Courtyard Marriott Amelia opens Keystone private dining room

Courtyard Marriott
Press Release
February 9, 2022

The Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island recently opened its Keystone Private Dining Room. The room was inspired by the Keystone Hotel, a luxury icon of early 1900s Fernandina Beach that was described as “a glittering center of social activity” and became a community gathering place for decades.

The well-appointed space lends itself to laughter, conversation, and intimacy, while being just steps away from the lobby and boutique hotel conveniences and is available for groups of 8-20. While it’s a natural fit for parties and celebrations, it’s also the perfect setting to reconnect with family and friends over great food while enjoying a personalized, intimate setting where they can interact with the chef and learn about the inspiration for each course. The room has a watercolor, island vibe that is very elegant at the same time.  The hotel wanted to bring the rich history of Amelia Island to life within their hotel, which is so close to downtown, Fort Clinch, and the beach.

Guests can choose from a selection of menus priced at $125 per person, exclusive of wine, or design something that Chef Niko described as “a completely custom menu of three to five courses of refined cuisine.” The chef can arrange wine pairings to fit, or you may choose to bring in your favorite vintages.  Chef Niko brings 15+ years of industry experience and specializes in preparing seafood (which ties in so well to Amelia Island’s culinary legacy of shrimp and seafood).

Fun Fact: Aside from his culinary talents, Chef Niko is an avid outdoorsman and is well-known around Amelia Island as “The ‘Yaking Chef,” a kayak fisherman that is! You can spot him paddling the marshes and catching noteworthy trophy fish when he is not working on his next culinary creation.

The Keystone Room is now accepting limited reservations. Another Fun Fact: Notable Chef Jacques Pépin was the Keystone’s first honored guest!

Let me know if you are interested in stopping by for an interview with Chef Niko to learn more about this new experience and/or if you would like any photos, etc.