11 Best Luxury Hotels in Jacksonville FL

Jacksonville, also known as Jax by locals, is the most populous city in Florida. Ideally located on the Atlantic coast, the city is the ultimate destination for foodies, art enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and beach lovers alike. With its gorgeous beaches, culinary delights, and the great outdoors, Jacksonville has something that tickles every traveler’s fancy. Do you want to indulge in a luxurious, laid-back holiday? The city has something for you, too. We were pleasantly surprised to look at the sheer number of options for a luxury hotel in Jacksonville, FL, and it was nothing short of impressive.

Besides offering a wide range of amenities, they also ranged across styles to cater to all kinds of visitors. So, whether you’re headed here on a work trip, with the family, or on a romantic escapade, you’re in for a real treat. Here’s a detailed guide to the most indulgent stays in what is called the “Gateway to Florida.”

Marriott Jacksonville Downtown

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One of the most popular 5-star hotels in Jacksonville, Florida, the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown is located in the heart of Jacksonville. With comfy beds, good Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center, we could enjoy our summer vacation in this luxury hotel to the core. Thanks to the outdoor pool, we could cool off and take a much-needed break from all that humidity. If you don’t want to leave your pet behind, this hotel is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Jacksonville!

Meanwhile, the rooms offer a 42-inch flatscreen TV with digital channels, pay-per-view movies, and a private bathroom with a shower. So, there were days when we didn’t want to get out of bed and would easily stay in the room, ordering room service and enjoying Marriot’s famed hospitality.

Located in downtown Jacksonville, Marriott Jacksonville is within walking distance from popular tourist destinations like Times Union Center, Veteran’s Memorial Arena, Jacksonville Landing, and EverBank Field.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club

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There are many luxury hotels in Jacksonville, but this one has been setting the standard in luxurious vacations since 1920. Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is an award-winning hotel offering a luxurious getaway on a 300-acre beachfront site. What could be better?

This hotel was perfect for us as we love sports and outdoor activities. That’s because it offered everything from various sports to a range of outdoor activities, including seaside golf, tennis, fitness, cycling, swimming, and surfing. Besides its prime location on a beautiful beach, this 1928 Spanish colonial hotel’s amenities include the first-class Ponte Vedra Spa and a gorgeous golf course. When it comes to food and drinks, the pricey Seahorse Grille served delicious seafood, while the beachfront bar High Tides specialized in frozen drinks.

This hotel offers many room types, including oceanfront rooms and suites. The main building has been around since 1937 and has historic rooms. So, they had old-school but updated decor, but there were contemporary options as well. We loved the ocean hues of blues, greens, and sand in the rooms, along with mod-cons and swish bathrooms.

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

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Sawgrass Marriot Golf Resort & Spa offered us lagoon views for the perfect getaway. The resort was perfect for us as we wanted to spend time with our partners. So, its Ponte Vedra Beach location was perfect and romantic to the T. This luxury hotel gave us direct access to a swanky, high-end, private beach club, ensuring a fun sun-sand-and-sea-filled vacation.

But that’s not all. This marvelous resort also had a 25,000-square-foot luxury spa, where we pampered ourselves with massages and body treatments. Moreover, activities included a biking trail, beach volleyball, and mini-golf. When the hunger pangs called, we’d head to one of the three restaurants for meals, which also served delicious breakfasts, Sunday brunches, and cocktails.

As one of the best oceanfront hotels in Jacksonville, Florida, all the rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need and more. Each of them comes with a mini-fridge, a flatscreen LCD TV, an air-conditioner, a private balcony, and a coffee maker. The resort is next door to the famed TPC® Sawgrass Golf Club. 

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

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Since we wanted to stay in a luxurious chain hotel in Jacksonville, we couldn’t think of a place better than the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. This luxurious hotel sits in the heart of Jacksonville, along the river, and near many sports venues and the entertainment district. So, we were able to enjoy a combination of relaxation and adventure while we spent our vacation in this amazing city. On top of that, it’s also within walking distance of some popular tourist destinations, including the Florida Theater, Downtown Cigar Lounge, and Underbelly. In fact, the hotel even offered an airport shuttle, which took us to and from the airport. 

This Hyatt outpost boasted a ton of amenities, but our favorite was the rooftop pool. After a long day of exploring, we could enjoy a swim here, followed by a lounge and soaking in some excellent views. Aside from free Wi-Fi, the hotel also had a 24-hour fitness center and a free shuttle around the city center for a 4.8 km (3 mi) radius. What’s more, it featured three dining options, including a seafood restaurant, a casual grab-and-go one, and a cafe.

