Salt at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Florida shore lies The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, a luxury barrier island resort with the reimagined Salt restaurant designed by HBA San Francisco.

This project showcases the award-winning hospitality design firm’s skillful ability to weave the destination’s natural beauty and maritime heritage with the brand’s legacy of quality and service into a cohesive, contemporary language that elevates the guest experience.

Similar to the ingredient itself, HBA San Francisco’s design for the AAA Five Diamond Salt restaurant enhances the culinary journey and acclaimed Chef Okan Kizilbayir’s menus of fresh, locally sourced ingredients from land and sea. The transformative design engages guests upon arrival at the luminous entry, where a tonal palette of warm woods and bronze metals envelops the space in quiet richness. At the ceiling above, a light fixture gracefully undulates like the ocean’s waves. Patina metal wraps the host stand in gentle curves as if smoothed by the sea, while an alabaster-lit wall behind recalls the crystalline properties of salt. Adjacent, a stone-wrapped wine display and cellar entices guests to explore exquisite wines.

The lounge unfolds a tailored experience for having a drink while waiting for a reservation or a memorable photo moment. Dressed in black leathered quartzite with gold veining and a patina metal surround, the fireplace harkens back to the Gilded Age of Amelia Island’s past. Above hangs a custom artwork, its fluid form reminiscent of the tide’s eternal dance. The sommelier’s saber rests on the mantel, ready for the restaurant’s celebrated champagne ritual.

Along the fireplace wall, upholstered banquette seating lends subtle aesthetic, paired with chic tables perfect for enjoying pre-dinner cocktails, amuse-bouche selections, shared plates, or decadent desserts. Neutral wallcovering serves as a backdrop to historical artworks suspended from bronze pulleys that bridge Amelia Island’s storied past with its modern present.

An expanded bar provides an intimate environment for guests to gather over conversation and cocktails. Its sophisticated setting strikes a balance between linear precision and sculptural elegance. A fluted bar front harmonizes with the back bar’s smoked mirror and rich wood finishes, crowned by a custom light fixture whose seeded glass evokes the ethereal effect of underwater bubbles. Complementing the space, a diptych captures the flow of rolling sand dunes, rendered in dimension with neutral golden tones.

In the main dining room, floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. A sparkling dialogue between metal, glass and wood beckons guests into this space, where a stunning light fixture evocative of salt crystals bathes the room in soft illumination while its glow dances along a custom-designed railing crafted of woven metallic mesh interlayered in glass.

Art from local galleries adorns the dining room walls, each celebrating coastal treasures. Above the service station, a sculptural work of natural shells explores patterns in repetition, while individual oyster shells dipped in gold form a clustered focal point on the banquette wall.

The Atlantic Room offers a refined setting for memorable gatherings. Outfitted with comfortable seating, new wood tables, and elegant millwork shelving, the private dining experience accommodates up to 30 guests. Custom sconces warmly glow against natural cork-textured walls, while cascading, gold-dipped glass pendants shimmer reflections from the magnificent chandelier. On the private outdoor terrace, fire towers stand like beacons, and views of rolling dunes and the ocean’s endless horizon present a masterpiece of nature.

Design: HBA
Photography: Christopher Cypert