Why Guests Keep Coming Back to The Addison

Our stunningly beautiful Amelia Island draws visitors from around the world, with its beaches, waterways, green spaces, and historic downtown. But what draws people to choose The Addison when they’re deciding where to stay on Amelia Island? More importantly, what brings them back year after year?

After buying the bed and breakfast in December 2017, Ron and I welcomed both new visitors and returning guests—many of whom had been coming to The Addison for years. When guests started traveling again and decided to return to The Addison on Amelia Island, we were pleasantly surprised to see that our percentage of repeat guests nearly doubled compared to 2019!

That made us wonder what inspired guests to keep returning to our charming B&B. Was it the upgrades and changes we’ve made since we bought the inn? Was it our for-guests-only special events? Was it the special twist we put on holidays throughout the year, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Ron and I decided to go straight to the source—we asked some of our repeat guests why they chose The Addison when they felt comfortable traveling again. Here’s what just a couple of our repeat guests shared with us:

From Len and Jodie Cyrlin of Bluffton:

Thank you for a wonderful stay last weekend at The Addison on Amelia Island. The measures you have taken at the Inn during this time, made us feel so comfortable on our first trip away since the shut-in time during the coronavirus. The way you care for your guests and have made sure there is social distancing for all during breakfast service and evening happy hour, made our stay so relaxing, while still enjoying all that your beautiful inn has to offer. I hope you know how much your guests appreciate everything you do to keep this special place safe and always up to the highest standards, especially during this uncertain time. Visitors can be certain to know that you are adhering to necessary guidelines for extreme safety and cleanliness. 

The Addison and Fernandina are our favorite destinations and we always look forward to visiting a few times each year. Thank you again, for making this stay as wonderful as always. Already looking forward to our next trip to The Addison.

From Laurie and Duncan Douglas of Atlanta:

Thank you for a wonderful visit to Addison on Amelia! The time away was just what we needed right now.

When we started talking about getting away for a long weekend to get out of the house when COVID-19 restrictions started to loosen up a bit, the immediate choice was Addison on Amelia. We discovered Addison on Amelia about 15 years ago and try to visit at least once a year.  

The B&B feels like visiting good friends and we felt very comfortable that Lisa and Ron would take extra precautions to make sure their guests were safe. It’s always great to catch up on the latest news with Lisa and Ron and we’ve met some of the nicest guests over delicious breakfasts and happy hours on the back porch overlooking a lush garden courtyard. The house has an old-fashioned Florida charm that we love, but it’s also casually comfortable. We also love the easy access to the quaint downtown and the beach. Especially now that it may be difficult to fly anywhere for vacations, driving from Atlanta to the Addison on Amelia is a wonderful, comfortable, relaxing destination where we can soak in some Southern hospitality and sunshine. We’re looking forward to coming back soon!

Southern Hospitality Shines Through

We’ve learned that our guests keep returning for a variety of reasons, but they all share a common factor: they all feel safe, relaxed, and pampered. We shower guests with true Southern hospitality, treating them like old friends returning to spend time with us. We hope to build relationships with guests as we swap stories about our lives and our families. And we provide a respite from everyday life, allowing us to take care of everything so guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy their stay.

Amelia Island Offers Safe Return

To that end, we strive to make our guests’ experience a safe one, especially in light of the pandemic. As local businesses and restaurants reopen, Ron and I have dined out to see what the experience would be like for our guests. Fortunately, most of the restaurants in the downtown historic district have outdoor dining areas so they’ve been able to provide a safe dining experience with social distancing. Wait staff are wearing masks and wearing gloves and we are doing the same at The Addison.

The executive director of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council came by Saturday afternoon to check on us. He told Ron that he and his staff—as well as commissioners—are dining at the restaurants to see which ones are being compliant. Only one so far has not been compliant. The local authorities are really taking precautions to ensure the businesses in our lovely community each do their part in making Amelia Island safe.

12-Point Safety Checklist

As for our guests, they are so happy to be out of the house and mingle with others in a safe, clean, socially distanced manner. It’s so wonderful to hear conversation and laughter on the veranda again during breakfast and happy hour.

On Memorial Day weekend, we were almost at 100% occupancy, so we turned guests away to ensure social distancing. All our guests complied with the six-feet-away rule we’ve put in place. Since our breakfast is served from 8:30 – 10AM, it’s rare to have guests waiting for a table to eat. In fact, they’ve been very patient as we disinfect the tables and sanitize the placemats, napkin rings, salt and pepper grinders, and sugar packet containers between guests. Noting our 12-point safety checklist, they mentioned they felt confident in our efforts to provide guests with a safe travel experience.

