By Cathy H. Burroughs, International Travel Writer & Adventure Blogger, journeyPod
Just over the Georgia border and east of the city of Jacksonville, Florida is the 22 miles of wide, white uncrowded Jax Beach – a mere five plus hour drive from Atlanta or a reasonably priced one-hour trip on Southwest Airlines. It was here in the height of the 20’s that the very rich, the very famous, and just about everyone else flocked to the “World’s Finest Beach.”
Gracing the dunes practically right on the beach is the imposing one of a kind historic oceanfront Casa Marina Hotel – a time capsule, providing direct access to the exoticism and glamour of this bygone era. It doesn’t take much to imagine the likes of Jean Harlow, Charlie Chaplin and even Al Capone passing through the corridors or dancing the night away to the Charleston, Black Bottom or Fox Trot in the gleaming hallways and salons of this Spanish hacienda style hotel listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.
Nearly a century later, the last remaining building standing from the prohibition era has been lovingly restored. Each room has fixtures and decorative touches that reflect the hotel’s different time periods with 23 (21 have ocean views) uniquely designed boudoir deluxe rooms and parlor suites. Suitable for a movie set, the dramatic and evocative grand ballroom or salon with alfresco courtyard festooned with paper lanterns under the starry night sky, against the backdrop of the crashing sea couldn’t be more perfect for the more than 150 weddings and special events that take place each year.
Our first night there we enjoyed crab cakes and the fruit plate in the penthouse restaurant/lounge watching the fireworks and our accommodating DJ made the switch from fusion to Motown without missing a beat. Sunday’s multi-coursed eight seating buffet with mimosas just named “Jax’s best” by Void Magazine, was understandably packed. With primo prime rib (divine!), paella, fried green tomatoes, a decorative and photogenic epic Red Snapper (8-10 are served each weekend) and more delectable food choices than anyone could possibly eat in one sitting.
The previous night we took the short walk to the hotel’s sister sports bar and eatery with surround flat screens Zeta’s. The menu included scrumptious flat bread pizzas (we couldn’t resist and took one to go!), outstanding Greek salads, and much more with twenty home brewed and specialty beers, lagers and ryes with names like Ruby Beach and Power to the Porter. That night the Jacksonville Jaguars won, so life was good.
A short 12 minute walk takes you to the Beaches Museum & History Park for a fascinating historic display with park and replica houses and locomotive in and around its strikingly contemporary building. During the summer months a free trolley will carry you from place to place with surfing, hiking and biking all a short distance away.
On Sunday morning we dashed the 45 minutes back to enchanting Amelia Island for an exceptionally fun and adventurous Craig Cat catamaran group tour, two to a boat – essentially like a go cart on the water. For 3 1/2 hours we zipped, doughnuted and joy rode the wave caps, crossing the lines to both Georgia and Florida twice, navigating Egan’s Creek, past Fort Clinch and on to Cumberland Island. Here on the island where JFK Jr. married are 150 wild ponies, wild turkeys, aardvarks and the ruins of the Carnegie castle. On our last day we went over one or two of the many bridges that make Jacksonville “the city of bridges,” making the 30 minute ride to the surprisingly progressivedowntown and spectacular not to miss Museum of Contemporary Art.
Speaking of not to miss: the Casa Marina Hotel is still the place to stay on the beach and has witnessed it all – when everything and anything seemed and was possible. We’re happy to report this remarkable “Grande Dame” of the beach is still loaded with history, still stunning and still going strong!
Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant
691 First Street North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
904-270-0025
www.casamarinahotel.com
Big thank you to the fabulous Leigh Cort of Leigh Cort Publicity, Christine Hoffman of the Beaches History Museum, the Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art, Sunny and the team at Zeta Brewing, Allen Elefterion, Rob and Bobby at Backwater Adventure Amelia Island (BackwaterAdventureAmelia@gmail.com), and last but not least, the wonderful Grace Palafox and the wonderful and welcoming Casa Marina Family.
Cathy H. Burroughs is a noted international travel writer who is published widely.
