A Healthy Getaway : Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Florida | Review

If I have to imagine an environment which is a paradise for rejuvenating my body and breathing pure air that soothes my soul, along with experiencing an ultimate luxury in the bosom of mother nature, where serenity meets tranquility and is far away from hectic city life, I would have thought about  Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort nestled at the tip of a Barrier island off the Northeast Florida coast surrounded with sparkling Atlantic waters and lush salt marshlands. The resort is filled with positive energy and unfathomable natural beauty. I went there for a “Winter of Wellness Retreat” after my hectic schedule last week for two nights and believe me! I had an experience of a lifetime. 

Highlights of “Winter of Wellness Retreat” package

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is offering a healthy getaway — “Winter of Wellness Retreat” from now through March 9, 2016, for travelers to maintain healthy living habits and follow their New Year’s resolution with full dedication. Designed for the active traveler, retreats include a private golf, tennis or personal fitness training session, healthy dining, a rejuvenating spa treatment and exclusive access to the resort’s recreation amenities. 

Making An Entrance

As soon as I entered the resort area, I was spellbound by its natural beauty. The scenic beauty of the resort was beyond words to describe. It was secluded and romantic. I was ecstatic and simply in awe of the natural beauty around. Through a welcome brochure at the reception, I got to know that the entire resort property is 1,350-acres. Well, that sounds gigantic but there were shuttles available for a hop on and off to take you at various locations in the resort.

A Grand Welcome

After the resort check in, I stepped inside my room. To my surprise, I found a welcoming card kept on the table along with a bottle of wine, cheese cubes and raw honey. I was overwhelmed by the warm gesture of the resort.

Oceanside King Guest Room

The room was world class with all the modern amenities. The ambiance of the room was in blue and green color perfectly blending with the panoramic view of the Atlantic ocean. Through booklet in the room, I got to know that resort offers 404 oceanfront rooms in the new Oceanside wing and the rejuvenated Sunrise wing, with a total of 600 beds and 27 suites that offers endless views of the Atlantic coastline. Not only this, but the resort also has additional suites that include the Presidential Suites, Executive Suites and Corner Suites to offer unparalleled luxury. To top of this, the resort also offers one-, two- or three-bedroom villas to suit every guest’s preference for a longer vacation.

The restroom was spacious and clean containing all the essential toiletries. But one thing that caught my eyes was a little cute box with multiple colored threads and needles. I had never seen this earlier in any of the other hotels and resorts where I had stayed before. 

I opened the balcony and couldn’t believe my eyes. The oceanfront view of an Atlantic was spectacular and breathtaking. It is difficult to describe in words. You have to actually be there to feel the mesmerizing view of the resort blending with the ocean.

The Restaurants

Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort has 10 amazing restaurants and lounges to satisfy every appetite for great food and relaxation. Whether you want to watch a sunrise and have a breakfast or farm-to-table dining, they have meals ranging from “Floribbean” fare to pizza-by-the-slice to homemade ice cream or fresh Seafood, there is a restaurant to please every palate. 

I couldn’t dine in all restaurants due to limited time but I went to explore a few of them such as Oceanside, Falcon’s Nest, Sea Glass and Natural Slice and had an amazing experience. The waiters and waitresses were highly skilled and polite and they also briefed me about the ingredients in my recipes. They also customized a few dishes as per my preference.

 Also as a part of my wellness package, I got $50 credit for dining at one of the finest restaurant – Verandah featuring a healthy menu specializing in southern inspired fare and fresh traditional seafood. I was also offered a special dish personally hand-crafted, made and presented by chef Omar Collazo. It was a Carrot dish with yogurt orange and mustard seed. It looked like a dessert but when I tasted it, it had a very unique taste of crunchy mustard seed and carrot. It was a terrific and healthy treat to delight my taste buds. (By the way, did I mention that I ate all the below stuff alone during my stay?) 😉

The Golf Lesson

The resort has its private 54 Holes of Golf ground surrounded between Spanish moss-covered oaks, bordering the ocean, marshes and wooded interior of the island. As a part of “Winter of Wellness Retreat”, I chose one-hour private Golf lesson from head trainer Mike Block. He was terrific and highly skilled. As I was a beginner, he taught me the few basics of the sport, how to hit the ball at a right angle, chipping and putting. I had an amazing time learning the golf lesson and I think this sport is an addiction. Now am planning to join the Golf club near my place.

You can also choose a one-hour private tennis lesson or one-hour personal training session as part of the wellness retreat package. The tennis courts of a resort are incredible and world-renowned. I came to know that the resort has also hosted the greatest players of all-time, from Andre Agassi and Chris Evert to the Williams sisters.

The Swedish Massage 

No trip to Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort would be complete without going for wellness Spa session, pampering yourself. It is an absolute must. The resort has luxury Spa and Salon, that offers an array of pampering treatments from Swedish Massages and Aromatherapy Massages to Pampered Soles Pedicures, Soft Palms Manicures and a full-service hair salon. Therefore after an hour of sweating, chipping and putting, I wanted to relax my body. I went for 50 minutes Swedish Massage. And that was a real bliss in the midst of mother nature. My masseuse was Ellie and she made me feel like a heaven within 50 minutes of our session. I felt calm and relaxed, something close to nirvana. After a massage, I was offered fresh orange juice that was very refreshing and revitalizing. 

The resort also has a shopping village, featuring local boutiques, familiar designers, gourmet food and fabulous art galleries that provide the perfect escape from the day-to-day grind.

Other Recreations & Activities

Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort also offers numerous healthy sports for the families such as Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf that gives families the chance to challenge each other on the new 18-hole nautical themed miniature golf course. The resort also offers Nature Center to discover natural wonders that Amelia Island offers from crabbing and edible plant and wildflower tours, to shell and shark tooth hunts and a build-your-own turtle station. You can also join in a stroll through a maritime forest and discover about the various forest species. You can also catch a glimpse of a painted bunting or great blue heron on a birding excursion, or assist in sea turtle recovery with an on-property naturalist. Apart from this, you can even explore this gigantic resort through Amelia Wheels —by island hopper, Segway or bike and roll across wooden bridges and over sparkling lakes through the stunningly beautiful resort. If you are hungry for thrill and adventure, the resort also offers a number of excursions and experiences to enjoy breathtaking views while paddling through salt marsh and woodlands on a kayaking tour. You can trot across white sand beaches on horseback at Kelly Seahorse Ranch or view the wild horses on a boat ride to neighboring Cumberland Island. However, I didn’t go for any recreational activities due to limited time and just relaxed my body in that peaceful environment.

If you love Sun, Sand and Sea, You’ll love resort’s 3.5 miles of wide, isolated beach. Whether diving into the Atlantic Ocean or basking in the sun, the resort offers various beach rentals from cabanas and chairs to boogie boards and beach games.

Unfortunately, the weather was in the 50’s so I couldn’t use the beach & pool. One of my favorite spot in the resort was fireplace near the pool area which was a perfect place to get warmer and soaked in an entire ambiance with a hot Cappuccino!

 Verdict

Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort is one of the most special properties I have ever seen. The resort is a destination in its own right, where you can immerse yourself in true Floridian environment and experience the health and wellness retreat to revitalize your body to face the hustle and bustle of the world again. There is something in the air here that will touch even the coldest of hearts and everything you see, smell, taste and touch would be impossible to forget. I had an amazing time at Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort and it gave me more than I expected. If you’re looking for a perfect healthy getaway, I can assure you that Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort won’t disappoint you!

Thank you to the whole team of Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort for creating such an unforgettable trip. 

Perfect for; honeymoons, well-being retreats, family vacation, business meetings or seminars and a luxury base for exploring Amelia Island, Florida.

Do share your experiences about the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, if you have been there or tell me about your favorite healthy wellness getaway? I would love to hear about it in the comment below. Thank you!

Happy Traveling,
Ana

Disclaimer – My stay was hosted by Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort but all the views are my own. For more information on my disclosure policy, click here.

P.S.- This post also got published in Huff Post, US. You can find it here.