My fiancé and I recently stayed at Greyfield Inn for Memorial Day Weekend, and we are still raving about our trip to anyone who will listen. If you are looking for the ultimate romantic escape, this is it. I almost didn't want to post a review out of fear that the Inn will get too popular, but something this extraordinary must be shared. From the moment you step off the Inn's private ferry, it feels as if you have stepped back in time. The untamed, natural beauty of Cumberland Island seems almost prehistoric, while the understated, casual "Old Money" elegance of the Inn harkens back to the days of the Gilded Age when the Carnegies and their contemporaries galavanted along the beach. Staying at Greyfield Inn isn't a typical luxury hotel experience; it's more like being a welcomed guest in a grand, historic family home, where your host has an extraordinary attention to detail. Fresh flowers and a handwritten card await you in your room upon your arrival, along with a copy of the Inn's daily meal schedule and a map of the island. A card bearing the day's forecast, including the speed of the current, winds, etc., is slipped under your door each morning while you're at breakfast. There is no front desk; if you require assistance, you need only wander downstairs to the kitchen and ask any available staff member. Speaking of the kitchen, it is open to guests 24-7; you are always free to help yourself to an assortment of delicious beverages and snacks, including homemade cookies (the flavor changes every day). We loved not having any Wi-Fi or TV; it forced us to completely unplug, slow down, and truly focus on each other. From riding the complimentary beach cruisers down live oak-canopied paths, to walking the beach and seeing no other humans for miles and miles, to lazing about on the Inn's extraordinarily comfortable front porch swings, we treasured every moment. We took advantage of the Inn's many tour offerings, including historic tours of the Dungenness Ruins and Plum Orchard estate, as well as a naturalist-led tour of the beach and an early morning birding tour through the marshland. Our guides, Christina and Nina, were both knowledgeable and engaging, sharing fascinating facts about Cumberland Island's rich history and even richer biodiversity. The culinary experience was definitely a highlight. From the charming picnic lunches packed for our daytime adventures to the exquisite, garden-to-table communal dinners, every meal was phenomenal. The food was often simple, but perfectly executed. We appreciated the requirement that everyone dress up for dinner, and every day we looked forward to socializing with new friends during the evening cocktail hour, munching on delicious hors d'oeuvres in the drawing room and sipping ice-cold martinis on the front porch. A word of caution to high-maintenance guests (or those who insist on modern luxuries): you might find some aspects of Greyfield less than ideal (though we found them charming). As my fiance said, sometimes it feels like "camping for fancy rich people." The plumbing, for instance, is quite old-fashioned, and it was virtually impossible to take a hot shower with adequate water pressure in our bathroom (we stayed in the Library Suite, which we adored). However, the Inn offers an excellent outdoor shower, which we thought added to the rustic charm of the experience. The warmth and attentiveness of Greyfield's staff was unmatched. A special shout-out to Hayley, who took some very special photos of my fiance and I (and who went out of her way to shoot us in multiple spots and from multiple angles!). We cannot thank the folks at Greyfield Inn enough for making our trip so magical. We are already dreaming of our next trip back, and are even considering trying to book the Inn for our wedding! read more

We stayed at the Inn, April 2-5,2026. The history and island beauty are incredible. The tour leader is quite knowledgeable and accommodating. The Inn, not so much. For the cost, do not expect the staff to go above and beyond at all. They stand around in the kitchen and must be sought out for assistance, never proactive. It's a very serve yourself type of atmosphere .The porch area is rarely attended to and dirt, with the interior furniture is ripped, tattered and worn. The food is nothing special and you are herded out of the communal eating area when time is up. You are your own bartender, as there is no one to offer you a drink. The service is subpar at best and there is very little attention to detail. There were older folks who couldn't bike and climb the dunes to get to the beach and they would not drive these people in the truck to the beach, which would be a nice option to accommodate those who need help to enjoy the island. I am glad I went, but not worth the cost they charge. nothing special, IMO. read more

