The Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island is a lovely resort on the north Florida coast near Jacksonville featuring full beach services, an elegant spa, an award-winning gourmet restaurant, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and a golf course right on property. All rooms have a view of the ocean, either from the lead-in coastal view rooms on the u-shaped building’s sides, the ocean view rooms in the center of the U, or the oceanfront rooms and suites closest to the beach at the end of each wing.

Recently renovated rooms are very spacious and comfortable
The north wing of the hotel is the most convenient to the restaurants, spa, shops, pools and fitness center. The south wing is most convenient to the very large and elegant meeting facilities and ballrooms. The club lounge and rooms are located on the 8th floor of the north wing. I highly recommend upgrading to the club level where gourmet food presentations are served throughout the day as well as complimentary cocktails.

The pastry chefs make this gingerbread pirate ship from scratch every year. You can smell it through the first floor!
The hotel takes advantage of promoting the area’s rich pirate history. Over the holidays, the world’s largest gingerbread pirate ship, made by the hotel’s pastry chefs, adorns the lobby.
We enjoyed a delicious meal at Salt, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, and sampled the sports bar and cafe, too. The local historic town of Fernandina Beach, about 7 miles away, has cute shops and restaurants plus cruises for exploring the neighboring barrier islands including Cumberland Island where you can see the Greyfield Inn and the chapel where John Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette were married.