Dungeness on Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. Oglethorpe named the place after Dungeness, in England. The next Dungeness was the legacy of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, who had acquired 11,000 acres of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby mansion in 1803, over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters.
In 1818 Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a dashing cavalry commander during the Revolutionary War and father of Robert E. Lee, stayed at the house until his death on March 25, 1818, cared for by Greene's daughter Louisa, and was laid to rest in nearby cemetery with full military honors provided by an American fleet stationed at St. Marys, Georgia. The house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866.
In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children, including Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island.
The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.

St. Marys Romantic Hotel

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Our top choices for St. Marys romantic hotels

Goodbread House Bed & Breakfast Inn

St. Marys

Susan

HK$1,700 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Mermaid Cottage in Beautiful Downtown St Marys GA- Gateway to Cumberland Island

St Marys

Catherine

HK$1,904 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island

Ocean Cay

JoAnn

HK$1,046 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island by IHG

Jekyll Island

Courtney

HK$1,082 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island

Ocean Cay

Marisa

HK$924 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Dec - 22 Dec

Indoor pool, 2 outdoor pools, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, pool umbrellas

The Villas of Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach

Harsha

HK$1,736 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Dec - 24 Dec

Outdoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, pool umbrellas, pool loungers

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Fernandina Beach

Charlene

HK$855 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Dec - 21 Dec

5 outdoor pools, pool umbrellas, pool loungers

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

St. Simons Island

Pierre Andre

HK$1,746 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Dec - 21 Dec

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Top St. Marys Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville Airport by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Room was spotless, but sink in the bathroom was draining very very slow, but otherwise, everything was great"

The Villas of Amelia Island

10/10 Excellent

"Beautiful resort, clean rooms, and outstanding staff!! Especially Tunde, Anastasia & Laura! So very kind and accommodating. My reservation was lost in the cloud, and after a long drive from MN everyone was exhausted and ready to get to the room! Once everything was figured out they gifted us an upgrade! Can not rave enough about the amazing customer service!"

Frequently asked questions

Searching for romantic hotels in St. Marys?

If you and your partner need some romantic time away, we'd like to help you plan for it. Our guests also enjoy St. Marys for its restaurants and island views. If you want to explore the area, you might head to Cumberland Island Ferry, Crooked River State Park or Cumberland Island National Seashore. If you're interested in staying close to a certain attraction, you can sort by neighbourhood or distance to top landmarks, so you and your partner will get to see everything on your list.

When is the best time of year for a romantic getaway to St. Marys?

If you're hoping to get lost in the rain on your romantic getaway, take a look at these details about year-round temperatures in St. Marys: The hottest months are usually July and August, with an average temperature of 27°C, while the coldest months are January and February, with an average of 15°C. Average annual precipitation for St. Marys is 1224 mm.

What is there to do in St. Marys?

There's nothing better than experiencing a new destination with your sweetheart, so consider checking out all there is to see and do in St. Marys. Couples looking to get out in nature will enjoy St. Marys for its island views. You might think about visiting Cumberland Island Ferry, Crooked River State Park or Cumberland Island National Seashore.

What's the best way to get to St. Marys and around town during my romantic getaway?

These transportation options in St. Marys might help your romantic getaway go off without a hitch: To get to St. Marys, book a flight to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), which is the closest major airport, located 18.9 mi (30.5 km) from the city centre. You can take a ferry to see more of the region.

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St. Marys Romantic Hotel

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Check availability on St. Marys Romantic Hotel

Our top choices for St. Marys romantic hotels

Goodbread House Bed & Breakfast Inn

Mermaid Cottage in Beautiful Downtown St Marys GA- Gateway to Cumberland Island

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island

Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island by IHG

Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

The Beachview Club

Sea Island Resorts

Top St. Marys Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville Airport by IHG

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

The Villas of Amelia Island

Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Airport

The Inn by Sea Island

Frequently asked questions

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