An Escape for Sweethearts

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Writer: Amber Lanier Nagle

At night, moonlight spills through the towering pines and dances on the shimmering surface of beautiful Lake Oconee.

A wispy stream of smoke rises seductively from glowing embers where a handful of guests gather around a fire pit to roast s’mores.

The peaceful sounds of nature abound—lapping water, the songs of crickets, the muffled hoot of a lonely owl, the occasional crackle of a fire in a nearby chiminea.

Serene. Relaxing. Simply euphoric. Although people use different words to describe The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia,

everyone agrees that this secluded 35-acre resort delivers a near-perfect balance of natural beauty and modern comforts.

Just an hour’s drive east of Atlanta, the five-story lodge blends effortlessly with its surroundings with a facade forged from wood, fieldstone, and other rustic materials. On the inside, magnificent stacked stone fi replaces, open beam ceilings, antler chandeliers, and slate flooring invite guests to relax, sit a spell, and linger a little longer.

“We loved every minute of our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, and we are hoping to go again this summer,” says Rodney Allen, a State Farm agent in Hixson who vacationed at The Lodge last year with his wife, Cheryl. “It is warm and inviting—inside and out— with thoughtful details you would only expect to find in plush five star hotels.

The 251 guest rooms and suites feature terraces with spectacular views of the lake and manicured grounds, custom cherry and mahogany furniture, featherbeds, feather duvets, goose down pillows, luxurious Italian linens, granite and marble bathrooms, wireless Internet access, and even iPod docking stations.

Allen was also impressed with the golf courses—some ninety-nine holes designed by legendary course architects including Jack Nicklaus, Bob Cupp, Tom Fazio, Jim Engh and Rees Jones.

“The resort is a golfer’s dream,” says Allen, who played two of the five signature courses during his three-day stay.

“Beautiful green fairways wind through the tall Georgia pine forest with some challenging elevations and breathtaking views. The greens are immaculate and run true. It’s no wonder to me that the courses rank among the top courses in the nation year after year.”

For those looking to escape the rigors of everyday life, a large rejuvenating spa pampers guests. Th e award-winning, 27,600-square-foot facility boasts an extensive menu of body treatments, facials, saunas, and soothing massages, all delivered in a relaxing sanctuary.

Complementing the spa services is a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with free weights, treadmills, elliptical trainers, recumbent and upright bikes, an indoor lap pool, and all of the essentials needed to experience an invigorating and satisfying workout.

In warmer months, Allen recommends spending quality time in the resort’s large infinity pool that has guests wondering where the pool waters end and the lake begins.

The resort also offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, and tours of the grounds on a Segway.

Located on the banks of Lake Oconee, The Lodge offers great fishing opportunities year-round that leave serious anglers raving, and telling tales about the big one that got away.

Aside from its normal romantic ambiance—forty marriage proposals and counting since it opened in 2001—Th e Lodge offers even more romance for sweethearts and starry-eyed lovers during February. Special packages are available to couples and families on Valentine’s weekend including a Valentine’s Vow Renewal Package featuring an elegant group wedding ceremony and reception.

“The staff was kind and accommodating and created an experience beyond pleasurable for us,” Allen adds. “TheLodge overflows with Southern hospitality and charm. It’s one of those places that you will remember for a lifetime.”

A LITTLE HISTORY

In the early 1930s, Mercer Reynolds, Sr., a Chattanooga businessman and inventor, purchased the land and built a hunting and fi shing retreat amid the pristine forest. He called his retreat, “Linger Longer,” an endearing term that still suits the setting to a tee.

In the 1970s, creation of the Wallace Dam flooded the region, creating Lake Oconee, and Reynolds’ family getaway found itself under water. In the 1980s, Reynolds’ descendents began developing the property, careful to preserve its abundant history and natural splendor. In 2001, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, owned by Reynolds’ grandchildren, opened its doors and has been charming its guests ever since.

THE RITZ-CARLTON LODGE,

REYNOLDS PLANTATION

ONE LAKE OCONEE TRAIL

GREENSBORO, GA 30642

PHONE: (706) 467-0600

WWW.RITZCARLTON.COM

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