My husband and I (both 32, no kids) would like to take a last-minute, 3-4 night trip at the end of August. We're thinking of the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island. Basically, we'd like a pretty luxurious place, where we can hang out on the beach, spend some time at a great pool, and have a "quaint town" with restaurants and browsing/shopping close by. Of course, while we'd like luxury, out limit is probably $200 a night (Amelia's least expensive rooms are about that much.) Does Amelia fit the bill? Will we die of the heat in August? FYI -- we're coming from DC and any place within a cheap, 2 hour or so plane ride would qualify. Thanks for any advice!

Kristi:

I can't attest to the weather, but I was at that property for a meeting a few years ago and it is lovely -- I was really wishing I had been able to stick around afterwards.

The service was absolutely unbelieveable, the beach area was nice (although not the same white sand you see on the Gulf side), and the food quite good (even though it was all banquet food). Sorry I can't remember the pool.

The gym was nice, and better equipt than most hotel gyms.

Actually, it may be the nicest hotel stay I've ever experienced, and I'd love to go back for some R&R!

Hope this helps,
Racy

amelia island is pretty far north in florida,so it shouldn't be as hot as it is at the southern tip. The Ritz there is wonderful.

I would encourage you to check out the B & B's in Fernandina BEach. You will get much more for your $$ + be in town where all the best restaurants are. If you prefer the beach there are a couple there as well. Skip the Ritz & I can hook you up w/a good massage as well.

I would encourage you to check out the B & B's in Fernandina BEach. You will get much more for your $$ + be in town where all the best restaurants are. If you prefer the beach there are a couple there as well. Skip the Ritz & I can hook you up w/a good massage as well.

Thanks for the help so far! Unfortunately, we're really not B & B people, and access to a nice pool is important to us -- so I don't know if anything in Fernandina Beach would fit the bill. We'd love some input on Agust weather in Amelia (I already checked the forecasts), the Ritz pool, or other destination suggestions.

Ritz's are all pretty much the same wherever you go (all wonderful), so you can't go wrong, and the pool is overlooking the beach there. Three's also the Plantation or something llike that, which is supposed to be really nice, but I don't think its on the beach. You've checked the forecasts, so you know what the temps will be. I don't think anything is just a 2-hour flight anymore. You'd fly into Jacksonville, so need to find a nonstop from DC -- difficult at best. Fernandina Beach is the very cute little town nearby, and everytime we've been there, we've purchased some artwork from the nice galleries in town.

The Fairbanks House does have a very nice pool. I'm not sure what "B & B people" are but outside the Ritz & PLantation your only other good options are B & Bs unless you would prefer to rent a cottage or condo. That time of year you are looking @ a week minimum rental. Perhaps it would be better if you just stayed w/ the "Ritz people". Of course Ritzs ARE the same everywhere (overpriced, & of course they do shield from the place you are actually supposed to be visiting) so why even go to Amelia Island.....

FYI -- if others are considering this trip, Southwest flies direct, non-stop from BWI to Jacksonville. And I meant nothing bad by my "we're not B & B people" comment. Only that -- since this will be such a short trip -- I would like more privacy in my hotel room than B & Bs usually offer, in addition to amenities like cable tv, in room movies, etc. I'm not normally a "Ritz person", but I thought it might be nice to splurge for a few days. Goodness!

Having spent many a year down there and having many a friend still living there, I can say - it'll be HOT. There may be a breeze at the beach, but inland - YIKES. But the Ritz is a lovely place. Let me also mention (not to be a doomsayer) but August is the middle of hurricane season. But it's been quiet so far, so you should be okay in that respect. I like shopping and eating in Fernandina, and you should really check out Fort Clinch. And drive down to Kingsley Plantation, which is about 5 to 10 miles south of Amelia.
Have fun.

Ritz Carltons are NOT "pretty much the same everywhere".
The RC in Boston (not the new one) was badly worn, outdated and almost dumpy prior to its closure for refurb recently.
The RC in downtown Atlanta is no better than a typical Hilton or Hyatt business hotel.
The RC in Kansas City (now a Fairmont) was pretty much a blemish on the company's behind.

Many (most) of the RC's built in the past 7 years are cookie cutter (Marriott's influence?) and lack the character of many of the older hotels.

Amelia is one of the better RC's, but I would never stay at a RC without checking out its individual quality, just assuming it'll be great.

We haven't stayed at the RC at Amelia, but we have been well-pleased with our stays at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, which is also on the beach. It's more like a small inn than a B&B; we've always enjoyed privacy there. Look at it at www.elizabethpointelodge.com. We usually go to the Beech Street Grill in Fernandina- very good wine list. Have not been during August, so can't address weather.

Kristi,
I live here near Amelia and it's hot, hot, hot, and humid, humid, humid, here in August in Florida. You may be able to pick up some great bargains this time of year because no one comes here then. Many people avoid the outdoors here in Aug. like they do up north in the winter when it's so cold. If you can get in lots of swimming, etc. for cool-off that could work. we are also in the rainy, tropical storm season. It still rains every afternoon. Previous poster Barbara is very wrong. I live here.

Kristi----I don't know where you live but last year mu husband and I traveled to Arizona from Chicago. We stayed at the Biltmore in Phoenix and had a GREAT time. We were there for 4 nights and with airfare and hotel paid less than a grand. Got a package through expedia. Very hot but it didn't matter cause we stayed at the pool. And it is a beautiful pool (Biltmore's are known for their pools). No rain and it was very quiet.

I'm curious about the statement "Biltmores are known for their pools".
What does this mean?
I'm familiar with the Biltmore in Phoenix, the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, as well as Biltmore hotels in Atlanta and Providence.

These places could not be any more different....and some have nothing resembling a nice swimming pool.

What, if anything, is similar about this hodge podge of hotels/mansions?