The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is pleased to announce the appointment of Executive Pastry Chef Verousce McKibbin, an internationally trained pastry talent whose career has been shaped by global travel, mentorship from culinary masters, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, Florida's award-winning oceanfront destination, is undergoing a sweeping renovation that reimagines nearly every corner of the property, bringing a modern perspective to the island's rich cultural and natural heritage. The full transformation is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026, with several exciting milestones set to debut as early as November 2025.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is delighted to announce the appointment of Collin Thornton as Director of Food and Beverage. In this new role, Thornton will leverage his extensive culinary experience to lead all food and beverage operations for the resort, service staff, and back of house teams, while refining the guest experience across all seven dining outlets, overseeing culinary programming and events, and driving continued success for The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, celebrates today the significant milestone of its 500th hotel opening with the debut of SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island. The oceanside property is ideally situated in a pristine coastal location on Amelia Island, known as Florida's jewel of the Sea Islands. As travelers continue to seek under-the-radar destinations to escape the crowds, SpringHill Suites has introduced a number of notable new properties across charming coastal towns, from San Diego to Cocoa Beach, to offer tranquility on secluded beaches for a memorable summer excursion.
Since opening in 1991, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has remained at the forefront of Northeast Florida luxury with warm hospitality, nature-driven experiences and award-winning amenities. In honor of its 30th anniversary this year, the iconic barrier island resort will debut transformation that reflects the destination of unspoiled coastal beauty and Southern charm, an epitome of the classic beach vacation.
An industry veteran with a wealth of knowledge and passion, Cook's expertise and leadership will bring the guest experience to another level, further distinguishing the Amelia Island beach resort as the premier luxury hotel Florida's Northeast Coast. Cook most recently served as the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale where he led the luxury service experience and oversaw substantial enhancements to the property. His most recent projects there include the successful $17 Million nautically-inspired renovation of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale's guest rooms and Club Lounge, along with the launch of the sought-after dining destination, Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits. Prior to his time there, Cook was the General Manager of Eden Roc Renaissance where he aided in repositioning the iconic lifestyle property following a $230 million renovation.
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Fernandina Beach Amelia Island. Designed for travelers who want to enjoy the Suite Life, the hotel features 103 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Fernandina Beach Amelia Island is located on the northern most point of Florida's Atlantic Coast and complements the city's flourishing tourism industry, which hosted a record 690,100 overnight visitors last year*.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, a luxury oceanfront resort located in Northeastern Florida, has named Mike Block the new Director of Golf.