Greyfield Inn - Hotels Near Me - Fernandina Beach, Georgia

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Just what you might expect is what it is. Andrew Carnegie's little brother's daughter's descendants can't keep up the payments and so are happy to invite you out to the winter beach house. Everything is slightly run down but lovely and feel free to help yourself (bicycles, kayaks, fishing rods). Also, ticks. Also, the chef from the glory days is still on the payroll so the food is AWESOMEBALLS. Also, would you mind kicking in...say the cost of a small car...to offset the expenses? The insects, especially in summer, can be a bit much. Did I mention the ticks? Also every other bug that can bite your ankles and calves will. Everything itches. I actually entertained (and then discarded) the thesis that the lovely Ferguson family are in fact the prisoners of giant insects, who obligate the family to bring human guests to the house so that the smaller insects can harvest their blood while they walk the property (no bugs in the house, thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster). At least in the summertime [Recall that these homes were winter residences, so I imagine that it isn't anywhere near as bad if one visits at the time of year that the property was originally intended to be used]. Unlimited beverages (except alcohol - your hosts aren't _that_ generous, regardless of your contribution). The amazing food - or at least a part of it - comes from the garden maintained by the staff. Also lovely flowers. Coffee is meh and this is a significant black mark. COFFEE IS MEH. If it wasn't for the AMAZEBALLS food, the slightly run down everything and the bugs, this place would be super cool for a friend's house (even grandchild of faded industrialist friend) but a bit sad for a super-premium price hotel. But the food really is AMAZEBALLS. So there's that. Also service is friendly if a bit hard to find at times. Super nice little touches like a card with tomorrow's weather and tides are sweet. Like being at a friend's house the folks here are happy to drag you around the very scenic island to see the marsh animals and the various ruins of the island's glory days. Social distancing like a boss out here on the island. These guys are trying super hard on that score. The beach is huge and almost empty. Very shallow and pleasant coastline. Also, random piles of horse manure from the wild horses (the staff will remove particularly egregious examples when too close to the house). The horses just hang out everywhere. You can't ride them. They are slightly scary. Highlight for me? Playing chess in the sitting room. Everything is suitably old and lovely. read more

Amazing stay!! We recently visited Cumberland Island (end of August 2022). Hands down the best and most rewarding trip to date. If you're into learning about rich cultural history, enjoy a semi structured weekend, nature, wild horses, and camaraderie... you'll love it here. We didn't know what to expect but hands down it was the best experience. The Greyfield Inn is the main house and there's also private cottages across the way. We were in "Big Cottage" (#312) which boasts 3 bedrooms, each w full bath and a shared living space in the middle. Two of the rooms also share an outdoor terrace where the outdoor shower also resides (should you choose that route). Everything was all inclusive which is a fabulous way to spend your days at Cumberland. You didn't have to worry about a thing. All of the guides were very knowledgeable. The food was amazing and all locally sourced. Here's the schedule: Breakfast: 8:30-9:30 am Picnic lunch (this you take w you on the tour, eat at the main house depending on your day or take a stroll to any nearby picnic bench.) Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres: 6-7 pm Dinner: 7-9 pm We loved seeing everyone transform from tank tops and shorts to suits and dresses. It really takes you back in time. The communal style meal setting is a wonderful way to learn more about the guests (that you've just spent the day with touring the island). You inevitably feel like fast friends and everyone is so welcoming. The group there on our weekend were all well-traveled and a few of them celebrating anniversaries. The feral horses were literally everywhere. It was the most amazing thing to see. The live oak with hanging Spanish moss was stunningly gorgeous. Edit -- after reading some of the reviews, I wanted to add a note about the bugs. Not gonna lie, I was very worried about this prior to arriving. I'm happy to report my friend and I did NOT get one single bite all weekend and we were outside all day. We even walked from the main house to/from our cottage in the evening after a fresh shower for dinner w no bug spray! This was the last weekend of August timeframe. We brought our own bug spray, but you can find several bottles of spray outside the main house for everyone to use. read more

