation “Green Lodging” Destination

Eco-minded visitors to the northeast Florida coast will be pleased to know that they can reduce their carbon footprints at Amelia Island Plantation. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded the resort a “Green Lodging” destination certification.

Guests can rent bicycles and motorized golf carts for use on the extensive 1350-acre property. To see the historic district of Fernandina Beach, AIP guests can take the resort shuttle to downtown Fernandina.  Amelia Island Plantation offers a resort-wide recycling program, which includes glass, plastic, aluminum and newspapers, plus electronics. The resort also shows its commitment to being ‘green’ through its use of automatic and low flush water fixtures in guest and public restrooms, resort-wide low energy and long lasting fluorescent lighting, the Project Planet linen and towel re-use program, and clean and green pest control and housekeeping products, as well as many other initiatives.

Get further information about the resort and villas by visiting  Amelia Island Plantation’s website. Or call Omni Amelia Island Plantation at 888-261-6161 for reservations. Local and all other calls 904-261-6161. The street address for Omni Amelia Island Plantation is: 6800 First Coast Highway, Amelia Island, FL 32034.