Steve (DOS) and I once again celebrated the Christmas holiday week this year at Jekyll Island, Georgia. Jekyll Island is one of our favorite places to visit in the U.S. for its relaxed vibe, historical venue, beautiful beaches, and overall island ambiance. I’ve written about Jekyll Island many times, so won’t go into its history in this post, but here’s a link to it if you’re not familiar with Jekyll Island.
We drove our Tesla to Jekyll Island for the first time, and it made a huge difference on this 3 1/2 hour drive due to the full self driving feature (FSD), that literally got us from home to Jekyll with the push of a button on the mapping application. We did make two stops, (requiring a simple update on the map); one for re-charging the battery, and a second one for a quick lunch.
We could have made it from Orlando to Jekyll Island, which is about an hour north of Jacksonville, Florida, on a single charge, although we weren’t sure about the availability of high speed chargers in Jekyll so we charged up fully in the Jacksonville area. (As it turns out, electric chargers wouldn’t be a problem as there were several at our hotel and the Home2Suites adjacent, although all but one of them at each hotel was broken). There was also a charger behind the Goodyear Cottage in the Historic District which had a couple working chargers. Apparently the Jekyll Island Authority is looking to contract for several pay chargers to the island in the near future, which would be much appreciated by EV car drivers such as ourselves.
We arrived at Jekyll Island around 3:30pm, and checked into the Jekyll Ocean Club Hotel, which is directly oceanfront, and next door to the Westin Hotel where we have stayed the last few visits to Jekyll Island. We had never stayed at the Jekyll Ocean Club before, but have had dinner there several times at its 80 Ocean Grill restaurant. The all-suite boutique hotel has only 40 rooms, and we were on the third floor (top) floor which offered roomy accommodations with spectacular views of the ocean. As we got off the elevator we were greeted by an inflatable Grinch and characters with a Grinch tree!
Upon checking in, we met Archie, a very friendly bellman we quickly made friends with, as he assisted us with our luggage and filled us in with details ranging from the electric chargers, to shuttle operations to the Jekyll Club Hotel, the light shows at night etc.
We immediately loved the Jekyll Ocean Club Hotel, and it’s a boutique-type ambiance, not to mention the oceanfront location. It has a very quaint and relaxing atmosphere, and quickly became our favorite hotel to stay at on Jekyll Island. We had a lovely room, and the balcony and outdoor sitting area were private and offered an amazing view of the ocean, beach, and pool area down below.
The Jekyll Ocean Club has a public walk/bike-way located beachside, which extends for miles and is perfect for a beach stroll, or extended walk, job, or bike ride. The beach walk leads down to nearby parks, shops, restaurants, the Convention Center and more; it’s really a terrific and scenic walk!
The Jekyll Ocean Club is also a sister property to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel which is located in the Historic District, perhaps a mile or two away. The Jekyll Club Hotel, with its signature turret, is where the Jekyll Island Club (circa 1888 – 1942) began, and the original Club House built during the millionaire era, is now a historic hotel. We have stayed there many times over the years, usually in the Presidential Suite, which houses the turret, but as newer beachfront properties have opened up and later during COVID, we’ve stayed in the Westin oceanfront the last few years, and starting with this visit The Jekyll OCEAN Club Hotel. (I’m capitalizing OCEAN to differentiate the main, larger, and original Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Both hotels provide a complimentary shuttle bus to the other property, although it’s only a short mile or so away.
Later that evening of our first day, our good friends Michele and Larson, (our “island friends”, who live on Jekyll Island) stopped by our hotel for pre-dinner drinks in our suite, and later we went downstairs to the hotel’s restaurant, Ocean 80, for dinner.
Dinner at Ocean 80 Restaurant with Michelle and Larson, located inside the Jekyll OCEAN Club Hotel.
After a yummy dinner at Ocean 80, we went outdoors to the side of the Ocean Club Hotel’s 3rd floor observation area, which provided excellent views for the 10pm special pre-Christmas fireworks, which were held on Dec 22, the day we arrived. The firework display was quite impressive, Disney World-like even, and obviously very professionally done. The fireworks were shot off near the convention center which was less than a mile away, and from our side vantage point of the hotel we could see them well out over the beach. Fireworks from this distance are tough to photograph due to low lighting, but below is a pic overlooking the hotel pool and fireworks in the distance.
