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The dinner-and-a-spa splurge. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is the region's only Forbes Four-Star hotel, and its spa and Salt, the restaurant, are Four-Star too.
It's on the ocean, 446 rooms, most with a balcony. AAA rates it Four Diamond.
It's also on Amelia Island, 27 miles from the airport by Marriott's count, with no shuttle to anything. Valet is $50.
Book Salt first, then the room, then the car to Dames Point.
Book it if
- Couples who want the best dinner in the area the night before
- Anyone who wants a spa morning
- Dog owners
Look elsewhere if
- You want a short drive to the ship.
- You'd rather not pay $50 for valet.
What you’re paying for, and what you’re not
A splurge is worth it when you know exactly what the extra money buys. Green is on offer, gold comes with a cost or a catch, and grey isn’t there or isn’t stated.
Your night before, from here
From check-in to the gangway, using only what The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island publishes.
Salt, Forbes Four-Star and MICHELIN-recommended, does dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Coast and Tidewater Grill cover the easier nights, the Lobby Bar has live music until midnight, and Dune Bar sits on the sand. The spa is Forbes Four-Star too. 446 rooms, the deluxe ones oceanfront with a balcony.
No port shuttle is published, and no airport shuttle either. A taxi or rideshare covers the trip.
Not free. Coast serves breakfast from 7 to 11:30 AM.
The hotel gives no distance to the JAXPORT cruise terminal. Marriott puts the Jacksonville airport 27 miles away. Your cruise line’s documents name your terminal and check-in window.
Valet only, $50 a day. The hotel doesn't mention cruise parking.
Getting here, and on to the ship
Pick where you’re coming from. Solid lines are rides the hotel publishes; a question mark is a leg you’ll arrange yourself. At a splurge hotel, that’s usually the morning ride.
No shuttle. Marriott puts JAX 27 miles away.
No port shuttle is published, and no airport shuttle either.
The hotel gives no distance to the JAXPORT cruise terminal. Marriott puts the Jacksonville airport 27 miles away.
From JAX without a hotel shuttle
zTrip runs the airport taxis from booths outside baggage claim and publishes no fares; Rome2Rio puts a cab to the cruise terminal at $28 to $35. Rideshare picks up on the lower arrival curb at Poles 1 and 2. Hotel shuttles use the north end of the upper departures curb.
Valet only, $50 a day. The hotel doesn't mention cruise parking.
Parking for your stay: Valet only, $50 a day.
No port shuttle is published, and no airport shuttle either.
The hotel gives no distance to the JAXPORT cruise terminal. Marriott puts the Jacksonville airport 27 miles away.
Landing on sail morning instead? Some cruise lines and shuttle companies run straight to the terminals; see the airport page and the landing check.
Distance
No distance statedThe hotel gives no distance to the JAXPORT cruise terminal. Marriott puts the Jacksonville airport 27 miles away.
Source: ritzcarlton.comCruise shuttle
No shuttle statedNo port shuttle is published, and no airport shuttle either.
Source: ritzcarlton.comParking while you sail
At the hotel
Cruise parking unconfirmedValet only, $50 a day. The hotel doesn't mention cruise parking.
Source: ritzcarlton.comThe port’s own lot
$17 a cruise nightIf the hotel won’t hold your car, park at the port on sail morning.
JAXPORT’s own lot is next to the terminal building: $17 a day with Florida sales tax included, or $68 for a 4-day cruise. Oversized vehicles are $34 a day.
It takes credit cards only, and no new prepaid reservations since June 22, 2026, so you pay when you arrive. The lot opens at 7:15 AM, and a golf cart runs you and your bags to the door. Compare every parking option.
Source: cruiseparking.jaxport.comThe night you’re paying for
The evening
Oceanfront · Pool · Food or drinks on siteSalt, Forbes Four-Star and MICHELIN-recommended, does dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Coast and Tidewater Grill cover the easier nights, the Lobby Bar has live music until midnight, and Dune Bar sits on the sand. The spa is Forbes Four-Star too. 446 rooms, the deluxe ones oceanfront with a balcony.
Breakfast
Not freeNot free. Coast serves breakfast from 7 to 11:30 AM.
Address
Amelia Island, on the ocean4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
Hotel website
Ratings
AAA Four DiamondAAA rates it Four Diamond, and Forbes Travel Guide rates it Four-Star. Both lists are for 2026.
Source: newsroom.aaa.comThe fine print, in one place
Times, fees, rooms and the small stuff, as The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island publishes it. Where it says “not stated”, the hotel doesn’t say, and a quick call will settle it.
Check-in and check-out
Minimum age
To check in, per the hotel.
Resort fee
None stated on the page we read
Wi-Fi
Free
Parking for your stay
Valet only, $50 a day
Cruise parking is in the parking section above.
Breakfast
Paid; Coast, 7–11:30 AM
Pool
Outdoor pool and hot tub, with a pool lift
Pets
Two dogs, 50 lb, $250 a stay.
Food and drink on site
- SaltForbes Four-Star, MICHELIN-recommended; Tue–Sat dinner
- CoastSeafood, steaks and small plates; all day
- Tidewater GrillLowcountry classics
- The Lobby BarLive music; sushi until 10 PM
- CoquinaLatin seafood
- Dune BarOn the beach, seasonal
Rooms
446 rooms and suites; oceanfront deluxe kings with balconies; Club Level.
Accessibility
Mobility-accessible rooms with roll-in showers.
On site
- EV chargingYes
- Guest laundryYes
- Fitness centerYes
- Pets allowedYes
Also worth knowing
- Forbes Four-Star hotel, spa and restaurant (Salt)
- AAA Four Diamond
- On-site golf and tennis
Before you book
Worth knowing
- Valet only, $50 a day.
- Salt is closed Sunday and Monday.
- Check-in 4 PM, check-out 11 AM. The primary guest must be 21.
What we couldn’t confirm
- Distance and drive time to the port
- Cruise parking
- A resort fee; none is stated on the page we read
Rates and policies are as the hotel published them on September 25, 2026. Confirm anything you’re counting on when you book.
The other splurges near the port
Wake up across the river from the ship.
Tell us your sail date and we’ll check The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for the night before. No payment on the form.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island FAQ
Is The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island a luxury hotel?
AAA rates it Four Diamond, and Forbes Travel Guide rates it Four-Star. It's the only Forbes Four-Star hotel in the area, and its spa and Salt, the restaurant, are Four-Star too.
Does The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island have a cruise shuttle?
No. No port shuttle is published, and no airport shuttle either.
Does The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island have an airport shuttle?
Not that it publishes. No shuttle. Marriott puts JAX 27 miles away.
Can I park at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island while I cruise?
It doesn't say. Valet only, $50 a day. The hotel doesn't mention cruise parking.
How far is The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island from JAXPORT?
The hotel gives no distance to the JAXPORT cruise terminal. Marriott puts the Jacksonville airport 27 miles away.
Booking the cruise too?
Tell us your dates and we'll line up the ship, the hotel and the ride. A real advisor does the work. No obligation.
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