Wishing all Resort Girls a happy and safe Halloween!
Lake Oconee and Reynolds Plantation served as a serene backdrop for my first fall RG roadtrip, and the Ritz Carlton Reynolds offered all the rest.
I chose the backroads of Georgia as my avenue to get there – winding through beautiful Braselton, Social Circle and Winder. There is nothing like cruising through small southern towns with their historic downtown districts and restored homes. Plus, there is the pleasure of driving on winding road along farm lands filled with fall colored trees in golden and red hues.
Once reaching Reynolds Plantation, the Ritz Carlton, the anchor hotel of the plantation was the “where” of my RG road trip. But there are many lakeside and golf cottages and private homes available to rent.
The Ritz offers a hunting lodge feel and an almost luxe camping experience, with many outdoor experiences located just steps outside of the hotel doors. My sister and niece met me at the hotel to make this a Resort Girls Vacay!
Here are a few Resort Girl highlights, sharing some of our favorite spots:
A serene dip in the infinity pool with mile-long Lake Oconee water views.
Enjoying a healthy and, yes, gluten-free lunch with lake breezes in your hair at Gaby’s by the Lake.
Next time, we will play some golf on the rolling links of the Oconee Course.
I also had a delicious dinner in the Clubhouse, at the Linger Longer Steakhouse with super service. Thanks to Eric—table 22, who made us a special RG sweet treat!
Then I watched the fireworks and roasted marshmallows to make some s’mores. The next day began by waking up to a spectacular sunrise along the shores and pristine waters of Lake Oconee.
This Resort Girl could have used another day to get used of all the daily activities such as golfing, spa treatments, boating and even paddle boarding but, sadly, I had to get back, as this was just a quick overnight vacay.
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation was a perfect place to rock in fall… and a “where” to keep on my Resort Girl list.
Inns can provide an intimate environment with a more quiet and personal aura. Their smaller size also affords them some spectacular natural settings.
Resort Girls, think about rocking in the fall at an inn or lodge. There is something warm and cozy about them, especially in the cool fall evenings. From the mountain breezes coming off your intimate, little balcony overlooking majestic landscapes, to a private beach, to a glorious golf course or the red bursts of tree leaves, it all adds up to one thing – paradise. Fall hiking, golf and tennis are just steps away from your room.
Another option for RGs is to rock in fall at a quaint beach inn, wearing luxe soft sweaters and feeling the cool sea breezes against our faces. A community bonfire is just a few sandy steps away – and warm, gooey s’mores!
This Resort Girl loves luxe inns and lodges for these reasons, and these smaller accommodations provide a private setting where the staff gets to know you by name, and when traveling solo, that can be a good thing.
Decades ago, I first experienced the grand views from a lodge at the El Tovar Lodge in the Grand Canyon – considered a crown jewel in historic park lodges.
We were originally placed in a nearby lodge with no views, as the El Tovar was booked, but my eyes wanted to open to a canyon view. So, how did this determined RG get in? Here’s an RG tip: If you stand at an inn’s check-in desk during cancellation time, you have a chance to pick up rooms that become available. I stood there and waited and waited! And for my efforts, this RG finally ended up getting her El Tovar room with a grand view!
One of my favorite inns is The Inn at Harbour Town, Sea Pines in Hilton Head, S.C. It is where I now stay when staying in Hilton Head while awaiting my new home’s closing. My first visit to the Inn goes back three years ago, during my life transition, which was also during the winter months. The inn was decorated in twinkling holiday lights and décor, giving it a festive flair. European touches could be seen in the use of traditional plaids, silks and a paneled library giving the space a cozy air. I loved writing my blogs there.
This Resort Girl enjoys the intimate settings, plus the bonus addition of a tranquil swimming pool. Most of all, the in is home to the top ranked Harbour Town golf course and a renovated Clubhouse – both offering spectacular views with rooms located on the front tee!
There are so many beautiful inns to visit, many of which this Resort Girl wants to discover this fall and winter.
One stop on my Resort Girl rockin’ fall agenda is to visit the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands. An inn with a spa – now that is this a Resort Girl’s paradise.
Where do you love to rock in fall, Resort Girls? Share with us your favorite intimate inns… and ask when visiting if any RGs are stayin’ there!
Every Resort Girl deserves her own space and place to relax and reflect. The new wave for getting that space is by creating your own “She Shed” – a twist on the infamous “man cave”.
