A Sun-Kissed Family Escape at the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

Location: Amelia Island, Florida

Tucked along the Atlantic coast on Fernandina Beach, Omni Amelia Island Resort spans a lush, 1,350-acre sanctuary where luxury meets natural beauty. Just a scenic 29 miles (≈45 minutes) from Jacksonville International Airport, this Florida gem is easily accessible yet feels a world away.

Because the main resort doesn’t offer rooms that accommodate a family of five, we booked a two-bedroom condo in Captain’s Court, part of The Villas of Omni Island. Captain’s Court was recommended as it is the closest condo unit to the main resort.

We were able to park directly behind our unit, though it’s worth noting that a steep staircase leads up to the condos. Most days, we chose to stroll down the boardwalk to reach the beach, which made for a lovely walk. The grassy lawn gave the kids plenty of space to run and play.

Table of Contents

Spacious Villa Comfort: A Family-Friendly Upgrade

Our Captain’s Court villa became our home away from home: two full bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a cozy living area. Miraculously, it cost less than a resort room—and the kids adored the extra space.

Villas like ours offer fully-equipped kitchens, serene beachside living rooms, and private balconies, with guests granted full access to resort amenities.

Still, the villa’s distance from the resort did carry drawbacks. We needed to drive for most meals and activities. Although an on-demand shuttle services both the villas and resort, it didn’t eliminate the time factor.

A World of Amenities—and Extra Costs

Omni Amelia Island Resort has endless family-friendly amenities:

Pools: A sprawling poolscape including family pools, a splash park, indoor lap pools, and an adults-only pool.
Spa & Fitness: Full-service spa, heated indoor pool with aqua-fit classes, sauna, plus Peloton-equipped gym.
Golf & Tennis: Three golf courses (including a fun short course), clay courts, seven pickleball courts, and tennis instruction.
Nature & Kids’ Activities: The Nature Center offered shark-tooth hunts and kids’ camp will keep children happily busy.
Beach & Watersports: Miles of pristine beach, paddle boarding, and kayaking tours across salt marshes.
On-Demand Shuttle: Complimentary shuttles traverse the grounds, making it easier to navigate between villas, pools, dining, and the beach.

It’s worth noting most amenities come with extra charges: premium beach and pool chairs, activity fees, even early check-in options. Want to guarantee access to the plush cabanas? That’ll cost you—and the premium seating often sat empty while guests jockeyed for the free spots.

Dining Delights: From Casual Cafés to Upscale Evenings

The resort boasts 10 diverse dining venues, ranging from relaxed poolside grills to fine-dining experiences. These are the ones we tried:

Oceanside: Al fresco beachfront dining under the sun—our favorite, especially the playful dessert with a chocolate sea turtle nesting in graham-cracker “sand.” It was almost too cute to eat!
Marché Burette: A charming French café perfect for our daily breakfast quiche and croissants.
Verandah: We got dressed up for an elegant final-night dinner.

Real Talk: Highlights & Headaches

What we loved:

Spacious villa living with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry.
Oceanfront views and relaxed, beachside villa ambiance.
A full suite of resort offerings—from golf and spa to paddle boarding and tennis.

What wore us down:

Distance: We spent too much time driving due to the sprawling property.
Fees: Charges for chairs, resort extras, and guaranteed early check-in felt nickel-and-dimed.
Check-in Policy: Check-in begins at 4 PM- unless you pay $75 for an early guarantee. I called to request an early check-in since we had a reservation to get to and needed to change, but I hadn’t paid the fee so we were not allowed into our unit a minute earlier. After several hours in the car, it wasn’t the best welcoming.

The Final Word

If your family desires space, ocean views, and a kitchen, booking at The Villas of Omni Island—particularly Captain’s Court—is a smart option. Just prepare for a spirited walk or shuttle ride to the heart of the resort.

If I could do it all over again, I think that staying in the main resort would have been a completely different experience. BUT… the only way a family with more than four people (even if they are children) is to get two adjoining rooms and the cost would be too high for us.

The nearest Airports to The Omni Amelia Island

Distance to Jacksonville Intl. Airport: ~29 miles / ~45 min drive.
Nearest Airfields: Fernandina Beach Airport is a mere 4 miles away for charters.

Omni Amelia Island Resort Map

Omni Amelia Island Resort Map: Omni’s site includes a detailed map showcasing the main resort zones, poolscape, dining venues, spa, golf, tennis and villa areas—perfect for planning your stay.

Outside of the resort, there are loads of attractions on Amelia Island. Be sure to read our guide to the area.

Bottom Line: Omni Amelia Island Resort offers a family-friendly escape—with luxe amenities, superb dining, and endless activities. Just balance your budget wisely, book the right lodging, and prepare for premium add-ons. Our two-night stay beat expectations—but the villa vibe made us realize that for pure relaxation, the main resort is the heart of it all.