The rooms have views of the city and the river, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a coffee and tea maker, free Wi-Fi, and on-demand movies. Choose a room with a river view, with the Floridian landscape stretching as far as you can see.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville

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We had an early morning flight out of Jacksonville and wanted to spend the previous day in the lap of luxury close to the airport so we wouldn’t have to rush the next day. Located at the doorstep of Jacksonville International Airport, the Crowne Plaza Hotel was perfect for us. Since we were staying here, we were able to take advantage of the hotel’s airport shuttle and transportation, which ran for 24 hours. It saved us a lot of headaches, and we appreciated this teensy but important bit of luxury. Our favorite amenities at this hotel were the pool and fitness center, which we could use the entire day to unwind and relax before our long-haul flight. There was even an onsite restaurant and bar/lounge for all meals.

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The rooms all had free high-speed Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs with on-demand movies, hairdryers, and luxe bathrooms with rain showers. This hotel allows pets with a 75 USD non-refundable pet fee.

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront

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Best location. We wanted to stay in the heart of the town on the St. Johns River, so we stayed at the fantastic Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront. It sits right on the riverfront Downtown and is close to most of Jacksonville’s popular tourist destinations like the Museum of Science and History, Friendship Fountain, and Jesse Ball Dupont Park. Centrally located in the heart of the city, the hotel provides a perfect city view of Jacksonville.

We loved the DoubleTree because almost all rooms and suites have fabulous riverfront and sunset views. Nevertheless, all rooms boast comfortable beds, private balconies, free Wi-Fi, and modern and luxurious bathrooms. Moreover, they’re as spacious as they’re comfortable.

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Finally, we loved all the amenities at this Jacksonville hotel, especially in the food and beverage region. The food in the restaurants, especially for breakfast, is great. That said, the restaurants served all meals, including cocktails, so we really didn’t have to step out of the property if we didn’t want to. Our favorite was the riverside swimming pool, which offered spectacular views of the St. Johns River.

Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel

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Since we wanted to stay away from the bustle of the city center, we chose to stay at the Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel, which lies 20 minutes away in the northeastern part of the city. We loved this hotel’s cool and unique vibe, which is close to many notable destinations like St. Johns Town Center, TIAA Bank Field, and Jacksonville Beach. They made us feel very comfortable and pampered during our stay. We had the choice of many amazing rooms and suites, all of which made us feel right at home. What’s more, they all featured desks, cable/satellite TVs, tea/coffeemakers, and luxe bathrooms with bathrobes and rain showers or bathtubs. 

Meanwhile, this hotel’s amenities aren’t far behind regarding indulgence and comfort. Besides a 24-hour fitness center, the center of all attention is the indoor pool. Since the pool was indoors, we could enjoy a swim even when there was a nip in the air. Aside from free parking and free Wi-Fi, a bar and restaurant served delicious food, cocktails, and other tipples.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville

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The award-winning Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville might not be listed as one of Jacksonville’s 5-star hotels, but staying here certainly felt highly luxurious. Sitting right on Brightman Boulevard and close to St. John’s Town Center, the hotel was within walking distance of all the best sights in the city. What’s more, it was also within a stone’s throw of Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra, a golf course that held The Players Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s signature events.

Furthermore, this luxury hotel in Jacksonville, FL, has plenty of convenient amenities, including high-speed internet, a 24-hour fitness center, and free parking. What’s more, they even offered a complimentary breakfast despite not having an onsite restaurant. The outdoor swimming pool is a guest favorite, and it’s easy to see why. We even spent a day by the pool, swimming and lounging on the daybeds. There was even a business center to cater to those who were here for work.

If you were impressed by the amenities, wait until you see the rooms and suites. They included flatscreen TVs, coffee and tea makers, and luxe bathrooms. Not to mention, the rooms’ atmosphere was very homey and comfortable.

The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island

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Best oceanfront luxury. Staying by the oceanfront in Jacksonville couldn’t get any more luxurious than at The Ritz Carlton. This classic seaside retreat sat on a barrier island off Florida’s northeastern coast and was the perfect romantic getaway while visiting the city. Plus, we wanted to explore the historical places nearby, too, and the hotel even arranged for us to visit the Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island Historic District, and Fernandina Beach.

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The setting of the resort is purely magical, with manicured lawns, alfresco seating, a pristine white-sand beach, and spectacular ocean views. We encountered Southern hospitality at its finest and were greeted by our names everywhere we went. When we wanted to unwind, we headed to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island, which offers some of the most indulgent treatments. There are two swimming pools where we could swim in and lounge, as well as a hot tub and a 24-hour fitness center. Finally, there are five restaurants that serve every cuisine under the sun.

