The Best Beach Resort in Jacksonville: One Ocean Resort

Seems my husband’s car is spending more time at the airport parking lot than at home as he travels for business. And I’ve added my share of miles to my frequent flyer accounts this year. But together? We haven’t had more than a four-day weekend all year. And with no beach trip we were really missing having our toes in the sand and a cool adult beverage in our hands.

We still didn’t pass get past the four-day mark, but we did have a wonderful late summer weekend getaway to Jacksonville. Our stay at One Ocean Resort was relaxing and rejuvenating. We felt no pressure to do much of anything, and met that goal nicely, spending a lot of quality time on our 7^th floor balcony taking in the view of crashing waves and changing tides below.

We parked our car when we arrived, and didn’t get back in it until we left three days later. With lots of restaurants just a short walk away, we were covered for meals. The first night we dined at Sliders Seafood Grille, where we had excellent service and two delicious entrees, including its signature dish of butternut grouper, which earned a place on our most beloved dishes.

Saturday night we dined at One Ocean’s beautiful fine dining restaurant Azurea.  We dined on coconut and lime lobster bisque, a ribeye and sea bass. All yummy, although the chef informed us a lot of the menu will change in the next few weeks.

Feeling a need for a break from rich food, we had lunch the next day at North Beach Fish Camp. We got our ceviche fix, and two variations of tuna: seared yellow fin tuna with a sesame salad and an Asian chopped tuna salad. Healthy and delicious.

I spent a blissful couple of hours in The Spa at One Ocean, which has the best view from its relaxation room ever, the Atlantic Ocean from the second floor. It’s almost enough to just sip tea and sit here. Almost ….

My two-hour Citrus Sensation treatment included a massage, scalp treatment and full body exfoliation followed by a vichy shower to wash it all away. Now I know what strawberries feel like at the bottom of the colander when I’m rinsing them off.

At over a five-hour drive, a trip to Jacksonville does involve time in the car. But it was a perfect weekend getaway, and one we vow to repeat at least once every year.

Check dates and availability at Booking.com.