Housed in a $24 million, down-to-the-cinder blocks renovation of the former Sea Turtle Inn, One Ocean is arguably the area’s most sumptuous of vacation sites. In keeping with its edge of the Atlantic Ocean locale, planners developed a marine themed respite, from the spectacular sea-inspired sculptures that greet visitors in the main lobby, down to the blue – not red – message lights on guestroom telephones.
“Virtually every aspect conveys an ocean feel,” says One Ocean Spokesperson Bonnie Phillips Upright, adding that the luxury resort is the first in Remington Hotels new signature Gallery Collection.
Each of resort’s 193 guestrooms offers floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean, mood lighting, custom-designed One Ocean mattresses and personalized refreshment cabinets offering snacks and drinks at no additional charge (excluding alcoholic beverages). Reservationists ask guests about their snack and beverage preferences, which will remain in a database for return visitors' future stays. And a docent teams help with help with every request from scheduled tee-times to warm cookies and milk delivered just before young traveler’s bedtime, even private plane arrangments.
Luxury meets technology in heat-activated sensors that tell docents and cleaning service personnel whether guests are in their rooms so as not to disturb them. Each room also features iPod docking stations (blue, of course) and free high speed Internet access.
Special touches like these earned One Ocean the American Society of Interior Design’s Legacy Award for room design even before the resort opened – an unprecedented honor. And for a truly unique touch, guests can ask for the John Grisham suite, named in honor of the famed novelist whose books often mention area locales (especially nearby Pete’s Bar, a decades-old institution). Grisham and his young son spent many a spring baseball season in Atlantic Beach.
The 2.1 million, five-star spa is the area’s only oceanfront spa, offering views of the Atlantic from several of its treatment rooms. Spa staff use marine-based Phytomer skincare products and treatment rooms are named for the lifecycles of the sea turtle. Speaking of, the popular sea shell massage features warm, smooth, oiled seashells that glide over and soothe tight muscles and proceeds benefit the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of endangered marine turtles in Duval County.
Guests often cap the night with dinner at the Azuréa restaurant offering contemporary coastal cuisine with the flavors of Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. Its lounge and oceanfront deck are popular nightspots for both visitors and locals and are frequented by Jacksonville Jaguars and PGA Tour players.
Despite its ultra-chic atmosphere, One Ocean is kid- and pet-friendly as well. Little travelers will have a ball at the Sea Turtle Kids Club, which offers outdoor movie nights, bedtime stories, water sports, art and photography classes and sandcastle building lessons from a professional sandcastle artist (yes – it’s a real job, apparently). And four-legged travel companions enjoy veterinarian-approved Haute Pet Cuisine - just another subtly over-the-top amenity that makes One Ocean a top choice.
Devan Stuart - Devan Stuart is a longtime journalist and five-time Florida Press Association Award winner.
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