Great Time To Visit

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back, everybody, and let's send down to Jacksonville. Jacksonville, Florida.
It's a great place. And we've been talking a lot
about Jacksonville in the past four or five weeks, particularly
about people you guys that I guess I say y'all
that I want to head down there and visit. So

(00:20):
this is all about visiting. So we're trying to educate
potential visitors on what there is to do, when's the
best time to go, what activities and festivals and things
like that that are in Jacksonville, as well as a landscape,
the weather. We've been through all of that. So let's
get into something really cool. When I go to a

(00:44):
place I really like, especially a vacation, I want to
stay a nice place, right. I mean, I'll forego some
activities so I could stay in a nice hotel or
a nice airbnb, whatever. So it's what I'm talking about
today is the luxury resorts and hotels in Jacksonville, because

(01:07):
there's a lot of them. For some reason, some people
don't always think of Jacksonville is a great place to
visit for a vacation. But I'm telling you right now
it is. It's on the water, it's got a huge lake,
it's got a huge river, it has professional sports, it has,
as we've been through some of them, some amazing restaurants
in nightlife, and we're gonna get into more of that

(01:28):
later on a different episode. But first of all, you
need a home base, all right. So we're gonna look
at some really nice home bases because when you're away
from home, you need a place where you can set
up camp and a place where you don't feel confined
to a little bitty closet with a bed in it.
That's not what we're looking for on a vacation, at

(01:49):
least most of it. Sometimes you don't have a choice
for get it. But nothing drives me crazy. And when
I've been out, whether I've been working or I've been
out with my wife and we've had a great day
all day, and say at six or seven o'clock in
the evening, you come in and there's just a little
bit of room, one bathroom. You're like, oh, you're tired,

(02:11):
you want to go out to dinner, but you're really
too tired to go out to dinner. And there's no
restaurant in the hotel, there's no nothing. That doesn't help
my vacation memories at all whatsoever. So I avoid that,
and I'm going to talk luxury resorts and hotels to
help you avoid that if it's at all possible. So, Jacksonville,

(02:36):
like I said, it has a surprisingly diverse range of
luxury accommodations catering to a variety of tastes and budgets,
with the higher with the higher excellon of hospitality beyond
the typical chain hotels. Now we're going to find some
unique properties that offer experience that are up in unparalleled

(03:02):
service that this episode, we're going to really get into
some of the city's finest resorts and hotels, and we're
going to get into some detail and some insights to
hopefully help you choose the perfect setting for you and
your luxurious Jacksonville getaway. Right, So, we're all about opulence today,

(03:24):
and I like opulence whenever it's possible. I haven't experienced
opulence in quite a while, to be honest with you.
That's just one of those things. Everything cyclical. One of
the most prominent names in Jacksonville's luxury hotel scene is
Ritz Carlton, the Ritz putting on the Ritz right this

(03:44):
one an Amelia Island okay. Situated on pristine shores of
Amelia Island. This place is amazing. I have been there.
I've been there several times and it is one of
my absolute favorite places, with some of the best memories
that I have ever had right here on an Amelia Island.

(04:06):
I cannot explain to you what this place means to me.
And you need to go here and experience it yourself.
You need to take the family, he need to take
your wife. You can do it for a long weekend
get away. There's gonna be kids there most of the time,
so it's very family friendly. Expect that, but still just

(04:28):
you're right on the beach and it's a nice, beautiful beach.
The hotel, the restaurants there are amazing, absolutely amazing. The
little tiki hut by the bar by the pool, they
just redid that and that is now a really cool spot.
The shopping in the hotel, though quite pricey, is also amazing.

