What a Special Place

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey y'all, and welcome to All Things Jacksonville, your insider
guide to the first coast, largest and most dynamic city.
Whether you're in town for a weekend get away, or
visiting for business, or thinking of making this vibrant city
your new home, We've got you covered. We'll guide you
through how to get here, where to stay, and what

(00:21):
to do. From strolling miles of Atlantic coastline to exploring
diverse neighborhoods filled with arts, culture, and mouthwatering eats. Dive
into family friendly favorites like the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens,
or wander through the stunning Coomer Museum of Art and Gardens.
Be sure to check out the Riverside Arts Market, where locals,

(00:44):
local artisans, live, music and bites coverage under the Fuller
Warren Bridge every Saturday, craving sunset vibes, all in waterfront views,
a leisurely walk along the river walk, a visit to
the new renovated Friendship Fountain offers that picture perfect blend

(01:04):
of riverfront charm and city energy. So whether you've got
a few hours, a few fun field days, all Things
Jacksonville is your perfect companion to discover the heart culture
and unexpected magic of jacks Let's get exploring. Welcome back, everybody,

(01:25):
and let's head 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
and you guys that I guess I should say y'all
that want to head down there and visit. So this
is all about visiting. So we're trying to educate potential

(01:48):
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 land,
the weather. We've been through all of that, So let's
get into something really cool. When I go to a
place I really like, especially a vacation, I want to

(02:12):
stay a nice place, right, I mean, I'll forego some
activities so I can stay in a nice hotel or
a nice airbnb whatever. So is what I'm talking about
today is the luxury resorts and hotels in Jacksonville, because
there's a lot of them. For some reason, some people

(02:33):
don't always think of Jacksonville as 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 going to get into more of
that later on a different episode. But first of all,

(02:54):
you need home base, all right. So we're going to
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
least most of us. Sometimes you don't have a choice.

(03:14):
I 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 this little bitty room,
one bathroom. You're like, oh, you're tired, you want to

(03:35):
go out to dinner, but you're really too tired to
go out to dinner, and there's no 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,

(03:59):
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 exchellon of hospitality beyond
the typical chain hotels. Now we're going to find some
unique properties that offer experiences that are up in unparallel service.

(04:27):
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, and

(04:47):
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 one an

(05:09):
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. I

(05:29):
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 going to be kids there most of
the time, so it's very family friendly. Expect that. But

(05:51):
still just 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,

(06:15):
is also amazing. 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 RITS. 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,

(06:39):
this is where I'm going, Okay, plain and simple. Uh,
it's for the Endno 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

(07:00):
there's a ton of shopping back there. I know we've
bought some pictures and 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 move on, don't I.
So the you can expect just luxury and spacious rooms

(07:28):
and suites. Now they're pricey. They're very proud of their
rooms and sweets, many offering breath taking 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

(07:52):
multiple swimming pools, a luxurious spa offering a variety of treatments,
and several exceptional options, rating from casual beach front fare
to elegant fine dining experiences. Beyond the resorts amenities, guests
can enjoy the island's natural beauty with opportunities for golfing, tennis,

(08:14):
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 on Amelie Island 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. The pricing naturally reflects this

(08:38):
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 do listen. I have a
buddy of mine and he stays there whenever he can,
tries to use points and it's you know, we always

(09:00):
have the talk. Man is it a great place to stay?
But man is inexpensive, 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.

(09:20):
So for a slightly different, yet equally luxurious 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

(09:44):
a cool place. It's complemented by luxurious interiors, very sophisticated place,
you know, but you still get kind of a laid
back ambyonce. The One Ocean Spa is particularly amazing. It
is one of the absolute highlights, offering an extensive menu

(10:06):
of treatments designed to rejuvenate and revitalize. That's what's Fausrave 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 cafes. The resort's
proximity to the beach provides easy access to the ocean,

(10:28):
making it 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.

(10:50):
Consider it their packages and specials for potential value. Moving
away from the direct beachfront properties, 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 provides a

(11:13):
unique blend of modern design, local charm, and reflecting the
vibrant energy of Jacksonville's downtown area. Hotel indigoes it's a
holiday inn. It's 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 like a small resort,

(11:34):
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 all
had nothing but good service and all that kind of
good stuff. So it's location place as guests within easy
walking distance of many of the city's cultural attractions, restaurants,

(11:57):
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,

(12:20):
which you know, definitely want that sometimes I'm on vacation.
I'm not only hit it once, but at least I
went once, right, a rooftop bar you know what. That
checks a box right there, and a well regarded restaurant
serving locally sourced ingredients that checks another box. Compared to
the Ocean Front resorts, the Hotel Indego offers a more

(12:42):
urban and culturally immersed luxury experience at an often more
accessible price. Point depending on the season. Like I said,
for those seeking a more secluded and private luxury experience,
consider a stay at high end vacation rental. You know,
Jacksonville offers a number of options, from lavish beachfront villas

(13:06):
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 if you just want to go chill
by yourself in a nice, big beach house, this is

(13:27):
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 the house, the location of the house,

(13:48):
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 it 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 bare bones deal over here. Websites specializing in luxury

(14:11):
vacation medals often provide detailed photos, virtual tools, and guests
reviews to help you make an informed decision. And we're
talking vrbo, Airbnb, those places, so check those out. So
beyond these examples, several other luxury hotels and resorts called
Jacksonville Home. It's always advisable to conduct your own research

(14:34):
based on you know, 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 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

(14:54):
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 the reviews, all the reviews.
Don't just hit the first three or four that you

(15:16):
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, you won't have any big surprises

(15:36):
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 you decide what you want at
that particular time. Always book well in advance, especially during

(16:01):
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 year in advance sometimes, so
remember that, don't get left out in the cold. Don't

(16:23):
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, 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

(16:44):
and things like that in Jacksonville and some of the
little towns around Jacksonville are absolutely amazing. So I hope
you guys enjoy this. I hope it was informative and
I will see you here next time. God bless