I had the chance to stay at the One Ocean Resort a...

I had the chance to stay at the One Ocean Resort and Spa for a couple of nights during a recent business trip. Located along the Neptune/Atlantic Beach (Jacksonville Beaches) Atlantic waterfront, the hotel is a near ideal vacation get away and luxury oasis ready to help you relax. Valet parking greets guests (yes there's an overnight charge; mine was $17/night) followed by a marble-laden reception area that is sophisticated, modern, yet subtly suggests timeless luxury.

The resort has a slightly confusing layout with no direct ground-floor to hotel room floor elevators; instead, one goes from the front-desk and restaurant area to a secondary floor via a beautiful spiral staircase or an elevator. This secondary floor hosts the Forbes-rated spa and a main bank of elevators. Curious layout, but easy to navigate once figured out.

I stayed in a standard, non-oceanfront facing, king room. It proved spacious, was very clean, had elegant furnishings, and above all a comfortable bed. I especially appreciated the abundant pillows - sometimes hotels skimp on these with king rooms. Also appreciated was a fantastic mini-fridge stocked with water and other non-alcoholic beverages and a snack bar - all of which was complimentary. Inside the closet, two plush bathrobes were at the ready.

The bathroom was, as other reviews note, on the smaller side. For one person in there at a time, it works fine. If someone will need a bathroom for an extended period, though, this could be an issue. Otherwise, the bathroom was design-inspired with a modern sink and fixtures, abundant marble, and an aqua-glass counter top; all nice touches that contributed to a spa-like feel.

If staying here, be sure to budget for and plan to indulge in some of the on-site amenities. I didn't have time to enjoy the spa, but am sure it is top-notch. The on-site Azurea restaurant bar was a great night spot; they feature a great selection of brews, wines, and cocktails to include many local craft brews at typical price ($6-ish). In particular, I enjoyed one evening where I sampled various rose wines with my bartender, Sarah, offering samples and excellent conversation. The staff here were always cheerful and attentive. The late night snack options may as well be meals, I should note. I opted for the artisanal cheese platter featuring a bevy of selections from across Europe, fresh fruit, honeycomb, warm baguette, and a delightful chutney. I couldn't quite finish it; for $14 it was a bargain (esp. if you've seen the price of a decent block of cheese lately). Enjoying such delightful food and drink while overlooking the moon-lit Atlantic is a splendid joy, I should add.

For conferences or other events, the resort's space is flexible and works well. There's a large covered patio area with an adjacent firepit and beach views; at least five conference rooms that could be revamped to various configurations (three sharing floating walls). The one caveat I note with the conference and lobby space is that it was really cold - even people who had come down from the Mid-West found it frigid.

Let me conclude my lengthy review noting that all of the staff I encountered here were courteous, bright, and most accommodating. I applaud their efforts and appreciate their hard-work. For a few days, I felt as though I were living a Downton Abbey lifestyle without spending a British Nobility's worth of money. If I should happen to return to the Jacksonville area for a vacation or otherwise, One Ocean Resort and Spa will be the first place I consider staying.