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I wasn't sure what to expect when my friend booked us a weekend here. Unlike the review from Mr. Negativity below me, this place was outstanding. Very rustic, charming, and service was top notch. We took the Tour of the Ice museum and Dungenous mansion, which were informative and interesting, and lucky for me I was fortunate to do a private fossil tour and found over 50 sharks teeth and bones. You can't miss GoGo's jewelry store. Olivia is a wonderful addition, her knowledge of the pieces and demeanor was perfect for the environment. I bought some really special timeless collection pieces. Icing on the cake - the Inn's chef. The food here is some of the best food in the world. Everything perfectly portioned and the seasoning on each dish vastly different from the one before. You can tell so much thought and care is put into every aspect of the dish, even the Togo bag lunches. This place is an experience, if you don't like being outdoors I wouldn't recommend. Everything from the lovely live in staff, to the marvelous cottages, wild horses everywhere, it was truly heaven. Thank you Greyfield Inn for making my friend's birthday a weekend we will always remember. read more

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FOR $980 a NIGHT YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS CIRCUMSTANCES Traveling across the state to get to Greyfield Inn and car problems in route, on a Saturday, with dealer service department closed. They heard the noise the car was making on speaker phone, were sent photos of the dealership I made it to with the name and number of the employee that was there. They gave me an option of coming on the following Tuesday or I would loose my $980+ deposit. I could not make that commitment since I did not know when car could be fixed. I told them to keep the deposit for use at a later time and the answer was no. I was Not asking for the deposit back. They did not seem to care about the circumstances and would make no adjustments to their 30 day cancellation policy. read more

Truly a unique experience on a Georgia barrier Island. My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon 20 years ago and returned for the first time for a long weekend. It was an exceptional experience. There are activities of many kinds, we rode a bike somewhere every day and took the north island nature tour. The food was consistently excellent and well done. We had a wonderful experience and will not wait another 20 years to return. Thank you! read more

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One of my favorite getaways ever! Having bikes and kayaks at your disposal and never having to schedule them to explore this gorgeous island was a dream. The food was great and you felt like you were on your own resort. Well done! read more

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Previously a private residence built in 1900, this mansion became an inn in 1962 providing the public with a taste of the lifestyle enjoyed of its former occupants. Located on Cumberland Island, visitors must travel by public ferry or a private boat to access Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island that is located north of Jacksonville and south of Savannah. This is a get away that will truly make you happy to leave behind your laptop, limit your constant glimpses at email and break your habit of switching on a TV (I don't know that any exist at the inn). Take a nap on one of the comfy couches on the porch. Bring that book you've always wanted to read or look through the library for an interesting title. Borrow one of the fat tired bikes to go exploring, slip into a kayak (but time your trip to make the most of glassy water) or just find a hiking trail or head for the beach. That is just a sampling of the activities that await. A short walk from the dock brings guests along a path where horses lazily graze to the main house which has 16 rooms as well as nearby cottages. Some rooms have shared baths but that was not an issue for the five women and couple who seemed to manage making one bathroom accessible to all during the weekend we were there. The staff members are exceptionally helpful, upbeat and accommodating whether they are replenishing the tea, lemonade and water dispensers, discreetly keeping the property clean despite what must be a constant battle with tracked in sand from the beach or keeping the food and wine flowing throughout dinner. The room I shared had two twin beds which were quite comfortable but a bit narrow. Toiletries and towels were always in abundance and each room had plenty of closet and drawer space. Breakfast is served in the dining room, lunches are packed in charming baskets that travel well by foot or bike and dinner is a bit of a dressy affair back in the dining room. Set menus are posted on chalkboards each day. If dietary restrictions or food allergies are a concern it would be best to share that information in advance of your visit so that substitutions can easily be made. I found the food delicious and more than ample for my appetite but wondered if the portions served were enough for all. Since meals are included in the rate, along with the recreational equipment already mentioned, beach chairs and towels, guided tours that cover a lot of ground - and a lot of history - and a gratuity for the staff, there is little need for cash. However alcohol is a separate charge and the beers, wine and cocktails offered are not cheap. Wine pairings with the three course dinners we enjoyed while there tacked nearly $50 more on the bill (a glass of a fine wine with each course) but even the most modest glass of wine ran about $10 so it was an investment I was willing to fund. Next to the main house are gardens where produce is grown for guests' consumption and bees are at work making honey that can be enjoyed here as well. I focus mainly on the inn because the island can also be visited by day guests and overnight campers. Cumberland Island is exceptionally beautiful so whatever way you can visit you will be glad you did. This marks another historic lodging I have enjoyed and I would happily return and try a cottage or a room with a private bath. I felt comfortable roaming through the rooms and floors in my hiking clothes during the day and even in my bathrobe the one time I ventured from my second floor room to the shower located in a stand alone, fully enclosed building behind the residence. Note there are no elevators in the house and stairs are needed to access the dining area, kitchen and the second and third floor guest rooms. The scale of the property, the sense of having an island almost entirely to ourselves and the friendliness of guests and staff alike made this a memorable stay I will always remember and long to repeat. read more

