Amelia Island is as lush as it is plush.

Canopies of oaks shade roads and frame views of dunes, ocean vistas and elegant resorts. Acres of marsh glow golden under the sun, luring cranes, herons and paddlers into waterways that wind through nature’s marine life nursery.

A treasure trove of natural beauty, history and hospitality are packed into the 21-kilometre-long, three-kilometre-wide island atop Florida’s east coast.

European nations, Civil War forces and freebooters fought over it. Pirates called it home. America’s shrimp industry began in its waters.

When visitors have fished, golfed, played tennis, ridden horseback on the beach, shopped the boutiques or paddled the waterways, there is first-class pampering waiting.

Top-drawer Lodgings

The Ritz-Carlton, famous for its spa and oceanfront amenities, recently completed a five-year, $65-million redesign. The 547-hectare Omni Amelia Island Plantation has been completely re-imagined with $85 million going into guest rooms and suites, family and teen programs and a conference centre. The intimate Elizabeth Pointe Lodge ranks No. 2 in Travel + Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best Awards Top U.S. Inns and Small Lodges category.

In Fernandina, the island’s town of Victorian architecture, Fairbanks House is a luxury B&B that has placed in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

No wonder travel, trend and tastemakers like those readers of Condé Nast Traveler perpetually place Amelia Island on the list of North America’s Top 10 Islands.

Travel Planner

For more information, visit ameliaisland.com.