On a visit to the Omni Amelia Island Resort, I experienced how one man’s passion can convey an aura of wellness over an entire resort.
At my visit, that passion came from Daven Wardynski. He was the executive chef who had led the culinary team at Omni Amelia Island Resort since 2012. It has since elevated Wardynski to the post of the resort’s Director of Food & Beverage, and Omni Amelia Island remains true to his vision.
Resort management and staff continue to dedicate attention to pure food and children’s needs — the resort’s real focus. This focus is the source of its therapeutic spirit and wellness vibe.
“I do this because I have two little girls,” Wardynski admitted at the time. “They help me garden here every weekend, so they really understand where their food comes from.“ He added, “That engagement means the world to me.”
Amelia Island’s Unique Sprouting Project
As Chef, Wardynski was the creator of The Sprouting Project. His spare time passion has blossomed into a state-of-the-art aquaponic greenhouse, expansive organic garden, large collection of beehives, a chicken coop and a barrel room. He still follows its growth when he’s not watching over the nine restaurants and food and beverage services.
The Sprouting Project was originally built to raise some resort produce. The homespun aquaponic greenhouse took aquaculture in new directions, yielding a crop about twice as fast as soil would.
Today, the aquaponic greenhouse is a complex system of aquaculture and hydroponics. Two 500-gallon tanks at the far end of the greenhouse shelter fish who are fed organic material. Their nutrient-rich waste fertilizes the kale, herbs and lettuces used in salads. The plants in turn purify the water, which is recycled back to the fish habitat. The Sprouting Project, the Resort PR staff says, provides a considerable amount of local produce to guests. Fruits, peppers, herbs and other produce are harvested from the resort’s organic garden.
Visit and see for yourself; kids will enjoy learning how their food is grown.
At Amelia Island, Honey is the Food of Life
Barrel vaulted Quonset huts. Wood cabins with crunchy, crushed coquina shell flooring and hanging Spanish moss. It is the charm of the setting that evokes bygone Florida. At our evening visit, we sat at a picnic table and watched an owl fly onto a live oak limb above the creek. That owl watched us eating a kale salad until he realized it would be easier to catch other prey.
Omni Amelia Island also has its own apiary. Twenty-seven colonies house 2.5 million bees. They are as busy as bees, of course. They produce 5,000 lbs of honey used in many dishes, in many ways, and in many pleasing treats.
Every morning, I took advantage of one of the Omni Select members’ perks. Membership (free to all Omni hotel guests) meant I could order complimentary room service. I brewed a cup of tea at my minibar, then dove into the delicate Honey Hive Cakes on my tray.
Each time I tried them, with fresh cheddar or a honey brittle biscuit, the tiny gooey treasures were imbued with a rich fragrance.
Amelia Island Shares Food & Drink As Wellness
Sharing is part of this resort’s DNA. “Say Goodnight to Hunger” is a charitable initiative that Omni began in June 2016 in partnership with Feeding America. The program has donated more than 20 million meals, by donating one meal to a family of four, for each completed stay.
At Omni Amelia Island Resort, culinary curiosity extends to beverages and the Sprouting Project runs a rustic barrel room. Peek in and see where 36 barrels of fermented hot sauces, specialty infused balsamic vinegars and aged whiskies are produced.
Families will be touched immediately by the aura of wellness. Perhaps it’s the sweetness that underlies everything that passes your lips, but you feel better after just two days on property.
Don’t miss the free, kid-welcoming tour of The Sprouting Project. Call the concierge to sign up at 904/432–1467. The Sprouting Project also sometimes hosts featured dinners in a more adult atmosphere. Sample some of that honey bourbon they’re aging in the barrelhouse. In addition to local produce, you may enjoy an owl or alligator sighting around the bank of the creek.
Planning a Visit to Omni Amelia Island
Omni Amelia Island isn’t just about culinary wellness. In additon to good eating, they cater to golf enthusiasts, tennis fanatics, spa-goers, couples, friends and families. Here’s a video tour of the resort and our guest room.
Encourage the family to take advantage of the spa, golf, tennis and other facilities with 1,350 acres to play on. More than 220 staff assigned to the recreation department assist guests of all ages to achieve their personal best.
There’s also an outdoor pool, a kiddie splash zone (water is not heated) and a full children’s activity program with counselors. Together, enjoy the outdoor Jacuzzis, indoor heated pool in the larger fitness center, rental bikes, kayaking and more. Check out the 18 holes of minigolf and on-site animal hospital for the island’s birds and marinelife. Seasonally, join the turtle watch to protect the nests deposited on their beaches. Several of these facilities require a fee.
Set your GPS for Omni Amelia Island Resort at 39 Beach Lagoon Road, Amelia Island, Florida 32034 and start feeling better today.
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