AMELIA ISLAND, FL for Valentines
 

Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do in Amelia Island? I was planning on staying at the Ritz-Carlton, any comments on the property?

Hi, Charlie, <BR>Far be it from us to recommend against any Ritz Carlton property. <BR>However, we stayed a couple of years ago in one of the (several) beautiful Victorian B&B properties in Fernandina Beach, and loved it. Lots of strolling and shopping opportunities, beaches, interesting area. Couldn't tour the Ritz-y grounds without a reason for getting past the guard (like a room reservation, I guess) so can't comment on the property. Pretty luxe and popular with conventioners, I gather.

We've stayed there. Hotel is really nice,rooms beautiful, staff superb...we were called by name after check-in etc! They always do things well. <BR> <BR>We were a little disappointed in their beach...narrow and with very loose sand/shells so walking wasn't easy. Of course beach shapes in this area change with every major storm and as it's been 3 years since we were there, who knows, maybe they have a mile-wide beach now! <BR> <BR>It'd be a romantic place to spend Valentines, but that time of year in North FL can be iffy. You may have 50 degree days or 70 degree days, and unless you're from Maine, you're not going to want to get in the ocean! <BR>

Charlie, <BR> <BR>My husband and I have stayed at the Ritz/Amelia Island twice...most recent stay 12/98. The property is top drawer and very well managed. The beach, in '98, was ample and good for taking strolls. There was some construction [think condos] to left of property [as you're facing the ocean]. I would request a room directly in middle of property facing the beach. As I recall, this is a 'U' shaped property so rooms w/full ocean view would not be marred by any condos on either side. A perfect Valentines Day destination. We ventured once off property for dinner...our next visit we will dine at the Ritz. We live on the east coast and 4-5 days is perfect for a get-away. Cannot comment on 'things to do', as we used our time stictly for r&r. <BR>

if you have a car and want to explore consider the state park at little talbot island. it is in a totally undeveloped area and has a very large, beautiful beach. great for walking as the sand is firm. beach is very wide and quite different from the beaches around amelia island that i have seen. we have camped at little talbot island and really loved it, although we were the only ones with a tent and people kept asking us how we liked 'roughing it'.