Amelia Island Plantation is Florida's greenest resort. Nestled between verdant marshlands of the intra-coastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, this 1,350-acre, environmentally conscious development boasts a coastal wilderness filled with rustling palms, moss-draped oaks, native flora, and countless species of wildlife—jogging trails and bicycle paths cut through miles of these green woodland preserves.

Then there are the rolling greens of golf fairways: The three 18-hole courses here contain more holes directly on the ocean than any other Florida resort. Amelia Island Plantation also contains a world-class, 23-court tennis complex which hosts the Bausch & Lomb Championships; a health and fitness center with lap pool, sauna, and racquetball courts; and, worth the trip by itself, a sprawling spa that is absolutely gorgeous in a Zen-like way, with 25 treatment rooms and a peaceful meditation garden.

Pool area	Comfortable room

Salad greens? You'll find these, along with thick deli sandwiches and crisp, brick oven pizzas at Marché Burette, an old-fashioned gourmet food market and popular Plantation lunch spot. Ocean vistas and contemporary cuisine (with a Southern twist) make The Dining Room a favorite for dinner, along with The Verandah, a family style restaurant whose focus is firmly on fresh fish. Resort secret revealed: Best breakfast is at the Golf Shop Restaurant & Bar.

For those to whom green conjures the color of money, Amelia Inn features more than 50,000 square feet of function spaces, including large conference centers and smaller boardroom type facilities, all equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and teleconferencing capabilities.

Admittedly there are other colors at work here; most notably the azure blue ocean waters that splash upon miles of wide, shell-strewn, white sand beaches. Amelia also offers a two-tiered beachside pool and deck, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, and sailing. Lodging includes more than 670 guest accommodations, 249 of which are housed in the Amelia Inn & Beach Club and feature balconies with ocean views. More secluded one, two, and three bedroom villa units allow you to kick back with full kitchen, dining/living area, balcony and patio. Throughout the property, a friendly, hard-working staff (it's not easy being green) offers good old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

Going to Florida? Check out our Guide The Spa at Amelia Island Plantation