Amelia Island Plantation

Well-known throughout the United States and the world as Florida’s premier vacation destination, the Amelia Island Plantation is a AAA-Four Diamond island resort located in the Amelia Island, Florida. It is just 29 miles north of the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and is highly noted for its environmentally aware development in harmony with nature. Nestled among centuries-old live oaks and the beautiful maritime forest, this 1350 acre property overlooks the blue water of the Atlantic on the east and the green marshland and Intracoastal Waterway on the west.

Amelia Island Plantation - A Brief History

The Amelia Island Plantation’s beginnings date back to 1971 when a plan to preserve this natural pristine environment was conceived by master developers Charles Fraser and the Sea Pines Company of Hilton Head, South Carolina and Ian McHarg of the firm Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd. They set upon a mission to strike the optimum balance between man's habitat and the existing natural environment, including the plant ecology and animal life. They devised a master plan to shield the tidal marshes and conserve the oceanfront dunes, grassland and savannahs. Finally, an extraordinary 40 feet wide strip of natural vegetation was added as a buffer to all the waterways allowing them to remain a wildlife habitat, travel corridors and food sources.

Covenants were put into place that that require the resort company and property owners to adhere to so that they can establish and live within this exquisite setting. Each building in the Amelia Island Plantation, including the courtyard, terrace and boardwalk were placed with the natural environment in mind. Every structure at Amelia Island Plantation compliments nature rather than distracting from it.

The original philosophy holds true today. Each entity on the Amelia Resort Plantation “embraces its site and becomes one with it” is still the mission and the reason that the Amelia Island Plantation has remained the pristine environment that it is since 1971.

Accommodations at Amelia Island Plantation

The Amelia Island Plantation currently manages two great places for visitors to stay. There is the Amelia Inn and Beach Club, which offers 249 luxury hotel rooms, a spectacular ocean view and two-tiered pool deck. All of the private balconies in this property face the ocean, making it a delightful place for an early morning breakfast, while enjoying the sunrise.

There is also the Villas of Amelia, which provide guests with special features, room configurations, as well as amenities. In this property maintained by the Amelia Island Plantation, 361 hotel rooms face the ocean and resort, and one, two, or three bedroom villas are available and attentively maintained. It is worth noting that every villa of Amelia Island Plantation is unique. Most feature fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, spacious living rooms, private bedrooms, and multiple baths. And, most villa complexes at Amelia Island Plantation have at least one pool.

Activities at Amelia Island Plantation

In addition to the wonderful accommodations at the Amelia Island Plantation there is also great dining, shopping and recreation.

Three championship golf courses include 72 holes world class golf. Golf Magazine has named Amelia Island Plantation a "Silver Medal Golf Resort". Amelia Links, designed by Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, is a 36-hole configuration that includes two course, Oak Marsh and Ocean Links. Long Point, a Tom Fazio creation, is a distinctive 18-hole course and is the primary course for the club members. Guests may reserve a tee time one day in advance. Royal Amelia, designed by Tom Jackson, is an 18-hole course open to the public and is beautifully situated among a forest of live oaks, sabal palms, and wax myrtles.

The Amelia Island Plantation is recognized for it's world renowned tennis facilities and program catering to the whole family and every level of tennis play. 23 fast-dry clay courts are situated beneath the shade of the majestic live oaks. The Women's Tennis Association has chosen this breathtaking resort as home to the Bausch & Lomb Championships, which are televised from the Amelia Island Plantation each spring. The Gunterman Tennis School offers top instruction. USPTA and USPTR certified tennis pros offer a full set of packages for all levels of play - beginner to advanced. Tennis Magazine honors Amelia Island Plantation as one of the "Top 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts in the USA", and "Top 5 Best Junior Programs in the USA".

There is also a world class dining and nightlife spots within the area, and perhaps what is best about the resort is that it offers a wide variety of guided environmental tours with staff naturalists who give a hands-on experience to all ages.

Amelia Island Plantation