Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton
The reputation of the Ritz-Carlton name, of course, precedes itself. Renowned worldwide for its upscale quality, the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton is likely to meet the expectations of its clientele — those looking for the upper echelon of luxury resort. The location of this Ritz on a barrier island with intriguing history adds to the allure. Located within the sand dunes right on the beach, the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton has achieved the highest hotel rating possible — AAA Five Diamond resort in 2009, and offers both an exquisite beachfront setting and outstanding accommodations and service. (There are only nine hotels in the entire state of Florida rated 5 Diamond). Amelia Island’s Ritz-Carlton guests can enjoy an evening bonfire at the beach, relax in a porch-like swing overlooking the sand dunes, or enjoy a sumptuous meal at the Ritz’s restaurant, Salt, one of the finest dining experiences available in northeast Florida.
INDEPENDENT ACCOLADES BY CONDE NAST TRAVELERS
The Conde Nast Traveler 2009 Reader Choice Awards, once again, has selected the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton as one of the top resorts in the U.S. With an audience comprised of frequent and affluent travelers, discerning Conde Nast Traveler readers have put the Amelia Island’s Ritz Carlton hotel on the “Gold List” of U.S. hotels not just once, but five years in a row (2005-2009).
The Ritz-Carlton’s amenities include:
* 26 acre oceanfront resort on the Atlantic Ocean
* 18-hole PGA championship golf (guests can play Golf Club of Amelia, Summer Beach. Golf clubhouse located in the Ritz-Carlton’s entrance driveway.)
* Four restaurants (one outdoors and seasonal), four cocktail lounges (one outdoors and seasonal)
* The Ritz-Carlton’s expansive Spa with private swimming pool for spa guests
* Full service beauty salon
* Fitness center
* Indoor and Outdoor heated pools with whirlpool
* On-site tennis facilities
* More than 35,000 square feet of function space plus several oceanside outdoor venues, accommodating groups of 15 – 1,000
* Ritz Kids program, children’s pool, playground
* Space Teen lounge
* Retail gift shops
Click the link to check room availability and rates for your travel dates, via Amelia Island Living’s affiliate, online secure reservation system Hotels.com.
Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton is located just minutes from historic Fernandina Beach, a quaint seaside village of Victorian homes, boutique shops, eclectic art galleries, antique stores and local eateries. Take historic tours, horse and carriage rides, sunset sails, nature cruises on the waterways, go horse back riding on the beach, and more. The hotel is also conveniently located near the Jacksonville International Airport, just a 30-minute drive from Amelia Island.
RITZ-CARLTON’S RESTAURANT, “SALT”
The Ritz-Carlton’s restaurant, “Salt,” offers one of the finest dining experiences available in the state of Florida. The chef’s desire to surprise and delight is evident. (Jackets and reservations recommended.) Also visit Salt’s Lounge. Diners in search of a relaxed, convivial evening or who only have the time or appetite for a quick bite will appreciate the stylish option presented by the Salt Lounge. Salt Lounge features signature cocktails, an expansive wine list, including wines that can be sampled by the glass, and small inventive plates.
Golf Fairway Summer Beach at Ritz Carlton
GOLF AT THE AMELIA ISLAND RITZ-CARLTON, SUMMER BEACH
Besides a beachfront location, the Amelia Island Ritz also overlooks the lush greens of the Golf Club of Amelia at Summer Beach, a private golf club that allows guests of the Ritz-Carlton to play the course. The Golf Club of Amelia clubhouse sits just inside the main entrance to the Ritz-Carlton, and includes a golf pro shop and restaurant/bar. So be sure to play 18 holes of PGA championship golf at Summer Beach while staying at the Ritz.
THE SPA AT THE RITZ-CARLTON — EXTENSIVE, LUXURY SPA FACILITIES
The Ritz’s spa facility is a state-of-the-art sanctuary. Reportedly costing over $16 million to be built (a new addition a few years ago), the Ritz SPA is housed in a newer wing featuring 27,500 square feet of indoor space and 5,000 square feet outdoors. The facility has 26 treatment rooms and offers two couples massage rooms (one of which is a wet room); two spa suites – the Ocean Suite and Seaside Suite – with a private lounge and four treatment rooms each, for parties who wish to experience treatments simultaneously; a fitness studio, and movement studio for supervised classes and personal training. The spa’s unique features include hammocks, which are used during treatments, signature spa treatments, customized treatment, and spa butlers.
Amelia Island's Ritz Carlton Rear Courtyard on the Ocean
To further promote relaxation and well-being, the spa includes separate sex wet areas with a steam room, sauna, cascade whirlpool and private relaxation lounge, a lounge with refreshment tables, and an indoor pool. Outdoors, a dedicated spa pool with underwater music, a lounge area, and a signature cascade whirlpool have been created for adults only. The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has “spa butlers,” at the spa pool and hotel pool to serve refreshing signature spa beverages, answer questions about spa treatments and to set appointments for guests. The spa is available to both hotel guests and the local community, so it functions as both a resort and day spa.
THE RITZ KIDS PROGRAM
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers “The Ritz Kids” program, an exclusive supervised children’s program designed for children ages 5 through 12. The Ritz Kids program allows parents to play while children stay with trained and certified counselors. The Ritz Kids program offers a wide variety activities including beach games and water sports. Kids get to explore the natural wonders of Amelia Island through a variety of hands-on adventures, including:
* Shark tooth hunting
* Arts and crafts
* Nature tours
* Organic gardening
* Water sports and swimming
* Beach games and relay races
* Culinary creations
TOP EVENTS HELD AT RITZ THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
The Amelia Island Ritz always has plenty of activities and special events on its calendar. The Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious, international car show, is held annually in March at the Ritz-Carlton hotel on Amelia Island. Growing in popularity every year, the event has drawn crowds estimated at more than 15,000 in recent years. It’s an impressive display of fabulous classic vehicles, parked down the fairway of the Golf Club of Amelia Island, adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton.
Easter at the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton features a marvelous Easter egg hunt for the kids with literally thousands of eggs strewn over the lush green lawns. The Easter bunny, of course, arrives and the kids also enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo.
An annual tradition, the Amelia Island Ritz celebrates the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau, kicking off the traditional winter holiday season on Amelia Island, Florida. Enjoy a heavy reception and unlimited Beaujolais wine, held each year in November.
Each year, the November-December holiday season at the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton is a magical experience, featuring a full size gingerbread creation in the Ritz lobby, painstakingly baked and decorated by Ritz chefs, along with gorgeous holiday decor and many special holiday events (watch Ritz holiday video above). The gingerbread “house” is a unique theme each year and truly remarkable — likely the biggest one you’ll ever see. Past gingerbread creations included a gingerbread lighthouse and gingerbread ship (17 feet long).
The wonderful annual Christmas tree lighting celebration is usually held the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving — i.e. Thanksgiving “Eve.” This holiday tradition is open to the local community, and a lovely seaside holiday event not to be missed (with an appearance by Santa Claus, of course!) The very large tree is spectacular with thousands of glittering lights and the ocean as its scenic backdrop. Also enjoy Thanksgiving Day dinner, Christmas Day dinner, and New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton.
You can even learn culinary skills from top Ritz chefs through their educational cooking classes offered periodically throughout the year on various culinary topics.
Plan your escape to Amelia Island, Florida for your vacation or weekend getaway!
