Ocean Coast Hotel at the Beach

The Ocean Coast Hotel is in the midst of leaving behind its former Days Inn self. It is still a simple, motel-style property with few on-site amenities and generic rooms, but some common spaces -- including the lobby -- have already received some cosmetic updates, and all rooms now have new mattresses and flooring. The new management plans to add a gym and a business center, some extra meeting space, and a lazy river, but these changes will happen slowly. Until then, guests should expect to find a mix of old and new throughout, and depending on the room assigned, to get more or less value for their money. 

Rates are some of the lowest in the area, and the inexpensive resort fee -- which is charged per day per room -- includes perks such as free breakfast, outdoor parking, two-for-one golf at a nearby course, loaner bikes, and free use of loungers, umbrellas, and toy wagons at the beach that’s just half a block away. There are plenty of reasonably priced properties in Fernandina Beach, though, so it’s worth shopping around for a more consistent experience. 

The hotel is located on a side street off South Fletcher Avenue, the road that runs parallel to the beach all along Amelia Island. There are plenty of restaurants and bars within a few blocks of the property, and the beach is just half a block away, making this a convenient location for leisure and business travelers alike. Though most guests drive to local attractions such as Fort Clinch State Park and the Amelia Island Museum of History -- each about five minutes away -- guests can also borrow the free loaner bikes available at the hotel, which puts most sights within a 15-minute ride. The drive to Jacksonville International Airport takes about 40 minutes.

The hotel has 135 rooms housed in a single two-story, motel-style building with outdoor hallways and room entrances. Since the Days Inn changed hands and reopened in January 2018 as the Ocean Coast Hotel, the property has undergone some renovations, but updates in rooms are coming slowly, as they only happen during off-peak season. All rooms now have new mattresses, but only a handful have new furniture, and maintenance issues abound in non-renovated units, with broken power sockets, scratched wood surfaces, and general lack of upkeep in bathrooms. Decor is straightforward and generic in all units, consisting of plain wooden furniture, blue satin-like bed skirts, patterned bed runners in blue hues, and neutral seating. 

Standard amenities are good for the price and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is included in the daily resort fee, and some units have sofa beds for two additional guests. Kitchenette Rooms have fully stocked cooking areas with stoves, sinks, coffeemakers, and a range of pots, pans, and utensils. Bathrooms haven’t been renovated and are old and worn. They feature shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and a selection of basic toiletries.

The Ocean Coast Hotel at the Beach offers limited amenities. The heated outdoor pool is the highlight here, thanks to a spacious terrace around it, a couple dozen loungers, and access to a lounge with happy hours, pool tables, and a wooden deck overlooking the street. Tennis, basketball, and beach volleyball courts are available on-site, and loaner bikes can be borrowed at no extra charge. The daily resort fee covers a wide range of perks, including beach loungers, umbrellas and toy wagons, two-for-one golf at Fernandina Beach Golf Club, on-site parking, Wi-Fi, and free appetizers with the purchase of an entree at a nearby restaurant. Breakfast is included in the room rate, but quality and variety are lacking according to most guests. The hotel also features 2,400 square feet of meeting space. Two dogs per room are allowed for a non-refundable, per-stay fee.

The management has announced plans to build a lazy river, a fitness center, a business center, and additional meeting space in 2019-20.