“We loved our luxurious stay at this Amelia Island Ritz outpost, especially with the beachfront and the high-end and luxury amenities.”

WOW Travel

All rooms and suites here featured patios with either coastal or ocean views, nautical-themed hues, and lots of light wood accents. We loved the white marble bathrooms with rain showers, but our suite even had a freestanding tub. 

One Ocean Resort & Spa

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Most kid-friendly. One Ocean Resort & Spa boasts direct access to the beach, with a distinct ocean influence, attention to detail, and excellent personal hospitality. The white sand beach out front is surprisingly uncrowded and vast, and the Beaches Town Center is within walking distance.

We absolutely loved the staying experience and amenities at this luxurious resort. The spa offered some excellent marine-inspired treatments, like seafoam development and seashell massages. After a body treatment, head to the pool for a swim before lying on the daybeds and sipping a cocktail. Or, you could spread a towel and lie on the beach (beach chairs have a surcharge). We even had personalized butlers and docents taking care of all our whims and fancies. Families with kids will especially have a great time since there’s the Sea Turtles Kids Club, where little ones will be kept busy and engaged while the adults unwind by the pool or in the spa. Finally, the onsite restaurant with ocean views served delicious meals.

Choose from 193 rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and ocean views, marine-inspired decor, personalized minibars, LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi. We were most impressed by the heat-activated sensors, which alert the concierges about when we were in the room so as not to disturb us.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

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Best overall. A 45-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is one of the only two luxury resorts on the island. This four-diamond oceanfront resort on the Floridian coast is an ode to nature and offers inimitable and warm Southern charm.

The resort is uber-luxurious, but the vibe is far from pretentious. As we drove up the gorgeously untamed grounds with Spanish moss-adorned live oaks, the blues of the Atlantic Ocean came into view. We loved unwinding at the many pools, including a family pool with a splash pad and an adults-only pool with a hot tub. What’s more, the resort spares no expense in terms of the other amenities, too, including a 10-hole golf course, an arcade-cum-surf shop-cum-pizzeria, and multiple restaurants. There’s even a seafood restaurant, a sunrise cafe, and even a beach bar and grill. Don’t miss the amazing breakfast buffets here. Finally, the spa offers a host of excellent treatments; try the signature Quartz Sand Table massage.

All rooms and suites here have ocean views, and they’re striking. In addition to the vistas, the rooms have luxe bathrooms with bathtubs, plush beds, and swish mod-cons. For indulgence, book the homes, condos, or residence villas.

Our Verdict!

While we love all hotels on this list, this specialized list will help you decide where to choose to stay:

• Best overall: Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
• Best location: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront
• Most kid-friendly: One Ocean Resort & Spa
• Best oceanfront luxury: The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island

Where To Stay in Jacksonville, FL?

Jacksonville is the largest city in the country in terms of geography, so you need to decide where you’re going to stay. You can’t go wrong by staying in downtown Jacksonville. Apart from being home to some excellent hotels in Jacksonville, Florida, there are also some famous tourist attractions in the downtown area that you can enjoy. If you love art, the Museum of Contemporary Art displays more than 1,000 contemporary art pieces for you to see. For those who want to bring their families to learn science and history, the Museum of Science & History offers hands-on learning about science and history in the universe.

However, if you want to stay in a quieter area, we recommend spending your days in Southpoint. Those visiting Jacksonville with their families love this neighborhood as it has plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep everyone busy. In addition to that, there’s San Marco, which offers you that upscale, trendy feel. Looking for a luxury hotel in Jacksonville, FL, is a breeze when you’re here, and it’s also home to some of the city’s top restaurants. Best of all, it’s only minutes away from downtown. Lastly, you can consider staying around The Beaches. The tree-lined streets in this area will lead you to miles of sand. If you love surfing or want a quick tanning session, you’ll want to spend your days around here.

What is the best month to visit Jacksonville, Florida?

The best times to visit Jacksonville are September-November and March-May.

Does Jacksonville get cold?

Even in winter months, the average low-temperature dips to the mid-40s Fahrenheit. In fact, it rarely dips below freezing or snows in the city. 

Why is Jacksonville so popular?

Jacksonville is the largest city in the country in terms of geography and encompasses the Lowcountry, high fashion, river, beach, and oceanfront. So, there’s a lot to do, including historic attractions and outdoor activities.