What to Expect in a Stay at Cumberland Island's Greyfield Inn

Although Cumberland Island is remote and development is limited, that doesn’t mean you need to be an experienced backcountry camper to stay for a few days. Escape to the luxurious Greyfield Inn, where you can explore the island’s beauty on naturalist-led tours, dine on expertly prepared meals, and rest easy in plush accommodations.

Greyfield Inn — Cumberland Island’s only hotel — was built in 1900 by the Carnegies. The home was converted to an inn in 1962 by the family, who still manage it today. Situated on 200 unspoiled acres that include marshland to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the hotel is an all-inclusive retreat accessible only via a private ferry that departs from nearby Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Limited guests

Because the property can accommodate only about 30 guests, the hotel recommends booking at least two months in advance. Greyfield requires a minimum of two-night stay, with three nights required during holidays — both of which are long enough to experience the island’s notable natural and cultural activities.

All-inclusive accommodations

The hotel’s all-inclusive package includes accommodations for two, parking in Fernandina Beach, and transportation to and from the island on the hotel’s private ferry. It also includes all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, use of bicycles and other gear, and guided history and nature tours.

The 14 rooms in the four-story historic home are decorated with stately decor like antique four-poster beds and Tiffany lamps. The property also has two rustic yet elegant cabins, which are slightly removed from the main houses and outfitted with William Morris wallpaper, Native American artifacts, and Audubon prints.

All rooms and rates are for double occupancy, and optional air mattresses are available for additional guests for an upcharge. Children ages five and up are permitted at the resort.

Gourmet dining

With a focus on local, in-season ingredients from the inn’s 1.5-acre Greyfield Garden, dining at Greyfield is a standout experience. Daily rates include hearty breakfast and a grab-and-go picnic lunch, plus a communal, coastal-inspired, three-course dinner.

The dress code is casual for daytime, but jackets are required for gentlemen in the evenings with comparable attire for women. Meals vary depending on the season, but expect fresh-caught local shrimp and small root vegetables in the spring, and fresh citrus from on-site orchards and island oysters by a roaring dining room fireplace in the winter.

Outdoor activities & tours

Greyfield Inn is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The hotel provides gear like kayaks and bicycles as well as guided tours for guests to experience Cumberland Island’s 36,000 acres of historic ruins, pristine beachfront, and salt marshes and maritime forests teeming with wildlife like the famed wild horses and loggerhead sea turtles.

Greyfield employs a team of professional naturalists that lead intimate guided tours, which range from birding and nature outings to kayaking and a North End natural and culture tour. The hotel also can customize tours for guests upon request.

Located less than a mile from the property, Cumberland’s nearly 18 miles of secluded beachfront are ideal for soaking up the sun while lounging on complimentary beach towels and chairs, searching for driftwood and shark’s teeth, swimming in the warmer months, and watching sea turtles nest from May to September. Spring and summer are also a great time for fishing, with trout and red tail abound in the island’s many creeks and freshwater ponds.

The island is a migration stopover for 300 species of birds, including least terns and American oysterbirds. Spot shorebirds like sandpipers on the beach in the spring and fall, and osprey, peregrine falcons, and even Bald and Golden Eagles year-round.

Year-round destination

Although the fall and winter months are too cold for swimming, they are a great time for hiking and biking the island’s 50-plus mile network of trails and day trips to historic sites like Plum Orchard mansion. It’s also a great season for taking advantage of the hotel’s kayaking equipment and lessons to paddle along the salt marsh creek to spot dolphins, fiddler crabs, ospreys, wild horses, and the island’s natural wonders.

In keeping with its tranquil environment, Greyfield Inn has no wi-fi, making it even easier to escape from it all and immerse yourself in history and nature.