Amelia Hotel at the Beach

The three-story, salmon-colored hotel with a tile roof flanked by tall palms makes a good impression upon arrival. Pretty white rockers are set under an awning, and invite guests to take a seat and enjoy the seaside scenery. Inside the older hotel, it’s pleasant, but not quite as impressive. A colorful mural with a tropical theme spans one wall next to the front doors. But the low ceilings and dim lighting make the modest lobby a bit dark. Front desk attendants double as bartenders, and whip up margaritas and piña coladas upon request for an extra charge. Other than the small breakfast room off the lobby, guests don’t tend to linger here, preferring instead to head to the pool or beach. This property has casual and friendly vibe, and tends to draw couples and some families. 

The Amelia Hotel is located on the A1A highway in Amelia Island’s Fernandina Beach. It’s directly across the street from a white sand public beach in a relatively quiet area that has both residential and commercial complexes. A beach gear rental shop and a full-service bar and grill are just across the street, and several restaurants and shops are within a brief walk. The main entrance to Fort Clinch on the northernmost tip of the island is five minutes by car, and the historic district of Fernandina Beach is about a 10-minute drive. Jacksonville’s airport and beaches are about one hour away. 

The guest rooms are generally tidy and comfortably sized, but they’re dated, bland, and in need of an update. Walls are painted cream, and carpet is light brown and gold in old-fashioned damask patterns. No artwork adorns the walls, and vibrant colors are missing entirely. The dark wood furniture includes headboards and desks with office chairs, but in the rooms we saw, several of the pieces were nicked up and past their prime. However, many units feature small balconies, some with ocean views, and even some Standard Kings and Double Queens with no balconies include partial views of the beach (though others overlook the parking lot). Balcony Kings have whirlpool tubs, and the two Terrace Suites have separate whirlpool tubs and stall showers in their larger bathrooms. Suites also include gas fireplaces and love seats. Also, all units are considerably well-equipped, with small, granite wet bars with mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, although past guests have reported their in-room Wi-Fi access to be spotty. While the average size bathrooms feature wide granite vanities, the acrylic shower/tub inserts are dated and disappointing. Room-to-room noise is minimal, and ambient road noise is light to moderate at times. 

This independent hotel has many of the amenities seen in mid-range chain hotels -- and there are several freebies. They include a hot breakfast with eggs and breakfast meats, coffee and fruit-infused water all day, and fresh-baked cookies each afternoon. A small bar off the front desk serves beer, wine, and mixed drinks for an extra charge, and happy hour specials are available daily. There's also vending machines on-site.The outdoor pool is average in size, with a small but sunny patio surrounding it with tables and loungers. The 24-hour fitness center is very small, with only a treadmill, elliptical, and exercise bicycle in a cramped space.The hotel has as a guest computer and meeting space that can accommodate 50 people. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, and the hotel has a guest laundry room, but it only has one washer/dryer. The hotel provides beach towels, and beach gear and bicycles can be rented from a shop across the street. On-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout are free, though service can be spotty.