Omni Jacksonville Hotel

Housed in a big concrete-and-glass building, the Omni Jacksonville Hotel is your standard business chain hotel inside and out. Extensive renovations in 2016-17 gave the property a fresher feel, but common areas are still rather generic, with wood paneling, dark-wood furniture, lots of marble-like finishes, and a neutral palette punctuated by burnt-orange seating. Silver-colored wallpaper and new carpets in hallways add a touch of style. The hotel is mostly popular among business travelers familiar with the brand, but it is also a decent pick for couples and families, with perks such as a pool deck (though the pool is currently closed until further notice), welcome gifts for kids, large rooms, on-site parking, and a good Downtown location across the street from the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts and the Jacksonville Landing. Rates are a little bit higher than at comparable hotels in the area, so travelers seeking something with better value may prefer the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, which features cute modern rooms, a rooftop heated pool, and solid dining options. The Best Western Oceanfront is a good alternative for those wanting to stay closer to the beach without breaking the bank, as it has contemporary rooms with up-to-date amenities, and great freebies such as Wi-Fi, hot and cold breakfast, and on-site parking. For somewhere with easy driving access to both central Jacksonville and the beaches, the stylish Hotel Indigo Jacksonville Deerwood Park is a good pick; it features great rooms, an outdoor pool, a charming silent movie theme, and similar rates to the Omni. 

The Omni Jacksonville Hotel is located near St. Johns River in the southern edge of downtown Jacksonville. This is a quiet spot, but it's close to major attractions and some of the local dining and entertainment hotspots. One of the main draws in the area is the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, located right across the street from the hotel, as is the Jacksonville Landing, a large mall with varied dining options and panoramic river views located just a three-minute walk down the street. Also within easy walking distance are the Florida Theater, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Southbank Riverwalk. Jacksonville International Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

The hotel has 354 rooms, all of which were fully renovated in 2016-17. Decor is classic and a tad generic, but the combination of brown wallpaper, blue carpets with leaf designs, and dark-wood furniture is pleasant, and large windows make rooms light and airy. Starting at 362 square feet, rooms are big and comfortable, and feature quality Serta beds (though some guests have found them too soft) topped with duvets and a choice of feather and foam pillows. Most rooms have good views, and many offer pretty vistas of the river and its bridges. Rooms are outfitted with an array of solid amenities, including fully stocked minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, robes, 42-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and movie channels, and MP3 clock-radios. Bathrooms are long but narrow, with granite counters that feel dated, shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and large mirrors with silver frames. Hotel-brand toiletries and hairdryers are provided in all rooms.

As a hotel that caters mostly to business travelers, the Omni Jacksonville offers a wide array of features for those in town for work, including 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space; a 24-hour business center with computers, printers, and a fax machine, and 24-hour room service. The fitness center is also open around the clock and offers a range of cardio and strength-training machines, as well as free weights and free bottled water. Juliette’s Bistro -- housed in an atrium with massive floor-to-ceiling windows, lots of plants, and a skylight -- serves tasty Southern cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. Themed lunch buffets are available a couple of times per week and include Italian and Southern menus. J Bar offers a short menu with smaller plates and snacks, as well as cocktails, beer, and wine in an intimate space with comfortable seating next to the restaurant. A pool is on-site, but it is currently closed for swimming until further notice. Guests, however, can relax or enjoy the expansive city and river views on a lounger or around one of the tables available on the pool deck. Valet and self-parking are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is only free for those that join Omni’s loyalty program (free to join), and some guests have complained that it can be slow.