Omni Amelia Island is 13 miles long and up to 4 miles wide. It is home to 13 miles of beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and clear Atlantic waters, all of which make the island a perfect destination for your vacation. Here at luxurytravel.info we want to be sure you have the best information for your vacation planning. In this article, we will tell you all about Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island resort.
Amelia Island has a long and colorful history. Though it was inhabited by the Timbucua, Native Americans, it was being explored by Europeans as early as the mid-sixteenth century. The first French settlers were ousted by the Spanish, who were, in turn, evicted by the British in the early 1700s. The British gave the island its current name in honor of Princess Amelia, daughter of King George II of England.
At various times the island has flown the flags of France, Spain, the Mexican Confederacy, and the United States. It has also flown the Green Cross and the Florida/Patriot flags at different times in its history as different nations fought for control of the Florida territories. Amelia Island was permanently ceded to the United States by Spain in 1821. During the Civil War, the Union took control of the island and over a thousand freedmen and their families migrated there to be near the Union lines.
Today the island is a vacationer’s paradise, with several annual festivals and athletic tournaments. It was named the ‘Queen of Summer Resorts’ in 1986, in American Resorts Magazine. You may recognize the island as the setting of 1988’s The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking or 2002’s Sunshine State. In May each year, the island hosts the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival – the island is the birthplace of our national shrimp industry. In November you can check out the annual Wellness Festival.
What Is The Omni Amelia Island?
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The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a luxury destination near the southern end of the island. It occupies 1350 acres of beautiful oceanfront property, with over 3.5 miles of private Atlantic Ocean beaches. The resort offers over 400 oceanfront rooms and nine on-site restaurants. It also offers a fitness center and a nature center which showcases some of Amelia Island’s natural treasures. If you are considering traveling to the Omni Amelia Island for work, the resort also has 80,000 square feet of meeting space.
Omni Hotels and Resorts is a privately owned company, based in Dallas Texas. Founded in 1958, the company currently operates 60 resorts and hotels in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The Omni company has the expertise to offer you the luxury amenities that will make your vacation unforgettable.
The Omni Amelia Island Resort is honored to be listed in the top 25 Family Resorts in Parents Magazine, in the top 10 Family Resorts in USA Today, in the top 121 Golf Resorts in the World in the Conde Nast Traveler, the number 2 tennis resort in Florida in Tennis Magazine, and the best of Meetings Today 2018 in Meetings Today Magazine. The resort has also won numerous regional awards for excellence, hospitality, and recreation.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation, for a family adventure, for a business meeting venue or for a destination venue for your wedding or family event the Omni Amelia Island Resort has everything you need to create your perfect getaway.
What Are the Best Things to Do at the Omni Amelia Island?
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Cultural
Amelia Island is home to the oldest lighthouse in the state of Florida. It is open for viewing for a few hours every Saturday afternoon.
You’ll also want to explore the historic downtown area of nearby Fernandina Beach with its rich history of pirates, bootleggers and other quirky characters. Fernandina Beach offers dining and shopping as well as a history museum – in the old Nassau County Jail building – and many special events throughout the year.
Fernandina Beach is also home to the oldest saloon in Florida, Palace Saloon, which is said to have survived the Prohibition years by selling ice cream.
There is also a Native American burial ground that dates back to the sixteenth century on the island’s plantation site. Or you might want to check out the Spanish Mission site that was discovered in 1985. Fort Clinch is another important and well-preserved historic site on the island.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
The Omni Amelia Island Resort offers plenty of outdoor and adventure opportunities. The resort boasts the largest pool complex in northern Florida. You’ll find an adult-only infinity pool, 10,000 square feet of family-friendly pool fun, two hot tubs and a children’s splash area.
Or if golf is more your thing, Omni Amelia Island has 36 holes of championship-level golf in two award-winning courses.
The resort also has 23 tennis courts and a pro shop. And to help you stay in shape there is a full fitness center which includes a lap pool, personal trainers and a variety of fitness classes.
For more adventure, try the guided kayaking or paddleboard adventures and explore the coastal marshlands and Atlantic Ocean coastal environments up close. And, of course, the pristine beach offers plenty of outdoor fun and adventure. You can rent a bike or a golf cart to tour around the resort by yourself or participate in one of the guided bike tours offered by the Omni Amelia Island Resort.
If you enjoy watching the pros, you’ll want to plan your trip to see the Women’s Tennis Association tournament. Or for the more offbeat, check out the Petanque American Open. Petanque is a form of lawn bowling.
Luxury
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Need a bit of relaxation? The Omni Amelia Island Resort has just what you need. Relax in the fully appointed and nature-inspired spa and salon. The spa offers couples massages, facial treatments, and a signature Sea Salt and Sand Package. Or check out the unique Plantation Blossom Ritual. The salon is full-service, offering haircuts and styling, manicures, pedicures, makeup application, and services for children and teens.
After a day at the beach relax in one of the 9 on-site restaurants. Or you might just want to stay in and relax with your room’s breathtaking ocean views.
Nature
The Omni Amelia Island is home to a Nature Center which offers supervised activities for children and where you can learn about the natural history of the northern Florida area.
Interestingly, though Florida is often associated with hurricanes, this area of northern Florida has not had hurricane weather in over 50 years. In fact, there have only been three hurricanes in the past 155 years. The weather is mild and coastal with an average midday temperature of about 70 degrees and an average summer high temperature of only 80 degrees.
Family
The miles and miles of the beach alone are perfect for a family vacation, but the Omni Amelia Island Resort offers much more. You’ll want to spend time in the 10,000-square-foot pool complex, and the kids will love the splash park.
You might want to rent a golf cart or bikes to explore the island. You could also spend a day in historic Fernandina Beach, visiting the museum, browsing in the shopping areas or attending a special event.
All children (and many adults!) love stories of pirates and hidden treasure. Amelia Island has a long seafaring history and many of the ships in the harbor long ago belonged to pirates and privateers. A few of the pirates said to have passed through Amelia Island are Jean Lafitte, Blackbeard, and Red Legs Greaves. It’s quite possible that there is buried the treasure somewhere on the island!
What Amenities Do You Offer to Help Me Enjoy My Stay?
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Resort Amenities
- Fully appointed spa and salon
- Oceanview rooms
- Nine restaurants
Family Activities
- Nature center
- Pool
- Splash park
- Supervised children’s activities
Outdoor Activities
- Two award-winning golf courses
- Twenty-three tennis courts
- Pro shop
- Paddleboarding
- Guided kayak adventures
Conclusion
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The Omni Amelia Island Resort is an exceptional destination for your getaway or event. It is a full-service resort with spa, salon, pools, adult and children’s supervised activities, outdoor adventure activities, golf, and tennis, all in the pristine beauty of the northern Florida coast. If you’re looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, the Omni Amelia Island has you covered. Or if you are into a more active vacation, there is plenty here for you too. The resort is also located in an important cultural area with plenty of interesting history to explore.
If you’re looking for a destination that can accommodate your business or family event, the Omni Amelia Island Resort has all the amenities you could ever need. Your travel plans are important to us here at luxurytravel.info. We are dedicated to bringing you the best information to help you plan the getaway of your dreams.