Located on an expansive stretch of shell-covered beach, the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island doesn't just provide a beautiful beachside setting, it bends over backwards for families through a number of amenities and services that quickly made this property one of my favorite places to take the kids.

Just a short jaunt from Jacksonville's airport, as we drove over the bridge to reach Amelia Island, I was surprised by its appearance: more Hilton Head or Outer Banks than what I envision of a Florida beach area. Sleepy, with moss-lined palmettos shading its twisting quiet streets, it was apparent this was going to be a place we'd enjoy. Pulling up to the grand Ritz-Carlton, I warned my children that we were entering a nice hotel and asked (begged, really) for good behavior. From the moment we were greeted, I doubt any child behaving badly even receives an evil eye from the Ritz employees, as every staff member we encountered was friendly and had an offering for the kids, beginning with the pirate treasure maps at the reception area.

Pirates and a princess are big at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Pirates often came to these shores, and the island claimed for Spain was named for its Princess Amelia. Pirate and princess merchandise fill the gift shop, a pirate and princess explain the island's history during the nightly Pirate Toast in the lobby, kids can be tucked in by the princess and the pirate with bedtime pirate stories and cookies and milk, and programs for kids are themed around pirates and princesses.

As is the case in all Ritz-Carlton Hotels, this location features the Ritz Kids kids' program with camp-like activities offered to children ages 5 to 12 daily, and Our Space teen activities starting at 2 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Special evening programs and a family game room complete with a movie theater, Wii and Rock Band that converts into a teens'-only club, Our Space, at night ensure kids have plenty of activities -- and mom and dad can enjoy some time at the spa, on the golf course, or lounging poolside.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island completed a $22-million expansion in 2009 to finalize its location overlooking a bluff of dunes and the Atlantic Ocean. The 444 guestrooms include 42 suites and 43 Club Level rooms with ocean views, as well as two Presidential Suites and four Deluxe Oceanview Suites with oversized patios (that my son quickly pointed out were bigger and better than ours). Four on-site restaurants, a 27,500-square-foot spa and 18-hole PGA golf course complete the package.

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