We enjoyed a complimentary stay at The Addison, an Amelia Island bed and breakfast in Fernandina Beach, Florida. All opinions are my own.
Every so often, I crave a trip to a coastal destination, one where the waters are polka-dotted with sailboats and where there’s an abundance of peel-and-eat shrimp.
So when we set our sights on the picturesque destination of Amelia Island, I knew only one thing could make this trip better — a bed and breakfast.
And not just any B&B. This trip included a stay at The Addison on Amelia Island, a quintessential bed and breakfast experience that blends timeless elegance with modern, airy comfort. Located in the charming Historic District of Fernandina Beach, the inn is surrounded by Victorian-era architecture and is within walking distance of all the coastal town has to offer.
The inn is adorned with pineapple light posts and sidelights, fulfilling the symbolic meaning of a pineapple in the South—hospitality. Innkeepers Lisa and Ron are the perfect hosts, friendly and enthusiastic about life on Amelia Island.
Breakfast & Happy Hour
A stay at The Addison begins with an exceptional breakfast in the dining room or on the courtyard veranda. Breakfast showcases the best of local and seasonal ingredients, including produce from the Fernandina Beach farmers market. Each morning, guests are treated to a spread featuring fresh fruit, homemade baked goods and dishes prepared with herbs from the inn’s garden. The B&B also accommodates food allergies with advanced notice.
In the evenings, guests are invited to unwind with wine or beer on the veranda overlooking the garden — the perfect start to a night out in Fernandina Beach.
Luxury Amenities & Green Practices
The main building of The Addison, constructed in 1876, boasts the area’s gorgeous Victorian-inspired architecture. The two additional houses on the property, built in 1996, seamlessly blend with the original structure and offer more rooms for guests.
Each room at The Addison has a private en-suite bath and upscale amenities, including down-filled pillows, Turkish towels and eco-friendly bath products to ensure your stay is both comfortable and sustainable. This bed and breakfast shows its love for the coastal landscape by implementing environmental best practices related to water conservation, energy efficiency, and recycling. The B&B has water available in the courtyard, so bring a refillable water bottle (or purchase one in the inn’s gift shop).
The Addison goes above and beyond to make your stay on the island memorable. Complimentary concierge services are available to help you plan your recreational activities, dining experiences and even massages. For beachgoers, the inn provides complimentary towels, umbrellas and folding chairs. The inn’s bikes are the perfect way to explore the historic district.
The perfect location
The Addison is perfectly located in the heart of Fernandina Beach, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, art galleries and the marina. Although it’s one block from the main street in Fernandina Beach, the B&B is a quiet haven from the buzz of downtown. A few steps from the front porch, you’ll find live music from local bars and restaurants.
The island has endless options for play, including tours of the rivers and marshes (with Amelia River Cruise), sailboat excursions (with Windward Sailing), kayaking (with Amelia Kayak Excursions), paddleboarding, golfing, cycling and horseback riding. We also recommend visiting Boneyard Beach (pictured below) and Fort Clinch State Park.
For sailboat excursions, we highly recommend Windward Sailing. We booked a sunset tour during our stay, and despite the wind and rain, we had the best time. The owners, Roelie and Sharon, are witty and delightful, and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and expertise of the island.
Speaking of island expertise, I became an expert on all things food during our island adventure. Here’s a list of recommendations from locals and yours truly:
*denotes restaurants we’ve visited, loved and recommend (my favorites are in bold)
- España Restaurant and Tapas* — try the pimientos de padron, papas bravas and paella marinera
- Mezcal* — order granpa’s margarita
- Beech Street Grill* — the service and food are outstanding
- Timoti’s Seafood Shak* — the salads are healthy and amazing
- GoJuice* — add peanut butter to your açaí bowl
- The Boat House* — we loved the live music
- The Patio on 5th and Ash* — this was one of my favorite meals
- The Salty Pelican* — a seafood dive near the marina
- Pogo’s Kitchen — fine dining
- David’s Restaurant and Lounge — fine dining
- Burlingame Restaurant — fine dining
- DeNucci’s Ice Cream* — the portions are large, get yourself a kiddie cup
- Vintage Donuts — get your local donuts before they sell out
- 1928 Cuban Bistro* — the ropa vieja is excellent
- Mocama Coffee* — perfect for an afternoon reading retreat
- Amelia Island Coffee* — the best iced latte to sip while strolling downtown
- The Decantery — cocktail bar
- Wicked Bao — the best Asian street food on the island
- Garden Street Bistro* — great for brunch and lunch
- The Happy Tomato — a local lunch spot
- Fantastic Fudge* — the best ice cream on Centre Street
So many options, so little time! But that’s okay, you can book your stay at The Addison for however long you’d like. One thing is for sure, a stay on Amelia Island is not complete without a stay at The Addison. So book your trip and tell Lisa and Ron we say hello.
Looking for more B&Bs? Check out our favorite stays.