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Give it a pass. The island is wonderful and the property is nice too, but not worth it. For example, they have a "happy hour" from 6-7. EVERY high-end hotel I have stayed at includes wine but Greyfield does not. There is one bartender in a very stuffy room taking his time. Other than happy hour, you serve yourself and write it down on a sheet of paper (wine is $16 a glass). When checking out you'll see you were charged a 10% "Service Charge" for pouring your own drinks. I could go on but I think you get the point. read more

Just a great spot Unique Great food Charming room Good service Even had air conditioning a d phone No tv or internet Great Beach - 1 mike walk Wild horses Go go Ferguson jewelry- unique Guests were best part New friends Pk loved it- thank god Will be back read more

What a gem of a place!! The wife and I went here for a weekend getaway and were blown away with the tranquility of the island and the hospitality at the greyfield inn. With no wifi and television and limited cell phone reception, one can completely switch and unwind at the untouched beaches. Wild horses running across the island are a common and majestic sight to watch. And for the foodies is us, the food is an absolute delight. The chefs are James Beard nominees and every meal is a carefully crafted classic. The entire experience is worth every penny. Will definitely be back. read more

Greyfield Inn - Brilliant view from one of the bluffs. - Hotels Near Me - Fernandina Beach, Georgia

The best of the best. A very unique experience, take the ferry over and instead of camping out (like I did in my 20's) you stay in a beautiful suite. We took all 4 of the cottages near the Inn and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff was attentive and very pleasant. Its a special place for a special celebration. Wildlife viewing is abundant, the history is very interesting, the setting is ideal. The food is wonderful, and I would suggest going with the Chef recommended wines, they were excellent. Thanks Greyfield!!! read more

There is no other place quite like this. Go, relax, read. take bike rides and be thrown back to a simpler time.

What an amazing place! We stayed in one of the cottages- it was clean and comfortable, not particularly fancy, but the island is steeped in history and is the perfect place for a beach ride on a bike or a walk down one of the many roads/trails that are peppered throughout the island. And, no crowds! They cap the number of people allowed on the island at any given time and the Inn itself only holds 36 ( I think).It's the only commercial building on the island as well so your time is spent relaxing, hiking, biking...and, eating. The dining is out of this world! The food is fresh, organic when possible and right out of their gardens when possible. It's is beautifully plated and served and as another reviewer recommended the wine pairings they suggest are excellent. We will definitely go back. No question. ( Oh, and there is no wifi and very little cell range, so be prepared for that!) read more