The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Family Activities

Pirate Tuck-Ins
Let the kids enjoy a private bedtime story with Captain Luis Aury, Princess Amelia and Amelia's Treasure, a blue-and-yellow Macaw), who arrive to your room at your requested time bearing pirate booty and milk and cookies. The Princess reads the kids a story before showing them their chest full of loot -- a pirate activity book, beach pail and toys, and more. Of course they are happy to pose for photos before they leave. The tuck-ins are scheduled between 7 and 10 p.m., every half hour, nightly and require 24-hour advanced reservations. $45 per child.

Our Space
Created for visitors of all ages, Our Space is a list of activities for families, as well as the name of the space that teens can call their own. During the day, teen concierges young enough to fit in with the teens 13 to 17 lead Thursday through Saturday activities, such as bike rides, tennis and golf lessons, beach games and more. (During our visit, I had no clue there were any teens present at the resort until I stumbled upon a group late in the evening!) Our Space becomes a nightly haven for teens from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly in two rooms featuring Wii, computer games, Rock Band, ice hockey and a beanbag filled movie theater. (Pop next door to Eight for free popcorn.) During the day, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., families can enjoy the space together.

Ritz Kids
For children 5 to 12, a private playroom and kids' program keep kids entertained for supervised morning, afternoon or full-day programs that include arts and crafts, swimming, visits to the beach and more, while mom and dad enjoy some alone time. Saturdays are Pirate Days with treasure hunts, cannon ball games and visits from pirates. Full-day programs include lunch and run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ($85 for the first child, $75 for each additional child). Half-day programs are 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. ($55 for the first child, $50 for each additional child. Optional lunch $15.) Every Friday and Saturday night, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Kids Night Out program provides dinner and fun while mom and dad dine on their own. ($55 for the first child, $50 for each additional child. $15 per hour to extend services to 11 p.m. Advanced 24-hour reservations required.)

Island Adventures
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island provides transportation and tour guides for a number of off-property excursions, with 24-hour advanced reservations. Surfing Lesson on the gentle breaks is offered for 90 minutes ($120 adults; $100 children 14 and under). Salt Walking Kayaking three-hour guided tours are offered to all ages for $85 per person. The American Beach Bike Tour travels around the island for a two-hour tour of American Beach and Amelia Island's oldest neighborhoods ($35 per person). Two-hour tours of historic Fernandina Beach, Ft. Clinch, Talbot Island or Kingsley Plantation are also offered ($35 per person). Bicycles can also be rented at the fitness center for your own island exploration ($8 for one hour, $20 for four hours, or $30 for eight hours). The hotel can also arrange for deep-sea and backwater fishing, horseback riding on the beach and tours of neighboring Cumberland Island, Ga.

Tennis
The resort's newly renovated clay courts are available for play as well as lessons and drill clinics. No racket? Rent one and balls for $7. Court fees are $25 per hour. Individual lessons are $40 for a half hour or $60 for an hour; semi-private are $80 per hour; groups of three or more are $25 per person, per hour. From 10 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m., adult drill clinics are provided ($40 for one, $35 for two, or $25 for three or more players). There is also a full-service pro shop on site.

Pools
The resort features four pools, although the Spa Pool is only available to spa visitors and ages 18 and up ($25 per day if not receiving treatments). An indoor pool is used mostly for adults swimming laps in the early morning but was mostly quiet during our visit. The Ritz Kids took the kids to the indoor pool and they loved it so much they asked me to leave the main outdoor pool and adjoining children's pool to play inside. The children's pool is a wading pool with fountains next to a children's playground but my young ones preferred to use the "adult" pool, which was filled with families. The Ocean Bar & Grill serves up lunch, snacks and drinks (including smoothies for the kids wondering why mommy gets a daiquiri and they don't), and on weekends, live music such as steel drum bands or Jimmy Buffett-style singers perform during the day.