Anyone stayed in Amelia Island, Florida?

[mickeylovers]

We are thinking of staying there at a Hampton Inn on our way to WDW. Will be arriving early afternoon and want to spend the day at the beach.

 

[hercamore]

Jeez,

I have seen shots of Amelia Island, Fl, on tv cause national tennis matches are held there.

It looks beautiful, and I've always wanted to visit.

If you go, let us know what you think.

Herc.

 

[MrsPete]

Not only have I been to Amelia Island, I've stayed at the Hampton Inn!

Please note: Amelia Island has TWO Hampton Inns. One is an older facility near the beach. I stayed at the brand-new (well, brand-new last June) hotel on the harbor. My husband's company hosted a conference there, and we tagged along for free.

Overall island notes: Very nice beach, nice little water park, okay restaraunts, cheap grocery stores, quaint little shops to browse, nice ice cream place near the harbor. You might like to tour the old Civil War fort that's nearby.

Hampton Inn notes: We had a very nice suite (living room + 2 room with 2 double beds + kitcheonette with full-sized fridge, microwave, and dishwasher. TVs in both rooms. No balcony. Perfect condition, loved the room.

Hampton Inn offers a fantastic, no cost breakfast buffet. It includes make-your-own waffles, French toast, oatmeal, fruits, bagels, cereal. It's the nicest comes-with-your-room breakfast that we've ever had. They also have a "manager's reception" a couple evenings a week: egg rolls, nachos, etc. -- it could easily be a meal. No one minds if one person brings back a plate for those upstairs.

The Hampton pool, however, is a stinker. The place is designed for business travellers, not families. It's a plain square with no view. It's in the shade much of the day. My then-3-year old was stuck playing on the steps all the time because the "shallow" end was about 3 foot deep.

You cannot walk to the beach from the new Hampton Inn, but it's an easy drive.