The next day, Steve (DOS) and I had a nice buffet breakfast in the main Jekyll Club Hotel (sister property of our hotel. The breakfast was served in the Grand Dining Room of this historic hotel, which literally was the same room where the multi-millionaires of a by-gone era, circa 1988 – 1942, dined during the Jekyll Island Club period.
We love the Grand Dining Room, although over the last few years unfortunately, (starting with COVID), it has only been open for breakfast, and occasionally special event dinners. The hotel has been thru several owner changes since then, and has had many staff cutbacks in general, especially noticeable at the bell stand, front desk, and Grand Dining Room closures (except for breakfast and special events), which is a shame for such as historic property. We previously knew many of the restaurant managers, front desk staff, bellman, and waiters, although none that we knew are no longer working there. Some of the staff have gone to the Westin as we’ve seen them there. I guess the Jekyll Club Hotel has a hard time getting/keeping staff, especially for the Dining Room due to the remote location of Jekyll Island. Interestingly, our waiter for breakfast was only 19 years old and from Indonesia, and he with some others stay at an older hotel on the island, i.e. like a dormitory, which sounded like the Disney World exchange program for one year. Hopefully this will work at least seasonally for the hotel and their staffing issues.
After breakfast, we walked thru the Jekyll Club Hotel a bit, and sat in the rocking chairs overlooking the croquet grounds for a while before walking around the Historic Village.
We walked along the pathways to the San Souci Cottage which was originally six large apartments; i.e. condos, and housed among other guests, J.P. Morgan. The Apartments are available for lodging, however they have been subdivided into 24 individual units. Steve DOS and I will be staying here when we return to Jekyll in late January, and staying in 1 of the 2 Governor Suites, which covers the front half of the first floor each.
We have stayed in San Souci once previously, in a smaller shared balcony room on the third floor years ago when we couldn’t get into The Presidential Suite in the Main Club House for New Year’s Eve, and while nice, there is no elevator in San Souci, as it’s an original building and thus not built for one in 1896 when it first opened, making it a bit impractical now for us with all of those stairs, and the heaps of luggage we drag along, and severe understaffing of Bell Staff at the Main Hotel. (We noticed the first day we were at the Main Hotel for Breakfast, there was only one Bellman for the entire Hotel, San Souci, Crane, and Cherokee Cottages combined, and many people needed help with their luggage, or to navigate the front outdoor stairs. For that reason do not book anything other than the first floor in San Souci, Crane Cottage, or Cherokee Cottage, if you have mobility issues, and/or need luggage assistance. The newer Jekyll OCEAN Club Hotel is modern, however, and does not have these issues, and while the Main Jekyll Club does have 2 elevators, there are still stairs at every outside entrance, with only a small handicap lift at the main Bell Stand which requires Bell Assistance to operate, and was not always readily staffed it appeared.) Note to Jekyll Club Hotel: The Bellstand is NOT one place to cut staff; it’s extremely busy and people with mobility issues need assistance navigating the tiny lift up and down the stairs.
Michelle and Larson later met us near San Souci Cottage, and we took a leisurely stroll thru the Historic Village shops.
Of special note was the Jekyll Island Sweets shop. What’s the old saying “I felt like a kid in a candy store”, well that’s how we all felt going thru this cozy but fun-filled shop! It was really like a retro-candy store from our childhood; i.e. 1970s or so with many items you don’t see today, such as Bazooka Bubble Gum, Pop Rocks, mini wax bottles filled with liquid (you bite off the end for the liquid treat), sweet tarts, etc, and even an oven top Jiffy Pop popcorn maker! There’s also an ice cream cone section, as well as all kinds of fresh chocolate and cookie treats you can purchase as well. Really a must see place for the person with a sweet tooth, or someone who wants a bit of sweet nostalgia!
Later that evening, DOS and I went back to the hotel for a bit, and later met Michelle, Larson, and some of their friends at the main Jekyll Club Hotel, to see Tim, the Bagpiper, who plays during the 12 days of Christmas. We have seen him the past few years, and it’s somewhat of a tradition to see nd hear him play during the 5pm cocktail hour, prior to dinner. He actually starts playing at Faith Chapel, and walks his way towards the Club House Hotel, entertaining the crowds, and chatting for a bit after his performance. We always leave a nice tip, and get our photo with him, as do many others.
the Jekyll River.
After the bagpiper entertainment we went to Corridor Z for dinner, which is walking distance from our hotel, and across from the Westin Hotel. We love this oceanfront restaurant which opened a year and a half ago, and the staff is super friendly and offers great food too. We met the owner D.J. several visits ago thru Michelle and Larson and we saw him at the restaurant a couple times during our stay.
