For many years, I’ve heard about Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island from various family and friends. It’s one of those destinations people rave about for multi-gen and solo trips, girlfriend getaways, and even couples vacations. Plus, the five-star resort located on 13-miles of pristine coastline with spectacular views of the water.
Therefore, we immediately jumped at the chance to experience the property after receiving an invitation from Southern Tide to preview their summer 2024 collection. First, we loved the idea of spending time with fellow Creator friends and the brand team themselves. Plus, it gave us the opportunity to enjoy the vast amenities, gorgeous accommodations, and meals on-property.
So what did we think of the experience after staying? Moreover, would I recommend a visit and/or reservation? Let’s dive into it!
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Review
Amelia Island is the southernmost of the Sea Islands, a chain of barrier islands along the eastern U.S. seaboard. Another interesting fact? Additionally, Amelia Island is the only U.S. city to have been under the domain of eight different nations. Pretty wild!
Also, the resort is extremely popular for conferences and groups. In fact, during our stay, there was a larger conference for two separate companies, and it was clear they’d taken over the property for various activities and meals. Weekends are also extremely popular for weddings. Does that impact your stay? Not necessarily, but it does mean certain areas of the property are roped off or reserved for those groups, making meal and activity reservations important.
For example, golf is extremely popular. From tee off to close, the golf area is bustling with people. The Golf Club of Amelia Island features an 18-hole championship golf course. While I’m not a golfer, it’s clear that the property offers a great experience for both novice and expert golfers seeking a morning or afternoon on the course.
How to Get There
The closest airport to Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island is Jacksonville International Airport (or airport code JAX). We were extremely lucky to have direct flights to and from Jacksonville from Chicago O’Hare International Airport via United (yay United!). I’m not 100% sure if this is a year-round route, but in May, there were two daily options to chose from (one in the morning, one in the evening). Here’s the catch – the flights are on an Embraer plane, so not the largest aircraft on the planet. If you’re a nervous flier, you might not love how small it is, but granted – there are MUCH tinier ones out there. Just wanted to flag! 🙂
Our flight from Chicago took about two hours, and another 30 to 45-minute drive to get to the property. Another important tip? Make sure to tell your driver to take the FAST route, not the scenic one. Who knew, lol? Upon arrival, our driver chose to take us on the longer route without telling us there was another option.
He ended up giving us a full tour of the various islands and complete history of Florida hurricanes, Navy bases, and beyond. Listen, it was nice to get a lay of the land, but to be fully transparent – we just wanted to get to the property as fast as possible, lol. Get us to the beach, y’know?
Even though we ended up taking the long way, our driver was extremely kind and asked if we wanted to stop at a grocery store to get waters and snacks. He explained, “once you get on-property, everything is expensive and the guests who I drive always complain about the cost of random things on the return trip to the airport.” Interesting.
Therefore, we stopped at the grocery store of his choosing to pick up some waters and sparkling water. Later, we’d realize these items weren’t needed whatsoever (but more on that later). At the same time, if you’re someone who really likes to have certain drinks or snacks and plan to stay on-property for a long time, the grocery stop isn’t a bad idea.
During our stay, we saw nearly everyone using this car service to arrive and depart the resort. Ubers, Lyfts, and rental cars are also an option, but I frankly recommend reserving with Barrs Transportation instead.
Check-In Process
In general, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island is extremely popular, so I wouldn’t expect to get an early check-in upon arrival unless it’s low season. For example, we arrived at 12 noon and got into our room just a little before 3 PM. A few members of our group didn’t get into their room until 4 PM. Thankfully, the property has a bunch of things to enjoy while you wait, including shopping, dining ,and beyond. Just make sure to prepare to check your bags when you arrive. 🙂
The upside? The property has the cutest welcome cart featuring champagne, mimosas, juices, waters, and more. It’s the perfect way to toast to officially arriving on-site.
Accommodations
During our trip, we stayed in a Deluxe Coastal King, which gave us perfect views of the Ocean. It featured 410-square feet of space, a large bathroom with diptyque amenities, closet, and also a balcony to overlook both the property and water. Another nice in-room amenity is the dual refrigerator where one side features a weighted mini bar on one side and an open fridge on the other.
If we get the fortunate opportunity to stay on-property again, we’d definitely try to stay in a Suite for more space. After all, we brought six bags with us for a two-day stay, lol (yep – two carry-on, two rollers, and two duffle bags). Granted, we packed a ton since it was for a brand trip, but still! I never pack light. 🙂
Thankfully, the room was extremely quiet at night. LOVE that. The hallways were super calm during our stay, and the blackout curtains were incredibly helpful. We both slept very well throughout our entire stay (and super rare).
Pickleball Lessons
Recently, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island unveiled six new pickleball courts. The clay courts are within a short walk from the hotel lobby, and they’re in phenomenal condition (no surprise, of course).
Southern Tide planned pickleball lessons for the group with an on-island icon, Susie DeMille. She’s a total pickleball (and tennis) pro, and spent the next three hours teaching us the do’s and don’ts of the game. Soon we were all “dinking” and serving with grace and ease (okay, maybe not graceful on my end, lol).
To be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure if I’d enjoy pickleball, but it was a BLAST. Also, I was surprised to get the hang of it quickly. We ended up having a lot of fun, and I’ll definitely play again. Susie also made the game extremely easy to understand with great analogies and tips to make serving and dinking easier.
Heads up – Susie is truly a coach. She’s not afraid to correct you or your form, lol. But she has this perfect balance of teacher, coach, mentor, and task master. Highly recommend her for couples, families, and kids!
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Spa
Looking for a more wellness-focused experience? You’re in the right place. From reserving a private pool cabana or beach day bed, there are countless ways to elevate your experience.
Another highlight of the trip was getting a massage at the newly renovated Spa and Wellness Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. From facials to massages, sauna to advanced anti-aging therapies like Theralight 360, the spa truly has something for everyone.
Bob and I both reserved 50-minute Stress Relief Massages, which was the perfect way to unwind after pickleball. My massage therapist was Starr, who was wonderful!
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Dining
One of the main highlights of the experience were our meals. We honestly didn’t have a single bad experience. Service was on-point, and the property has a bunch of options to chose from. They’re also sensitive to dietary restrictions and adjust things to meet your needs.
My personal favorite restaurant? SALT, the AAA Five Diamond dining. We ate dinner there on the first night with the Southern Tide team, and it was an absolute dream. Think steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, and beyond. Also, the Southern Tide team flew in Caroline’s Cakes for dessert, which was an absolute dream.
Reservations at SALT are highly recommended, and keep in mind the dress code (i.e., men are required to wear long pants, closed toe shoes and no hats).
Another highlight? Coquina, the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island’s oceanfront restaurant featuring seafood and coastal dishes. Think fish tacos, tuna bowls, fresh salads, ceviche, etc. Delish! They serve both lunch and dinner, and I sincerely would have eaten every meal here if we could. Everything was SO fresh and delicious. If you’re a fan of piña coladas, I highly recommend ordering one here with a rum floater. Divine!
On the last night, we opted for Coast which includes steaks, salads, pastas, and seafood. We enjoyed a group dinner, and it was a nice outdoor evening and conversation.
Coast serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We didn’t get the chance to experience their breakfast buffet, but we heard it was delicious.
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island – In Closing
In closing, I’d definitely recommend a stay at Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The property truly has something for everyone, and we walked away longing to return again with family or friends again in the near future.