Amelia Island B & B Inns, Fernandina Beach, FL

Amelia Island travelers have opportunity to enjoy the accommodations of several wonderful Amelia Island bed and breakfast inns. Guests can stay in some of Fernandina’s most treasured, historic homes located in the historic district downtown. Or choose to stay on the opposite side of the island along the Atlantic Ocean beach. (List of bed & breakfast inns below.)

Downtown Fernandina is a foot-friendly place to walk around and browse the boutiques, art galleries and antique shops, just one of the benefits of staying downtown instead of the beach hotels.

For those more interested in an array of activities rather than sitting on the beach, downtown Fernandina also offers a nice variety of restaurants and pubs concentrated in the historic district (no driving worries). Walking to the Amelia riverfront at the Fernandina Harbor Marina is another convenience for those staying at the downtown bed and breakfast inns, where charter fishing boats depart as well as a selection of sightseeing boat tours (eco-nature, sunset cruises and more).

The Amelia riverfront docks are a great spot for viewing amazing waterfront sunsets. Plus, downtown is the hub of historic tours via trolley, van or walking tours. If you wish to explore by bicycle, staying at one of Fernandina’s quaint bed & breakfasts inns is a nice option since most offer complimentary bicycles. It’s just a 2-mile ride across the island along Atlantic Avenue to Main Beach Park and Fort Clinch State Park from Fernandina’s historic Centre Street.

Fernandina Beach Bed & Breakfast Inns

Fairbanks House 904-277-3103, with its distinctive architectural style, “Italiante,” and the 15-foot high tower topping this historic mansion, stands out in Fernandina Beach. Circa 1885, it was built by Major George R. Fairbanks, a prominent Fernandina citizen. The historic Fairbanks House features oversized rooms (nine in the mansion) three cottages, and swimming pool. There’s a neat suite taking up the entire 3rd floor and tower, offering 1,600 SF. For those thinking about getting married, Fairbanks House offers an Elopement Package. Some may wish to leave the guys at home and catch up with gal pals by booking the Fairbanks’ “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Getaway.”

The Florida House Inn 904-491-3322, circa 1857 (located at 22 South 3rd Street in Fernandina Beach), is noted as Florida’s “oldest surviving hotel.” The original structure was built by David Yulee’s Florida Railroad. During the Civil War, Union soldiers occupied the hotel. Notorious guests include Ulysses S. Grant, early film stars such as Laurel & Hardy, and members of America’s elite families, the Rockefellers and Carnegies. To the rear of the Florida House Inn is a lovely courtyard with outdoor seating. A mermaid fountain adds to the ambiance in this outdoor setting, a lovely venue for weddings. Within the inn, a small English-style pub offers a cozy atmosphere for cocktails (called the Mermaid Bar).

Hoyt House Bed & Breakfast Inn (circa 1905, pictured further above with ancient oak tree) 904- 277-4300, was modeled after the Rockefeller Cottage on Jekyll Island. This lovely inn sits at the intersection of 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue (the main east/west corridor between Main Beach Park and Fernandina’s historic district). Innkeepers welcome visitors to enjoy this 10-guest room inn featuring gourmet breakfasts, a heated swimming pool, hot spa and garden gazebo. Hoyt House also offers a special dining experience, their English Tea with clotted cream from England, homemade crumpets, scones and more. (English Tea times are open to the public, call for reservations to experience the Hoyt House English Tea).

Amelia Island Williams House (800) 414-9258. Offering 11 guest rooms, the Amelia Island Williams House (circa 1856) treats visitors to the historical ambiance of an Old Florida era. One of the oldest homes in Fernandina, its namesake, Marcellus Williams, participated in the Underground Railroad. There’s a secret room at the inn that formerly sheltered runaway slaves. Union soldiers used the Williams House as a headquarters.

The Addison on Amelia (800) 943-1604. Offering 15 elegant guest rooms, The Addison on Amelia combines three Antebellum-style homes around a courtyard, with the original home dating back to 1876.

The Blue Heron Inn (904)445-9034 a beautifully restored turn-of-the century home featuring six guest rooms (all with private baths). The inn also offers a garden area and swimming pool.

Oceanfront B & B At The Beach

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is Amelia Island’s bed and breakfast right on the beach resembling a “Nantucket-style” inn. The 25-room seaside boutique hotel, with its wonderful, wrap around oceanfront verandah, is an ideal place for those seeking a stay at the seashore in Fernandina Beach.

It’s just a short walk from Elizabeth Pointe oceanfront lodge at 98 South Fletcher Avenue to Fernandina’s Main Beach Park, with its boardwalk to stroll and a retro putt putt mini golf course (said to be America’s oldest putt putt). Plus large lawn area with picnic tables, sun shelters, and playground equipment for the kids. Main Beach has two beach bar/restaurants (The Sandbar & Kitchen and Salt Life Food Shack). Sidewalks that pass by Elizabeth Pointe connect guests all the way to Fernandina’s downtown historic district. (It’s about a 2 mile walk or bike ride from the eastern beachfront to cross over the island to historic downtown Fernandina on the riverfront, the island’s western shore).