WHAT’S NEW? Amelia Island Travel News Springtime 2013

Springtime on northeast Florida’s Amelia Island has brought with it new dining experiences, new activities and upgraded accommodations, including the reopening of Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Spring is an ideal time to enjoy what is new and noteworthy on Amelia Island.

Gorgeous April 2013 Spring Day at the Beach, Amelia Island, Florida
Gorgeous April 2013 Spring Day at the Beach, Amelia Island, Florida
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. – Springtime on northeast Florida’s Amelia Island is bringing with it a variety of new dining experiences, new activities and upgraded accommodations, including the reopening of the Omni Amelia Island Plantation.  Consistently rated a top island destination by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Amelia and her award-winning partners have also been showcased in a number of recent publications and awards lists. Spring is an ideal time to enjoy some of what is new and noteworthy on Amelia Island, including the following:

Accommodators

Located on the island’s southern tip, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation reopened following the $85 million Re-Imagination project.  The resort features a breathtaking arrival experience when entering the stunning lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an infinity edge pool and the Atlantic Ocean. The Omni has added 155 additional oceanfront guest rooms, including 27 suites, for a total of 404 oceanfront rooms. The tiered pool deck with 600 loungers (one for each guest bed) includes an adult infinity edge pool, a large family pool, and kid’s splash area. The resort is expanding its programs for kids and teens with new recreation at Camp Amelia, Just for Families events, a Teen concierge, and Gamers – a hangout just for teens.  Guests can enjoy the new Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf with 18 family-friendly, putt-putt holes.  The re-imagination also includes an 80,000-square-feet in meeting space, $3.8 million in improvements to the golf facilities, a spa renovation adding two couple’s relaxation rooms, and a variety of new dining options. To learn more, visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com.

Amelia Hotel at the Beach recently updated their lobby with the addition of local artwork.  Located directly across from the beach, the hotel has also recently started serving Starbucks coffee in guest rooms and has partnered with The Great Harvest Bread Company to offer “Beach Boxes To Go,” featuring freshly made delights. Visit www.ameliahotel.com for additional information.

The Amelia Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast is renovating and upgrading the Sea Escape suite, including tiled flooring in the bath, new sink and fixtures, updated window treatments, fresh paint and new furnishings to create more space.  Additionally, the inn is expanding its outdoor presence on the beach patio with new beach chairs, lounges, umbrellas and beach toys.  For more information, visitwww.ameliaoceanfrontbb.com.

Dining
Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro recently finished a renovation project that included interior painting, renovated bathrooms, new carpet, installation of a new wine cabinet, revamped outdoor landscaping and replacement of china, silverware, glasses and chairs. The restaurant also promoted three-year veteran Kris Maynard to Sous Chef and hired a new front house manager.  The restaurant now offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.   Lunch specials include Tuna Martini, Chopped Fried Chicken Salad, Rib Eye Caprese Po Boy, Amelia Shrimp and Grits and more. Visit www.joesbistro.com for more details.

Now under new ownership, The Surf Restaurant and Bar has made a variety of improvements and additions for guests, including breakfast on weekends, nightly specials, live entertainment daily, and a fabulous new specialty cocktail menu. Additionally, the indoor dining area has been revitalized with bright new colors and booth seating.  The restaurant hosts Bingo on Monday, trivia on Tuesday, and serves a la carte lobster for just $8.99 every Sunday.  Visit www.thesurfonline.com for more information.

The Amelia River Golf Club has revamped their menus to include gourmet salads, sandwiches and Panini.  Menu items now include Shrimp, Spinach and Gouda Panini, Beef and Goat Cheese Hoagie, and Portobello Veggie Wrap. Guests can enjoy a delectable lunch following a round at Amelia River, an 18-hole, 6,823-yard Tom Jackson designed course.  Additional information can be found at www.golfameliariver.com.

Jack & Diane’s Cafe features an extensive daily menu of over 50 items that can be Gluten Free. The restaurant includes gluten free options on all holiday menu specials as well. Visitors also have vegan choices available at the restaurant for those who need both. Guests simply need to inform their server about dietary restrictions prior to ordering. Guests can call (904) 321-1444 or visit www.jackanddianescafe.com.

Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill will be offering Sunday Brunch. Available through summer, the brunch menu will consist of items such as Crab and Asparagus Quiche, Fried Oyster Benedict with Hollandaise, Pelican Breakfast Sandwich, Brioche Stuffed French Toast with Banana Compote, Homemade Beignets with Powdered Sugar and Raspberry Sauce, Breakfast Tacos with Sausage, and Poached Eggs over Corned Beef Hash.  The restaurant will also be offering “build your own” Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Visit www.thesaltypelicanamelia.com for additional details.

Activities

From July 7 through August 23, the Amelia Island Museum of History will host Journey Stories – a traveling Smithsonian exhibition that shows how our evolving mobility changed a young nation and how transportation made us grow. The exhibit includes accounts of travelers, the grim realities of forced migrations and difficult journeys, and the thrills of personal travel. Additional information is available atwww.ameliamuseum.org.

At The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island guests can create their very own salt, sugar or body crème with the spa’s custom blend bar. Using only the finest quality ingredients, guests will be able to choose a unique aromatherapy oil and hand blend them together to create a body product that is uniquely personalized. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.

The Golf Club of Amelia Island is offering military discounts to anyone booking their wedding through April.  With 2,200 square feet of multifaceted event space, the golf club is giving a 10 percent discount to active military, and waiving the ceremony rental fee. Additionally, the Golf Club of Amelia Island is excited to announce Chef Ed Bennett as the new Executive Chef. Chef Bennett has extensive industry experience, including working for PLAE, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Brett’s on the Waterway, and the University Club. Guests can contact Katherine Bean at (904) 277-8015 ext.13 to learn more about membership opportunities, including corporate membership. More details can be found at www.golfclubofamelia.com.

Amelia Angler Outfitters is now offering beach fishing classes. The two-hour class is held at Peter’s Point, where students enjoy beach fishing and are taught surf fishing techniques. The cost is $50 for adults and $40 for children 16 and under. Additional fishing classes are held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amelia Angler Outfitters, which includes a PowerPoint presentation, a two-hour class on the water and lunch.  Cost is $75 for adults and $50 for children 16 and under. Guests can schedule a class by calling (904) 261-2870.  Additional information is available at www.ameliaangler.com.

Amelia River Cruises has resumed its adult-oriented BYOB Twilight Cruise.  Featuring live music by local entertainers, the tour will be offered on Friday and Saturday evenings during the spring, departing 90 minutes before sunset.  Guests should call for times of departure.   Visit www.ameliarivercruises.com for more details.

Amelia Island Awards and Accommodator Recognitions

  • The February issue of Coastal Living listed Amelia Island on the Coastal Hot List.
  • NBC’s Today Show named Elizabeth Pointe Lodge as a Top Winter Getaway.
  • The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off was selected as a Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 event for August 2013.
  • Elizabeth Pointe Lodge was listed as a best Florida hotel for a honeymoon in Bride’s magazine.
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island was listed as one of the Best Hotels in U.S. News & World Report and has earned a Five Diamond rating from AAA.
  • The Hoyt House was named one of the Top 10 B&Bs in the United States by BedAndBreakfast.com.
  • Conde Nast Traveler featured Amelia Island as a top Florida destination in their February issue.
  • Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro has been named in the top two percent of independent restaurants in the country by Local Eats.
  • Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro, P.L.A.E. and 29 South have been voted in the top 50 restaurants in North Florida byJacksonville magazine.

SOURCE: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors’ Bureau press release

For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.