The long summer season is starting to wind down and our calendars are beginning to fill back up with the demands of life. As we transition back into routines, schedules, and, hopefully, a cooler season ahead (one can dream, right?), it is time to squeeze in one last getaway where beaches are filled with cooler breezes and fewer crowds. Spas are calling our name to restore what the summer sun has done, and legendary golf courses are waiting to be played. Whether you’re looking to getaway in the coming months or you’re in need of a road trip ASAP, allow yourself to be enticed with our hand-selected destinations and luxuriate with a first-class retreat.
Hitting the Links
The Sanctuary Hotel | South Carolina
Distance: 8.5 hours
This is a true golfer’s paradise, therefore, grab your husband and go. The 10-mile wide Kiawah Island hosts five award-winning golf courses. You can attempt the breathtakingly beautiful Ocean Course by famous designer, Pete Dye (that hosted the 2012 PGA Championship and will be hosting the same in 2021). Or, perhaps you prefer designer Tom Fazio for his championship-level Osprey Point course. To make your experience even more relaxing, the staff at Kiawah Island can build you a golf package around your schedule and preferences. There is no end to the list of impressive and well-deserved accolades this resort has obtained and if you make the most of the 8.5-hour drive, there’s no reason this shouldn’t be your next long weekend getaway.
Reynolds Lake Oconee | Georgia
Distance: 5 hours
Located 85 miles east of Atlanta, this Ritz Carlton resort features not one, but two courses on GOLF magazine’s America’s Top 100, and four in the top 10 in Georgia. Notable and renowned architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, and Tom Fazio have poured into creating award-winning courses like the highly acclaimed Great Waters course, a signature Nicklaus design. While impressive awards may be the first reason Reynolds Lake Oconee is on your radar, the breathtaking scenery and unrivaled history of Lake Oconee will be the reason you go.
Somewhere on a Beach
Point Clear, Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa | Alabama
Distance: 7 hours
Known as the Queen of the Southern Resorts, this haven will leave you feeling nothing short of royal. While most people come for the multitude of amenities—including a 20,000 square foot spa, two outdoor swimming pools, and two championship golf courses—they stay for the spectacular and romantic sunsets over Mobile Bay. With 550 acres of charming historical and natural beauty this truly is a hidden gem for the entire family to experience.
The Cloister at Sea Island | Georgia
Distance: 8.5 hours
Where sea and luxury meet, this resort has rightfully earned its four Forbes Five-Star experiences, amongst an endless list of other impressive awards. This lavish destination has a breathtaking five miles of private beach, where you can enjoy water sports, a cocktail at one of their three pools, horseback riding along the water, or just lounging in a beachside Cabana. Whatever you choose to do, there is no doubt that The Cloister will not only woo you with its magnificence but also with its incredibly gracious hospitality.
Hotel Bennett | Charleston, South Carolina
Distance: 8 hours
Prepare to be whisked away into a world of elegance and enchantment with Hotel Bennett. Located in the heart of Charleston, you can retreat to the rooftop pool where luxurious day beds await you or venture out past the city to one of five beaches that surround it. A day in the sun pairs perfectly with a night in Hotel Bennett’s very own champagne bar, Camellias. Or, perhaps you prefer their rooftop restaurant, Fiat Lux, where you can sip and savor local flavors while enjoying the sweeping views of Charleston. This destination will not disappoint as there are just as many endless opportunities for escapes and relaxation as there are for adventures and activities. Escape here to soak in the salty air before summer officially fades.
Treat Yourself
The Greenbrier | West Virginia
Distance: 7 hours
Deemed one of the best spas in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, the Greenbrier Spa is not to be missed. This world-renowned spa is both rich in tradition and luxury, boasting over 60 different spa treatments to choose from. Indulge in a Mountain Hot Stone Massage followed by a soak in the famous healing waters of the White Sulphur Springs. With options of Teen Facials, an array of Just For Men Spa Services, and even Mother-To-Be Treatments, this really is America’s Resort.
Blackberry Farm | Tennessee
Distance: 3.5 hours
Tucked in the hills of the Smoky Mountains just outside of Knoxville, you will find an oasis that makes you feel transported to a land far, far away. With an endless list of activities and amenities, the most noteworthy is the Wellhouse Spa. Services from Thai massages, Reiki, Natural Farm-Fresh Face Lifts, and of course, a Smoky Mountain Skin Glow await you. Don’t feel like leaving your room? Not a problem. Spa services can come to you in the “Perfect Evening In” featuring in-room massages, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Or, want an even more recluse destination? Journey twenty minutes more to Blackberry Farm’s sister resort, Blackberry Mountain, hosts a spa that is as tranquil and relaxing as the nature surrounding it. Connect deeper with your mind, body, and spirit by choosing a holistic treatment, such as the 2.5 hour Reconnect Curated Experience. Allow yourself to disconnect and soothe your worries with a Wrinkle Recovery Ferulic + Retinol Facial or a Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Body Wrap. It’s safe to say that no matter the service you choose, Blackberry Mountain will leave you feeling restored, rested, and rejuvenated.
Omni Grove Park Inn | North Carolina
Distance: 4.5 hours
With only a short four-and-a-half-hour drive, this trip could be done in a day — although once you see the spa, we can’t imagine you would want to leave. This 43,000 square foot subterranean oasis has every spa service you could imagine and the views to match it. After your therapeutic massage or Collagen Facial, you can choose to soak away your worries in one of their many mineral relaxation pools. Finish off your day of pampering by the fireside lounge where the scenic and picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding you. Go ahead and spoil yourself by grabbing a spa day pass and thank us later.
