What Inspires Guests to Return to The Addison on Amelia Island?
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.