(04:53):
You can find all kind of a just awesome stuff,
and some of the stuff isn't really that expensive, but
it just looks the high end and you can always say, well, well,
you know, I bought this at the writs, So people
are gonna think right now. You spend a boatload of
money on that thing. But anyway, this is if I'm
going to go to the Jacksonville area, this is where

(05:16):
I'm going. Okay, plain and simple. Uh, it's for an end.
Dino Beach is right there, and that's the little town.
There's a lot of stuff to do right there on
the little uh the town side of Amelia Island where
you see the see all the boats and the shrimp
boats and and all of that. And there's a ton

(05:37):
of shopping back there. I know we've bought some pictures
and uh, some chotsky stuff just so we can remember,
you know, our times there. So that was an absolute blast.
I enjoyed it. So anyway, so the I can't say enough.
I need to I need to move on, don't I.
So this the you can expect just luxury and spacious

(06:05):
rooms and suites. Now they're pricey. They're very proud of
their rooms and suites, many offering breathtaking ocean views, a
huge porches and decks and balconies whatever you want to
call them. The ones on the bottom floor you have
your own personal fire pit, on your own personal little
balcony or deck right there. The resort extensive amenities include

(06:29):
multiple swimming pools, a luxurious spa offering a variety of treatments,
and several exceptional dining options, rating from casual beach front
fare to elegant fine dining experiences. Beyond the resort's amenities,
guests can enjoy the island's natural beauty with opportunities for golfing, tennis,

(06:51):
exploring the unspoiled beaches. And it's pretty much a private
beach right there in front of the ritz too, So
you don't get the riff raff. Not a whole lot
of riff raff anyway, But just say you can. It's safe,
you can go, just chill, don't have to worry about it.
Don't have to keep an eye on your back when
you go on a walk. You know, you're not constantly
looking back over your shoulder. He's stealing my stuff anyway.

(07:13):
The pricing naturally reflects this level of luxury and varies
greatly depending on the season and room type. But expect
to pay a premium for this exceptional experience. And you listen,
I have a buddy of mine and he stays there
whenever he can, tries to use points, and it's you know,

(07:36):
we always have the talk, man is it a great
place to stay? But man is an expensive, so plan
that in advance. So save up a little money, a
little extra money here and there and absorb that cost.
So I usually go for a long weekend sometimes like
just right during the week, you know, like Tuesday through Friday.
That's perfect. That's perfect. So for a slightly different, yet

(07:59):
equally looks curious experience, consider One Ocean Resort and Spa.
That's the name of it. One Ocean Resort and Spa.
Located in Atlantic Beach, This ocean front resort is known
for its elegant design and breathtaking views. This resort contemporary
architecture is absolutely just. It's a cool place. It's complemented

(08:23):
by luxurious interiors, very sophisticated place, you know, but you
still get kind of a laid back ambiance. The One
Ocean Spa is particularly amazing. It is one of the
absolute highlights, offering an extensive menu of treatments design to

(08:45):
rejuvenate and revitalize. That's what spas for for so why
my wife goes as much as you can. Guests can
enjoy a variety of dining options from the resort signature
restaurant to casual pull side cafe. The resort's proximity to
the beach provides easy access to the ocean, making it

(09:05):
a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing beach vacation.
The One Ocean Resort and SPA also offers a range
of activities including yoga classes, fitness centers, concierge services to
plan day trips and excursions. Again, expect a higher price
point reflecting the level of luxury and service provided. Consider

(09:27):
it their packages and specials for potential value. Moving away
from the direct beachfront properties, you know, I want to
go back to the beach, but still firmly within the
luxury category, we find the Hotel Indigo in Jacksonville downtown.
While not offering the same ocean views, this hotel provided

(09:49):
provides a unique blend of modern design, local charm, and
reflecting a vibrant energy of Jacksonville's downtown area. Hotel indigoes
that's a holiday in as part of their conglomerate of hotels,
but this is on their upscale side. And there's one
here in the Charleston area, and it's it's like a

(10:09):
small resort and it's affordable. I mean, it's not cheap,
but you know, it's not quite in the realm of
the of the Ritz Carlton. So it's an awesome place.
And I've allly had nothing but good service and all
that kind of good stuff. So its location places guests
within easy walking distance of many of the city's cultural attractions, restaurants,

