Two Amelia island resorts in Florida have joined forces to sweeten accommodation offerings for tourists. The Omni Hotel and the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island have been renovated to draw visitors to the central Florida island. Hotel executives believe that there is strength in numbers, and the properties should work together to promote the island as a luxury travel destination.

Both properties completed upgrades that should appeal to guests. The Ritz, for example,  installed iPads in rooms, so guests can open and close curtains and change the temperature in their rooms remotely. In addition to the soaking tubs with a view in some of the suites, the commodes are musical.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island Sunset
Photo by Mrs. Gemstone

The Ritz completed a $65 million renovation project last year, while the Omni Amelia Island completed its multi-million dollar project this year. This 404-room Omni resort is designed for guests who want to take full-advantage of the outdoors. It has three golf courses, tennis courts, a spa/salon, and an on-site shopping village on 1,350-acres. Pairing guest stays with the island’s art culture, the Omni has had packages that get tourists out of their rooms and into the island’s luxurious galleries.

The Ritz Carlton makes it easy to explore Amelia Island with an organized bike tour of one of the island’s beaches American Beach. American Beach, according to the Ritz Carlton website, was founded by the first black millionaire. A second beach tour, the Historic Fernandina Beach Tour, takes visitors out to see this quaint beach town.

A desire to market the island as a total package and collaborative efforts between the hotels could translate into an improved experience for visitors. Amelia Island is part of the Sea Islands that are along the East coast. The Sea Islands span from Florida to South Carolina. Near Georgia, but inside the Florida border, Amelia Island is noted for its 13-miles of beaches, restaurants, and boutiques. Historians know Amelia Island as the Isle of Eight Flags, because island still raises flags from the eight entities who occupied the island since the 1500s.

Amelia Island Sunset Photo by Mrs. Gemstone