One of Northeast Florida’s best-known oceanfront resorts has finished its transformation.
The former One Ocean Resort & Spa in Atlantic Beach is now Dune House Hotel & Spa, a 193-room independent hotel with four new dining concepts, a redesigned spa and a new look inspired by the architecture and surf culture of the Jacksonville Beaches.
The hotel announced the project's completion Tuesday, though parts of the project, including restaurant concepts, have been unveiled since the spring.
For longtime Jacksonville residents, 1 Ocean Blvd., next to Beaches Town Center, has a long history. The property originally opened as the Sea Turtle Inn in 1973 before later becoming One Ocean Resort & Spa.
Now, more than five decades after the first guests checked
in, it's beginning another chapter as Dune House. Here's what Northeast Florida residents and visitors should know about the former One Ocean Resort:
What happened to One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach?
One Ocean Resort & Spa has been transformed into Dune House Hotel & Spa.
The change follows the July 2024 acquisition of the property by a joint venture that included Sage Investments, Aspect Real Estate Group, Corner Lot and Kelco Management and Development.
Dune House remains a 193-room oceanfront hotel at 1 Ocean Blvd., but the project has reworked the property's restaurants, spa, guest experience and overall design.
The hotel is operated by Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group.
“This property has always had a special place in the Atlantic Beach community and preserving that sense of belonging has been deeply important to us,” said Erik Kreft, Dune House general manager, in the hotel's announcement from this week.
Where is Dune House Hotel & Spa?
Dune House is at 1 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach, the same oceanfront property previously occupied by One Ocean Resort & Spa and, before that, the Sea Turtle Inn.
The hotel sits at Beaches Town Center near the Atlantic Beach-Neptune Beach boundary, putting guests within walking distance of the area's restaurants, bars and shops. The property also has direct beach access and an ocean-front pool.
Why did One Ocean Resort change its name to Dune House?
The Dune House name is tied to both the hotel's beachfront location and a notable piece of Jacksonville architectural history.
According to the hotel, the name references the dunes surrounding the property as well as late Jacksonville architect William Morgan's Dune House, a 1975 residence built into the dunes less than a mile from the hotel.
The redesigned hotel similarly draws inspiration from Atlantic Beach's mid-century architecture and surf culture, according to the news release.
Sage Studio and New York-based Islyn Studio led the design, which incorporates wood, stone, woven textiles, handcrafted ceramics and local artwork. The hotel's 193 rooms and suites have also been redesigned with warm woods, woven textures, artwork and large windows overlooking the coast.
What restaurants are at the new Dune House in Atlantic Beach?
Dune House has four food and beverage concepts: Coastal Farmer, Cafe Dune, Sea Turtle Scoops and Soothsayer.
Coastal Farmer is the hotel's signature oceanfront restaurant, led by Executive Chef Daniel Tederous and Director of Food & Beverage Kiwi Dabold.
The new restaurant replaced Azurea, a longtime Beaches favorite that was considered one of the most romantic dining spots in Northeast Florida.
Its menu focuses on seafood and ingredients sourced from regional purveyors, including Mayport Fishery, Georgia's Chatel Farms and Claxton Poultry Farms. Coastal Farmer includes indoor and outdoor dining, two private dining spaces, a 54-seat bar lounge and a 48-seat oceanfront patio.
Cafe Dune offers coffee, pastries and lighter fare, while poolside Soothsayer serves cocktails and small bites in a tiki-inspired space.
Sea Turtle Scoops serves Mayday Ice Cream along the hotel's path to the beach with a name that serves as a deliberate callback to the Sea Turtle Inn.
What happened to the One Ocean spa?
The resort's spa has been redesigned as Dune House Spa.
Treatments incorporate ocean minerals and coastal botanicals, according to the hotel. Signature services include the Dune House Signature Massage, Seaside Thermal Renewal body treatment and Luminous Facial.
Hotel guests also have access to beach chairs and umbrellas, bicycles, a 24-hour fitness center and the oceanfront pool.
JAX Surf & Paddle operates on the property with surfboard and paddleboard rentals, lessons and yoga.
Can Jacksonville locals visit Dune House without staying at the hotel?
Several of Dune House's amenities are designed to make the property a destination beyond overnight hotel stays.
Its four food and beverage concepts include the full-service Coastal Farmer restaurant as well as Cafe Dune, Sea Turtle Scoops and Soothsayer.
The hotel also has more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space available for weddings, meetings and other events, along with its spa.
What did Dune House replace in Atlantic Beach?
Dune House replaced One Ocean Resort & Spa, but the property's resort history stretches back more than 50 years. The address first welcomed guests as the Sea Turtle Inn in 1973.
The property later became One Ocean Resort & Spa, a familiar name for Jacksonville-area residents and visitors to the Beaches. The latest transformation followed the property's acquisition in July 2024.
“Dune House represents a meaningful investment in one of Atlantic Beach’s most recognizable properties and in the experiences that make this community distinctive,” said Daniel del Olmo, Sage Hospitality Group president and CEO, in the announcement.
How many rooms does Dune House Hotel have?
Dune House has 193 guestrooms and suites. In addition to the rooms, the property includes four restaurants, Dune House Spa, an oceanfront pool, direct beach access and more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
When did the new Dune House Hotel open?
Dune House announced Tuesday that its transformation was complete.
The hotel is now taking reservations at the Atlantic Beach property.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Popular Atlantic Beach resort gets new ownership, name, look