The next day was Christmas Eve, and it was a long, but activity-filled day. We started out by going with Michelle and Larson to a wonderful Brunch at I am Nacho Mama Restaurant, which is off the island, about a half hour away near the intersection of Interstate 95. We went there last year for Christmas Eve Brunch, and this year’s was very similar to last year’s, but extra-special, as you’ll see further down in this post. Michele and Larson like to patronize local businesses such as this, and have gotten to know the owner family of this restaurant, and we’ve met them as well.
proclaiming the future birth of Jesus.
After our Brunch, our group moved to the outside patio as the restaurant was very busy and people with reservations were waiting. We had drinks outside, and enjoyed the beautiful Georgia weather on this Christmas Eve.
Later in the afternoon, the owner of I am Nacho Mama surprised our group with a very special complimentary Christmas gift. The family is quite religious, and it shows throughout the restaurant in small ways such as the Isaiah poster on the wall (above a bit in this post), and the kindness and friendliness of the family-owned staff. The owner came by to our table, and presented to us a narrow wood plank with 3 pieces of lamb on it, with a red cranberry sauce, and rosemary. While the grilled lamb looked delicious, and we later shared it among our table, it had a much deeper meaning, which the owner loving explained to us. I’m paraphrasing but here was our impromptu Christmas sermon for the day:
“The meal has to be Lamb, which symbolizes the innocent Lamb of God. The three crosses represent the three crosses where Christ was crucified between two criminals. The Rosemary stem represents a whip that was used on Christ prior to him being nailed to the cross. And finally the red cranberry sauce represents the blood of Christ, and the forgiveness of our sins”
As we listened to the owner speak about the meal presentation and what it represents, everyone was attentive and practically in tears. Here we sat, sinners and all, outside with our drinks on Christmas Eve, and yet this simple act by the owner was more powerful in such as short message that it really sunk into our hearts. This is an amazing family owned, Christian restaurant, and if you are ever down in Brunswick and/or nearby Jekyll Island, please visit this restaurant. You would never get this sort of spiritual message of love at a chain restaurant although he did it specially for us as he knew Michelle and Larson as friends. Thank you I Am Nacho Mama!
After the wonderful Brunch and impromptu Christmas Eve message at I Am Nacho Mama, Larson drove us back to our hotel on Jekyll Island. We had about an hour to relax before DOS and I drove to Jekyll Island Methodist Church for the 5pm Candlelight service. The congregation was quite full, and we met Michelle and Larson there, along with Barbara whom we had Brunch with earlier. The service was nice and included Communion. At the end of the service, everyone lit their candle (which was issued upon entry) while singing Silent Night.
After the 5pm service, we went to Michele and Larson’s house, which was near the church. Steve (DOS) and I stayed for a little over an hour, before heading to the Jekyll Club Hotel for dinner. Michele and Larson’s house was decoratively nicely for Christmas, including a replica of the icon “leg lamp” from the movie A Christmas Story.
Michele and Larson’s living room window.
After visiting with Michelle and Larson at their house, DOS and I had dinner (just the two of us) at the Grand Dining Room in the main Jekyll Club Hotel. As I said earlier, the Grand Dining Room is not normally open for dinner, but is for special occasions such as Christmas Eve, and we had made reservations a couple months ago for this dinner. (We had wanted to go for Christmas Day Brunch as well, but it was already booked up when we had booked the Christmas Eve dinner.) The room was decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations, ice sculptures, wreathes, and greenery. There were several tables for the various food items, including a seafood raw bar, salads, vegetables, soups, breads, etc, and of course a dessert station.
After a wonderful dinner in the Grand Dining Room, DOS and I relaxed outside the Dining Room on the side porch of the hotel in the rocking chairs, reflecting on the wonderful Christmas Eve we had just had.
On the short drive back to our hotel, it was very quiet and calm, while we passed some of the Christmas lights set up on Jekyll Island.
On Christmas Day, we awoke to the most beautiful sunrise out our window, over the beach. It was the start of a wonderful Christmas Day!