For all these reasons, guests feel comfortable returning to a familiar place for a much-needed get-away. If you’re a past guest, please come back soon. We miss you! If you’ve never been to The Addison before, we invite you to join our “family” of satisfied, happy travelers. Check our availability to plan your next trip to Amelia Island—whether you’re a repeat guest or a first-timer.

The Future of Travel

Leisure travel is on hold for now while we band together to “flatten the curve” of the pandemic. We’re all yearning to travel and, soon enough, we’ll be able to. In the meantime, many are asking what traveling will look like in our post-pandemic world? And what needs will have to be met in terms of travel safety?

Not surprisingly, travel industry experts predict that people will choose to drive to their destinations instead of flying once restrictions are lifted. Still wary about coronavirus, many people aren’t yet ready to stand in long security lines at crowded airports or sit close to others on a packed flight. This is welcome news here at The Addison on Amelia Island, since most of our guests do drive here when they stay with us.

Also, travelers will want to stay somewhere they’ve been before. They find comfort in knowing the property, the hosts, the area, and the food. Again, great news for our past guests who have stayed at The Addison. They’ve eaten a homemade breakfast at our dining room table, asked us for our recommendations of what to do on Amelia Island, and shared a glass of wine with us during our inn’s nightly social hour. We’re like old friends!

Why B&Bs Are a Safe Lodging Choice

I recently participated in a conference call with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to keep abreast of the latest industry news and the impact of COVID-19 on Florida travel. The experts shared that they think bed and breakfast inns will have a distinct advantage because our properties are smaller compared to big hotels. Plus, with B&Bs, guests won’t be standing in long lines of people checking in. They won’t be walking down long hallways where they could come in close contact with dozens of other guests on the same floor. And they won’t be packed into elevators trying to get down to the lobby from the sixth floor. Bigger isn’t always better, especially with post-pandemic travel.

Why Staying at The Addison Is Especially Safe

Ron and I believe The Addison on Amelia Island is at an even greater advantage than most B&Bs because of our property’s unique layout. Of our 14 guest rooms, nine have private entries, three have private porches, and seven have private outdoor sitting areas. You can have your own secluded getaway with private access!

If you prefer in-room dining for breakfast, we can accommodate this special request, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful weather and our lovely courtyard. Takeout meals can also be accommodated with the sitting areas on our private porches or directly adjacent to your room.

While we typically love to see guests socializing with one another, we’re also aware that times are different right now. Therefore, we’ve adjusted our dining tables on the verandah and in the dining room to provide six-foot social distancing.
We’ve always been responsive to guest requests—perhaps even more so these days when it comes to safety concerns. If there’s something that would make you feel safer during your stay, please let us know. For example, we plan to provide small refrigerators in a couple of guest rooms and stock them with snacks and beverages so guests don’t have to come to the dining room.

Another plus of staying at The Addison on Amelia Island? We’re a member of Select Registry, which was part of our inn’s transformation over the last few years. Known as the industry’s quality seal of approval since 1972, Select Registry membership means we submitted to a 250-point checklist as part of the evaluation process. Many of the member approval criteria focused on cleanliness, and our guests consistently compliment us on this aspect of our B&B.

Our Inn’s Cleaning Practices

Speaking of cleaning, we recently wrote a lengthy blog post detailing our inn’s cleaning practices. Throughout our entire property, we’ve always followed a consistent, rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing routine. We’ve stepped up our efforts even more, especially with our linens, furniture, and high-touch surfaces in common areas and guest rooms. Plus, our periodic “deep clean” takes our level of cleanliness up a notch, as we tackle chores like cleaning ceiling fans, flipping mattresses, vacuuming baseboards, washing windows, blinds, and drapes, and steam-cleaning rugs. We want to reassure guests that The Addison on Amelia Island offers a clean, safe lodging choice when they’re ready to travel again.

For reassurance, we’ll be placing a note in each room indicating when the last guest checked out, what we did to clean and sanitize the room, and the date it was completed. Again, it’s just a small thing, one you won’t find at big hotels. But we add these personal touches at The Addison because we want guests to feel safe and comfortable during their stay with us.

Plan Your Staycation on Amelia Island

With, you might be thinking about planning your next trip—but wanting to stay closer to home. Please know that, as soon as we’re able, The Addison on Amelia Island will reopen for business and would love to host you during this challenging time. For the latest COVID-19 information for Amelia Island, visit Amelia Island Tourist Development Council website.

In the meantime, cure your cabin fever and get inspired by exploring all that Amelia Island has to offer. Plan your trip itinerary! Whether it’s biking through the Historic District of Fernandina Beach, spending time in nature, golfing, strolling along the beach, or eating at one of our island’s fabulous restaurants.

If you’d like to book a room or have any questions about an upcoming stay, please call us at (904) 277-1604 or purchase an Addison on Amelia Island gift certificate.