Photos and story by Mary Gallagher
Amazing Amelia Island located off the northeast Florida coast is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty and the type of place you’ll enjoy returning with friends and family time and time again.
The island features 13-miles of beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters plus all kinds of accommodations. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns along with seaside rental units and popular chains.
The island is home to Fernandina Beach, a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions, and eateries all flavored with its history as a Victorian seaport.
Our visit included all of the above invigorating spa treatments, accommodations overlooking the beach, lots of quirky shopping, fine dining and total enjoyment of the outdoors. Almost 9,000 visitors have given Amelia Island positive reviews on TripAdvisor so we aren’t the only ones that liked it here.
The official website www.ameliaisland.com lists in addition to the offers I’ve shown below, a calendar of events that includes the annual blues festival, fishing tournaments and art walks just to name a few, as well as details on more offers and island attractions.
Amelia Island is very convenient to many cities. Savannah is just a two hour drive or you can fly into the Jacksonville, Florida airport which is less than a 45 minute drive. Great for a quick weekend getaway from all parts of Florida and it’s not far for us here in Charleston either.
There are lots of special offers to help lower the cost and up the enjoyment of your visit. You can obtain a Memorable Offer Value Card when you check into your lodging and it provides discounts at over 50 vendors and merchants.
Right now there are two different hotel offers on the official website, a BOGO and Free Night. Different hotels are participating in each offer so you could stay for weeks or months!
Pool at the Ritz Carlton
Six Amelia Island accommodators have created the Buy One, Get One* (BOGO) offer available through August of 2012. Guests who book a Sunday night stay at any of the six participating properties will receive a Monday night stay for free. The BOGO offer is available at the following Amelia Island hotels:
- Amelia Hotel at the Beach
- www.ameliahotel.com
- (877) 263-5428
- Days Inn & Suites at the Beach
- www.ameliaislandbeachhotel.com
- (904) 277-2300
- Hampton Inn at Fernandina Beach
- www.ameliaislandhamptoninn.com
- (800) 426-7866
- Harbor Front Hampton Inn & Suites
- www.hamptoninnameliaisland.com
- (800) 426-7866
- Omni Amelia Island Plantation
- www.omniameliaislandplantation.com
- (866) 481-5057
- Seaside Amelia Inn
- www.seasideameliainn.com
- (904) 206-5300
The Escape to Amelia Island now and get a night free is another discount offer and a great reason to visit. You’ll get a Free Night with a minimum nights stay at participating properties. Best of all, you can use the Free Night any time you’d like. The long list of available properties for this offer and others is on the Amelia Island website www.ameliaisland.com.
Also check out the discounts available with your Harris Teeter card. Harris Teeter’s Very Important Customer (VIC) cardholders will receive discounted lodging, activities, dining and shopping offers at more than 20 Amelia Island businesses from now until December 31, 2012. Check this offer and fine print at www.ameliaisland.com/plan-your-vacation/memorable-offers/harris-teeter/
We have two stories on Amelia Island by contributing journalists Phyllis Steinberg and Andrew Der to give you more ideas on savoring your visit.
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