The Villas of Amelia Island — Hotel in Fernandina Beach

Carlos, Revan and Tabitha were awesome! Had it not been for them, I would have given this a 1-star rating. I booked directly through the Omni Resorts, which then went to a third party, to reserve a 1 bedroom villa. We have three boys and felt, especially during COVID, having a kitchen and the added space would give us the flexibility to eat in and let the boys run around. We thought we were getting a kitchen, 2 QB and a pull-out couch. I asked the rep several times to verify that these were included in the price and she told me it was.

Instead, we arrived at the Omni (which was absolutely breathtaking) and checked into our room to be extremely disappointed. We booked in mid-Feb for our March arrival, and understood that most villas were sold out. We were fine being further down at the tennis villas with a nature view, but once we opened our room, it was sad. We were given what looked like a standard hotel room, with a wet bar, laundry, big bath and 2 QB. NO full kitchen, NO sofa bed, a balcony full of leaves and dirt, one tiny 40 inch tv, small desk, no dressers and absolutely no decor. Square tiled floors from the 80/90s, sterile off white walls, and white sheets -- looked like I was at an institution. I called front desk and initially was told this is what I signed up for and they had no control over what the third party said. We had bought so many groceries based on the fact we would have a kitchen and I thought this was unacceptable. Adjoining our room was another room that was locked, but we could see through the windows it had a kitchen. We were told we did not have access to the second room. The owners basically split their 2 bdrm into two 1 bdrm villas.

I explained the reason I booked via Omni as opposed to Hotels, VRBO, etc. is so I could use the resort amenities and expect some standard of service. Carlos explained to me that the 1 Bdrm villas are not available for viewing online, unfortunately, but the 2 and 3-bedrooms can be viewed ahead of time. They were pretty much sold out given it was Spring Bk. But the team was able to accommodate and find us an ocean front, 1 bedroom, 1 KG bed villa with a kitchen. I didn't care at this point if it was dated, but needed a pull-out and kitchen. Carlos offered it to us along with a roll-out bed at the Sea Dunes. I returned to front desk to exchange keys and was told there were problems with this 3rd party, so this wasn't surprising.

But I have to say, the team at the Omni is exceptional! They were so nice and followed up to ensure I was satisfied. When we opened the door to our new villa, we were AMAZED. Full kitchen, KG bed, laundry machine, huge dining table and family room, beautiful patio and view, 2 - 55 inch TVs with updated decor (quartz countertops, glass backsplash, laminate floor). We LOVED it and were beyond delighted. I offered to pay the difference and was told it was a $5 differential between the two villas. I emphasize this because both are classified as 1 BDRM villas, but they vastly range in quality. Please, please request to see a picture from Omni (call the resort directly if you have to) in advance.

However, the remainder of the stay was excellent! The pool is heated and felt like bath water, (its was in low 60s and kids could still go). They had a live Calypso band, activities for kids (free and at a cost), the beach is a few steps away, clean restrooms by the pool, food is delicious (but $$$), and shuttle service is reliable and at your door within 10 mins, until midnight. My husband enjoyed tennis and took private lessons from a tennis pro and thought it was money well-spent, the spa looked beautiful (but fully booked so schedule ahead of time), kids enjoyed putt-putt and the nature preserve. The resort has so much to offer and will definitely visit again. But if you do, please take the time to go into Fernadina and enjoy the charm, character and local restaurants. Thank you Omni Amelia for an...

Attached are some pictures of our 1 night stay at the villas of Amelia Island,  part of Omni hotels. As you can see from the pictures it was extremely filthy. When we arrived we were so excited to stay at such a beautiful hotel, boy what a disappointment.  To start off it took 30-45 minutes to check in. Computers were down or slow, so the couldn't swipe my card for incidentals; really! On top of that they couldn't figure out my reservation because it was made by a travel agent. Once this was figured out we were directed to our villa by Kinnon at the front desk.  By the way the credit card machine never came back up! We were told we were staying in villa #2, the building closest to the main hotel on the beach! We thought, GREAT on the beach, no another disappointment.  Trying to find the correct villa/room took another 45 minutes and we actually had to go back to the main hotel and be escorted to the right one! We were the 3rd villa from the hotel, we had to carry our bags too, no luggage carts. At this point we wasted 2 of the 4 hours we had left of daylight to explore the island. ||When we entered the room we were thoroughly disgusted, but didn't want to waste anymore time getting another room. There were bugs on the couch, locks were broken, the bathroom and floors were filthy. The pictures will back this up. The price that was charged for a night for this room is despicable! There is no way it should have cost more that $70 and yet it was probably 5x that amount. There should be some compensation made for this nasty villa. We have stayed in nicer hotels on the highway! ||These villas and the Omni hotels should NEVER be booked or recommended for anyone. We were appalled at the accommodations and will never stay at an Omni hotel. I believe my pictures will show the disgusting room we stayed in, the walkway getting to the room was no better. This was a terrible waste of money and Omni hotels should be ashamed. This review will be posted on the...

Attached are some pictures of our 1 night stay at the villas of Amelia Island, part of Omni hotels. As you can see from the pictures it was extremely filthy. When we arrived we were so excited to stay at such a beautiful hotel, boy what a disappointment. To start off it took 30-45 minutes to check in. Computers were down or slow, so the couldn't swipe my card for incidentals; really! On top of that they couldn't figure out my reservation because it was made by a travel agent. Once this was figured out we were directed to our villa by Kinnon at the front desk. By the way the credit card machine never came back up! We were told we were staying in villa #2, the building closest to the main hotel on the beach! We thought, GREAT on the beach, no another disappointment. Trying to find the correct villa/room took another 45 minutes and we actually had to go back to the main hotel and be escorted to the right one! We were the 3rd villa from the hotel, we had to carry our bags too, no luggage carts. At this point we wasted 2 of the 4 hours we had left of daylight to explore the island.

When we entered the room we were thoroughly disgusted, but didn't want to waste anymore time getting another room. There were bugs on the couch, locks were broken, the bathroom and floors were filthy. The pictures will back this up. The price that was charged for a night for this room is despicable! There is no way it should have cost more that $70 and yet it was probably 5x that amount. There should be some compensation made for this nasty villa. We have stayed in nicer hotels on the highway!

These villas and the Omni hotels should NEVER be booked or recommended for anyone. We were appalled at the accommodations and will never stay at an Omni hotel. I believe my pictures will show the disgusting room we stayed in, the walkway getting to the room was no better. This was a terrible waste of money and Omni hotels should be ashamed. This review will be posted on the...