A while later after getting dressed, DOS and I went to the 9am service at Faith Chapel. Faith Chapel was built in 1904 during the “Millionaire Era” of the Jekyll Club, and has quite a history. This intimate chapel only seats 100 people or so, and is not normally open to the public for services, although it is at certain times for people touring the Jekyll Historic Village. Inside, there are two huge and beautiful stained glass windows, the larger of which is signed by Tiffany himself. We had been in Faith Chapel several times as part of the tram tour, or on our own while walking thru the Village, but had never been to a service there. We got to Faith Chapel early, at 8:15am meeting Michelle and Larson, and fortunately got a row together at this early hour. The Chapel was full by 8:45pm, and standing room after that, so glad we went early.
After the service, which was led by a former Methodist minister who resides on the island, we headed back the short distance to our hotel. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm Christmas Day, and we had a couple hours to enjoy the view from our patio, before we met Michelle and Larson and another couple for Brunch. We celebrated Christmas Brunch next door at the Westin Hotel, which was lovely. I didn’t take any photos during the Brunch as we all were enjoying it so much, but did get a photo of our group by the Christmas tree after the Brunch.
We had a wonderful and quiet Christmas Day, and after the Brunch, DOS and I relaxed at the hotel. Just about everything was closed on the Island on Christmas Day, and it was a great day for a leisurely walk to enjoy the weather. In the evening, we went to Michelle and Larson’s home for a while, and met some more of their friends. We had a light dinner there, and enjoyed sitting on their new screened in porch with glass fire pit.
The next day, the day after Christmas, DOS and I had breakfast in the Grand Dining Room, before walking around the Historic District. We always enjoy walking thru the Historic District, and it’s never real busy, unlike Colonial Williamsburg. We’ve read books on the history of Jekyll Island, but it’s always nice to take photos again, and view the placards displaying information about the cottages, dock area, even the old oaks or ruins. Here are some photos of some of the cottages at Jekyll; that is the ones located behind the Club House.
After our leisurely walk thru the Historic District, DOS and I went to lunch at the casual Sunrise Cafe near our hotel in the shopping area across from the Westin Hotel.
Shortly after we had lunch, my cousin Kevin texted me that they had just arrived to Jekyll Island. I knew they were coming, and we in fact stayed an extra day to see them, but they got here a bit earlier than I thought they would. Had we known the earlier arrival time, we would have waited for them to have lunch, but as it was already 2:15pm we were starving! We walked the short walk back from our hotel and met Kevin, his wife Lisa, and son, Daniel at the Sunrise Cafe, which we recommended to them as well.
We sat with Kevin, Lisa, and Daniel while they finished lunch, and then showed them around the Historic Village shopping area, as Lisa wanted to have a browse of a few things. I told Kevin he had to see the Candy shop there, as we are both about the same age, and he appreciated the nostalgia bit of it as well. In fact they all loved the candy shop, and we got a photo of them by the Gingerbread Man outside of the Candy Shop.
In the evening Kevin, Lisa, and Daniel stopped by our suite, along with Larson and Michelle where we had pre-dinner drinks before we went to dinner at Corridor Z, a short walk from the hotel.
On our last day at JEKYLL ISLAND, we met our group at Tribuzio’s Grille for lunch. We love Tribuzio’s and it’s located on the golf course Jekyll Island. It’s also owned by the same owners as the Sunrise Cafe we went to yesterday. We’ve been to Tribuzio’s Grille every time we’ve been to Jekyll, and they recently posted a new and expanded menu.
Finally, for our last evening on Jekyll Island, we all met again for dinner, this time at our hotel’s restaurant, Ocean 80. The Jekyll OCEAN Club Hotel where we are staying and the restaurant is located has a beautiful and warm, home-like lobby area complete with fireplace and comfortable living room-like seating, adjacent to the restaurant.
On Sunday, Dec 28th, after nearly a week on Jekyll Island, we checked out of the Jekyll Ocean Club Hotel, and headed back to Orlando. We said bye to the front desk and bellman Archie, as he helped us with our luggage and loaded up our car. We got a farewell selfie with Archie as well.
And soon we were off for Orlando in our Tesla having previously been charged while we were on the island. We left the hotel around noon, and headed out and over the quiet Jekyll Causeway and on toward interstate 95 and later I4. As it was the Sunday after the Christmas holidays, the interstates were quite busy when we got on them. Fortunately our “Red Cruiser” Tesla navigated us well thru the sometimes stop-and-go traffic due to the self-driving feature.
We arrived home around 3:30pm, tired out a bit, but having had a WONDERFUL Jekyll Island Christmas with friends and my cousins and his family. Until next visit in late January, so long JEKYLL ISLAND for now.