Amelia Island Hotel Offers New Ways to Enjoy the Island During Holidays

AMELIA ISLAND, FL--(Marketwired - Dec 12, 2014) - Those looking for a holiday getaway may find their answer in Amelia Island, Florida, where average December temperatures are in the 60s and new local tours and businesses have created fresh ways to spread holiday cheer with visitors. 

The Residence Inn Amelia Island, voted as the 2013 Chamber of Commerce's Large Business of the Year and ranked as the #1 hotel on the island on TripAdvisor, adds to the fun with newly-constructed Gingerbread Lane, a 3-part Christmas Village featuring a "Pause with Mr. Claus," "Holly Jolly Diner," and "Santa's Construction Junction." The first is a replica of Santa's den, furnished with a big red chair that the man himself will use during his December visits. The Holly Jolly Diner is a festive dining area decorated with a gingerbread house-inspired exterior. Santa's Construction Junction is a kids' dream workshop, with all kinds of crafts to create, stationary and mailbox for writing letters to Santa, and holiday-themed coloring books! Gingerbread Lane is the shining star of the hotel's holiday-themed lobby, complete with beloved Christmas tree, fireplace, Holiday Village decorative houses, and more.

In keeping with the fun, the Amelia Island hotel has created new packages for those looking for a memorable moment this season. Families will enjoy "Together for the Holidays," which includes Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, Hot Chocolate Spoons created by the property's catering team, and their choice of either a $50 Visa Gift Card or 2 adult tickets to a private horse-drawn carriage ride through historic Fernandina Beach. "Mistletoe Wishes" invites couples to cozy up with a $25 Dining Voucher, Hot Chocolate Spoons, and their choice of creating best-selling chocolate-covered popcorn, a wine-and-chocolate pairing, or chocolate martinis at the local Peterbrooke Chocolatier, 2 tickets to a private horse-drawn carriage ride through historic Fernandina, or 2 tickets to the island's newest foodie craze: a 2-hour Mixology Tour with Amelia Island Tasting Tours! The Fernandina Beach hotel also offers the lighter "Season's Greetings," which features an arrival gift of Hot Chocolate Spoons and Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark.

Amelia Island is bursting with holiday events for all ages, including the return of the famed S.S. Amelia Gingerbread Pirate Ship at nearby Ritz-Carlton, the Holiday Home Tour, Holiday Cookie Tour, the Lighted Christmas Tour, and several choral events throughout December. With everything on the island within a 20-minute drive, the holidays are easy on Amelia! 

About the Residence Inn Amelia Island
 The Residence Inn Amelia Island is located just 20 minutes off of I-95 and 30 minutes north of the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). The Marriott award-winning property features spacious studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas. Relax and reconnect by the cozy firepit on Tides Terrace. Explore the onsite entrance to Egans Creek Greenway, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Rent bikes at the front desk and head to nearby Fort Clinch State Park, or walk to the beach just 2.5 blocks away! Full hot complimentary breakfasts feature a new! Iced coffee bar and are the perfect way to start your day off right. Our free island shuttle can take you anywhere on the island and pick you up from 9am - 9pm. Designated pet-friendly suites offer furry family members a chance to vacation with their loved ones as well (call for pet policy information). The Residence Inn is Amelia Island's Treasure -- Discover Us!