Places to Stay
Located on the southern end of Amelia Island and tucked away on 1,350 acres of awe-inspiring beauty is Omni Amelia Island Resort, your home away from home for the next 3 days and a place that began “in harmony with nature”. This expansive resort has everything you could possibly want, so leaving the gates is totally up to you. Oceanfront accommodations range from nicely appointed hotel rooms to luxurious presidential suites. With an abundance of dining options, there is something for every family member and food palate! Stroll the gorgeous beaches, swim in world-class resort pools, play championship golf, take a nature tour, or relax at the full service spa. Whatever you do, you’ll never run out of adventure in this idyllic destination.
Kick off your weekend at Oceanside restaurant for a delicious lunch beside the sea. It’s hard to go wrong with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the largest multi-tiered poolscape in Northeast Florida as your backdrop. The menu is designed with a Florida and Caribbean flair so start off with a dozen oysters or crab clusters and work your way up to a Blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich or Grilled Salmon BLT. If seafood isn’t your thing, try a juicy Beachside Burger, salad or chicken wings. Everything here is tasty, casual and beachy!
After lunch, you’re gonna want to see all 1,350 acres of this gorgeous property and the best way to do that is by bicycle. Or Segway. Or Island Hopper. Head over to Amelia’s Wheels and figure out how you would like to get around the resort for the afternoon. There are seven miles of bike trails that wind in and out of mother nature for countless photo ops. Guided Segway tours take you to Drummond Point Park and Walker’s Landing and are always a fun mode of transportation for the whole family. If you would rather stay on the paved roadways, an Island Hopper (gas powered golf cart) might be just the thing. Whichever you choose, it’s guaranteed fun!
Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf is not only a great place to take a break from the sun, it’s also a great place to bring out a little family-friendly competition. This nautical-themed putt-putt course is set underneath a beautiful canopy of live-oaks and is great fun for all. I think the winner should get braggin’ rights for the rest of the trip!
Marche Burette, located at The Shops of Omni Amelia Island is the market and deli of your dreams. Not only can you shop for unique gifts, wine and groceries but you can also enjoy their popular Steak Out on Friday – Sunday nights (Note: Steak Out is seasonal. It ends the end of November and starts back up in February). Whether you crave a New York strip or want to try their famous 36-ounce bone-in ribeye, they’ve got the perfect steak for you! Kids can choose from grilled cheese, pb&j, or a grilled 4oz beef tenderloin. Live music and libations add to the fun.
INSIDER TIP: Get there early so you can stroll all around this quaint shopping village. Clothing, art, souvenirs, and more can be found to take home with you!
Seaglass is located directly off the hotel lobby where guests can pick up Stance Coffee® and a light breakfast to begin the day. Stay on the healthy side with a breakfast bowl of Chia Seed Pudding served with almond butter, raspberry and pecan granola. Or, snack on a fresh Berry Cup full of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. If you need something a little more substantial, maybe a breakfast sandwich or quiche would fill you up. Indoor and outdoor dining is available.
Whether you tee up your ball or hit it with a racket, Omni Amelia Island Resort offers award-winning venues for a morning/afternoon of golf or tennis. Oak Marsh Golf Course is 18 holes of a classic Pete Dye-design featuring tight fairways, bulkheads, and seemingly tiny greens that make full use of meandering creeks and marshland. The course is tough but the views are gorgeous. Guests of OAIR also have access to play member only Long Point and the newest 10-hole short course, Little Sandy.
As far as tennis goes, OAIR’s Cliff Drysdale Tennis Program has been recognized as one of the finest in the world situated among the iconic live oak-shaded courts at Racquet Park. Legends like Agassi, Navratilova, Sharapova, and the Williams sisters have all played here.
Grab a delicious lunch and dine inside or on the tree-canopied outside deck after your round of golf (or tennis). Marshview Bar & Grill offers a casual dining experience whilst overlooking the marsh and 9th hole of Oak Marsh Golf Course. The Driver Salad, made with mixed greens, ham, turkey, cheddar, swiss, tomato, red onion, olives, and eggs will fill you up but the Chicken Salad Croissant is worth the visit.
INSIDER TIP: Sip on a Bourbon Bunker made with Woodford Reserve, Lemonade and Basil.
The beauty of this resort is unmatched and you’ve already covered it by land. Now it’s time to see it by water. Explore the back waters, creeks, and tidal salt marsh on a kayak or paddleboard from Adventure Tours. Heron, egrets and many other bird species can be seen as well as flora & fauna, turtles and other wildlife. There really is nothing as peaceful as being on the water and seeing nature up close and personal. This will go down as one of your favorite weekend memories.
The Verandah restaurant is considered one of the island’s finest restaurants and for good reason. You can dine on house-made pasta and fresh local seafood with a coastal Mediterranean influence. The Verandah offers flavors of the local Atlantic Ocean and neighboring farmers directly to your plate. Speaking of farm-to-table, The Sprouting Project is a monthly dining experience where guests feast on a featured seasonal ingredient grown directly from the resort’s on-site organic garden. These mindful meals also include a tour of the garden, aquaponic greenhouse, barrel room and apiary.
INSIDER TIP: Although held one night of every month, it would be worth your while to see if the Sprouting Project dinner is available while you’re here.
Before you check out and head back to reality, you must get a workout in! Trust me… you’ll be glad you did after you eat brunch. The Health & Fitness Center located under the shady oaks of Racquet Park, offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a 20-yard indoor heated lap pool, fitness classes, accessory shop and full service locker rooms. Maybe an early morning Yoga session or Body Tone class is just what you need. Are you ready to get sweaty?
It’s no secret to local islanders that Amelia Island’s most indulgent breakfast can be found at none other than the Sunrise Cafe. The “Morning Table” buffet will make sure you don’t leave hungry with choices of French toast, cold smoked salmon, eggs any way you want them, pecanwood smoked bacon and much more. You can dine in their spacious dining room, but for the best ocean views, dine on the outdoor terrace and talk about what a great weekend you’ve had at this incredible resort.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of many things to do during your Weekend Getaway to Omni Amelia Island Resort. Take a look at all of the places to stay, eat and play on Amelia Island and plan your perfect trip. We’re looking forward to seeing you and your family here for years to come.