Amelia Island Getaway

Written by Mary Welch Thursday, October 28 2010

Ahhh. The spa.

Amelia Island is perfect for a girls’ getaway. Amelia Island is perfect for a family getaway. Located in Florida, 29 miles north of Jacksonville, Amelia Island may just be perfect, period.

Let’s look at some quick facts that explain why it is a match for anyone seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. Amelia is easily accessible by highway or plane. In a little over an hour’s air time from Atlanta and three hours from New York – plus a short shuttle from the airport – you are on the beach. Almost as soon as you say, “Take me away,” you’re there.

The Amelia Island Plantation, where we stayed, is almost genetically engineered to take stress away. Upon check-in, you are presented with what is, essentially, a credit card for all purchases so that carrying cash or actual credit cards is unnecessary. A shuttle service runs continuously throughout the resort driving visitors to golf courses, restaurants, the spa, and the tennis courts. It’s almost as if you have your own chauffeur, which is especially helpful if you’ve been drinking margaritas at any of the bars or restaurants. Staff members, all of whom look like they came out of the pages of a Ralph Lauren catalogue, are perky, well-trained, and friendly.

Amelia Island Plantation is nestled on 1,350 acres of the island’s most stunning real estate, and nature is front and center. More than 70 percent of the tree canopies have been preserved, giving the island a romantic ambiance. Every room has an ocean view, and large balconies are perfect for early morning coffees or afternoon drinks while you watch the sun rise or set as dolphins frolic.

So why is it a perfect girls’ getaway? First off, it’s safe. While it is not walled off, security is tight and visible without being intrusive. It offers peace of mind. There is a lot to do at the plantation, including great shopping – 44,000 square feet of distinctive shops and gourmet food stores. Whether it adorable smocked dresses for little girls at the Monkey Barrel, distinctive dresses and resort wear at Harrison’s Mercantile, or familiar surroundings at every middle-aged woman’s go-to boutique, Chico’s, there is something for any wallet. We loved Marché Burette, a delightful wine, cheese, gourmet store, and restaurant. What did we especially like? Oh, yes, free wine tastings.

Three and a half miles of beach

Of course, any proper girls’ getaway would not be complete without a spa. The Spa & Salon at Amelia Island Plantation features an entirely “clean and green” menu of products and services. Available in the 20 treatment rooms are the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, Chocolate Decadence Massage, Herbal Scrub and Wrap, and Organic Ladies Facials.

What is more fun than taking a yoga class with your girlfriends in a tree house? How holistic is that? Assume your lotus position and get your chakras in line while surrounded by magnolias, sabal palms, water lilies, and a meditation garden.

Shifting into family mode that also would hold true for a girls’ getaway, Amelia Island Plantation offers 54 holes of championship golf and 23 clay tennis courts. Pros from both sports offer private lessons and group lessons, perfect for girlfriends or family. Not to boast but after one lesson with Amelia’s golf pro (and my second lifetime lesson), I was regularly driving balls past the 165-foot marker.

Of course, one of the best features of Amelia Island Plantation is its more than three-and-a-half miles of wide, uncrowded beach and 20 pools. One of our most enjoyable times was going to the pool after dark and literally having it all to ourselves. We spent a few hours splashing around, looking at the stars, and laughing at the raccoon who waddled by seeking its own personal take-out.

Amelia Island Plantation has it all – fishing, nature walks, horseback riding, swimming, dining, and sports. Actually, it offers a lot of activity, but somehow what it most offers is a thoroughly relaxing opportunity to enjoy life again – and most importantly – enjoy it with the ones you love.

Mary Welch is a freelance writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dawson Times, Plan Your Meeting magazine, and Atlanta Business magazine. Previously, she held many positions with Leader Publishing, including editor-in-chief of Atlanta Woman, editor of Business to Business magazine, and editor of Catalyst magazine. As editor of Business to Business, she assigned, edited, and conceptualized a series that was awarded Silver in the 2005 GAMMA Awards for Best Series. Welch was a reporter for the Atlanta Business Chronicle for eight years and freelanced for publications including Glamour, Advertising Age, South, Georgia Trend, and Oz. From 2000 to 2003, she served as vice president of media relations for Bank of America, during which time she authored Forever Green: A History and Hope of the American Forest with Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell.