The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

In a state chockablock with chillaxing getaways, Amelia Island is tops: the barrier island is home to everything from a historic Victorian village to jungly hikes galore. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is arguably the best place on the atoll to return to, with a locavore seafood restaurant that’s so devoted to salivary delights it utilizes 40 different salts from across the globe on the menu and multiple indoor/outdoor heated pool options, including one tailor-made for kiddos. Every single guest room here has an ocean view, private balcony and a generous footprint (starting at 410 square feet). Ask for a Fire Table Terrace Room to get a gas “fire pit” on your balcony—best enjoyed with a coup of room service bubbly.

The resort that has everything—including a championship 18-hole golf course and over the top spa—on 13 miles of beachfront (1.5 of them lined in dunes).

Phoning it in. The property has won a seemingly endless stream of accolades, including AAA Five Diamond Award and Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice “Best Florida Resort.”

Despite its size, the resort is admirably eco-friendly, thanks to initiatives like a fervent recycling program and water reclamation systems in the laundry.

Traditional massages may seem a little “meh” after the one you had today: the 50-minute “Heaven in a Hammock” treatment that, yes, includes a rub-down in a hand-woven hammock meant to mimic the ocean tides beyond the windows. It’s officially island time.

Salt - Contemporary American Cafe 4750 - Regional Eight Burger Bar & Sport Lounge - Barfood Ocean Bar & Grill - Seafood The Lobby Lounge Ocean Bar Eight Sport Lounge