(10:33):
and entertainment venues. The hotels design incorporates elements of Jacksonville's
history and culture, creating a unique and memorable experience. The
rooms are stylish and comfortable. They offer a blend of
contemporary amenities and a lot of local artwork. The hotel
also typically offers a range of amenities, including a fitness center,

(10:56):
which you know, definitely want that sometimes when they I'm
not only hit it once, but at least I went once, right,
a rooftop bar you know what that checks a bops
right there, And a well regarded restaurant serving locally sourced
ingredients that checks another box. Compared to the Ocean Front resorts,

(11:17):
the Hotel Indego offers a more urban and culturally immersed
luxury experience at an often more accessible price point depending
on the season. Like I said, for those seeking the
more secluded and private luxury experience. Consider a stay at
high end vacation rental. You know, Jacksonville offers a number

(11:39):
of options, from lavish beachfront villas sign me up with
private pools and stunting ocean views, to elegant historic homes
in the city's most desirable neighborhoods. These properties come with
a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living areas, and multiple bedrooms,
making them ideal for families or groups traveling together, or

(12:00):
if you just want to go chill by yourself in
a nice, big beach house, this is the way you
do it. The advantage of a vacation rental is the
added space to privacy and flexibility often not found in
traditional hotel rooms. The price is going to be, you know,
it's going to be a little a little higher, and
it's going to vary totally depending on the size of

(12:22):
the house, the location of the house, the amenities that
come with the property, like the pool, Does it include
a golf cart, Does it include you know, beach toys
and all that kind of stuff, So you know, check
all that out, because sometimes one might seem a little
more expensive, but when you actually, you know, kind of
get into it, you realize I get all these other
things and it's not that much more expensive than this

(12:44):
bare bones deal over here. Websites specializing in luxury vacation
mentals often provide detailed photos, virtual tools, and guests reviews
to help you make an informed decision. And we're talking
Brbo Airbnb those places. Check those out. So beyond these examples,

(13:04):
several other luxury hotels and resorts called Jacksonville Home. It's
always advisable to conduct your own research based on specific
dates and your preferred amenities. This is all about you.
I know I have my opinions, I make that very clear,
but they're just my opinions. This is you need to
make your own decisions. I'm trying to give you information

(13:26):
so that you can make your own decisions. And I'm
trying to sway you to live your life the way
I do and the way I want to, so you
can be more like me. That's what it's all about.
I'm totally just kidding. I want you to be you,
because I'm just going to be me. Many travel websites,
that was ridiculous. Many travel websites provide detailed reviews, high
quality photos, convenience booking listen check them out. Check out

(13:49):
the reviews, all the reviews. Don't just hit the first
three or four that you see it on that first
page of the website. Dig into a little bit, go
through the first fifteen or twenty. Make sure that the
first three or four that might be five stars, that
suddenly there's a bunch of one stars, and why are
there one stars or two stars? There's usually a ride
up with each one. Make sure that they're consistent. That way,

(14:12):
you won't have any big surprises when you get there.
So when choosing your luxury accommodations, you know, consider your priorities.
Do you want to beach front, do you want to
be immersed in the culture. Is this bustling resort is
really busy or is it a quieter place? That's then

(14:32):
you decide what you want at that particular time. Always
book well in advance, especially during peak season. Sometimes, like
I said, you you know, you stay in a place
in June, you really liked it, you better go ahead
and book it for the next June if that's when
you want to go back. Because a lot of these places,
especially with the beach areas, they book up almost a

(14:54):
year in advance sometimes, So remember that don't get left
out in the cold. Don't lose your beach vacation and
end up having to go to I don't know Detroit.
I think Detroit's great, but that's not where I want
to spend my vacation. Your luxurious Jacksonville stay awaits. Now,

(15:14):
get together and start planning and get it done. We're
gonna talk more. We're gonna get into some night life
and some big time restaurants and things like that in
Jacksonville and some of the little towns around Jacksonville are
absolutely amazing. So I hope you guys enjoyed this. I
hope it was informative, and I will see you here
next time. God bless