They can be as simple as a little wooden cottage by the water’s edge or a fine modern modular unit in your city backyard. They are meant to be small in space, but large in wonder and filled with inspiration. Some great She Shed photos can be found at PureWow.
The concept back brought back memories of this Resort Girl’s wishes for a She Shed. About two decades ago, I bought my first home located in Buckhead, within the bustling city limits of Atlanta. I used to laugh as many called it a cottage, but to me it was a small house — my first home was a house! The home was small, but the lot was over an acre-and-half, filled with mature hardwoods and lush green undergrowth. The most beautiful part was in the back quarter where on old potting table remained — the land is what called my name.
Every day, I would wander back in the yard and dream of a place to sit and enjoy the sounds of the birds and get a bit of personal space — a quiet escape from city life. Nature has always been my favorite retreat for inspiration, so I seek it out even when I’m in the city.
My thought at the time was, why not put a little shed back here? I had recently been to Home Depot and saw all of those modular metal sheds by the garden center. I could put in a little writing table and decorate it to my tastes and this would provide a little space for my thoughts, dreams and desires.
Now, this is a popular trend for women! We are getting our own personal spaces. Some Resort Girls wish to mediate, some to create, some to entertain, and some to just relax and reflect.
These spaces can be filled with fluffy floor pillows and chairs, tiny writing and craft tables, dream boards, etc. They can also be surrounded by trickling fountains, little gardens and window boxes, and even a hammock. Technology can be a part of it now with wi-fi if you wish for soothing music, but try and leave your ringer off. Take your mind off of the world around you and escape into your thoughts and desires, or just recall some great memories past – relax and reflect, Resort Girl.
There are now many ready-made plans and modular units to be found on the web. There is far more to choose from than two decades ago, when a simple metal shed caught my fancy, but maybe your perfect She Shed is just a little wooden one, made of leftover lumber from a local work site or reclaimed wood from a historic place or even a chapel. The spirits of the past can help inspire the future in your little Resort Girl She Shed.
Find a place in a city yard or seashore and watch the sunrise in your She Shed.
Just make it yours, Resort Girl – your place – your space – to relax, reflect and recharge!
Share some of your She Shed inspirations and designs with us!
What a way to start off your vacay – with a letter from your personal hotel butler. The letter ended with, “If we can assist you in any way throughout your stay, please do not hesitate to contact any of our butlers via the ‘Butler Services’ button on your in-room telephone.”
So I wondered, what could a butler do to make a Resort Girl’s stay the best vacay ever? Would he turn down the bed at night? Well, they already do that for you each night. So then I wondered if they would fill up this beautiful extra-deep soaking bath tub and guess what? They do, via your Luxury Bath Butler. And they have four types of indulgent bath experiences offered by your personal Bath Butler to enliven, awake or give RGs sweet dreams.
The Bath Butler’s services are described like so: “The butler will prepare an elegant setting including desired water temperature, oversized bath towel, candles, slippers and robe placed for your comfort. The Bath Butler also includes a selection of bath salts and bath gels.” How soothing does that sound…?
The other services I’ve experienced so far include getting your own personal beach towel handed to you in a beautiful wooden basket and your chosen morning papers hung in a beautiful bag by your front door – so much better than on the hallway floor. There are other things too, from free transport to the beach to fulfilling in-room dining requests.
By the pool the butler set up my chair with a fresh towel and made sure the umbrella was in just the right place. They then brought ice water with fresh lemon slices to my umbrella shaded table. Of course, a drink with a festive mini umbrella was also offered.
It was a memorable end of the day dip in the pool to end the summer RG vacay, splashing in what the Inn refers to as the tranquil pool and feeling the first cool crisp fall breezes blowing through this Resort Girl’s hair. Cheers to the coming of fall and the end of a glorious summer!
It is quite nice to have a butler or two for a few days! This one was at the Inn at Harbour Town at Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina, but many hotels offer butler services. A butler or two for your vacay is a great way to help Resort Girls have a more enjoyable stay!
Can lounging in a locker room be considered a luxe experience? Oh, yes it can! Come to the Harbour Town Clubhouse at the Sea Pines Resort in South Carolina, and take a luxe lounge in the ladies’ locker room before and after your round of golf! This RG often uses locker rooms as my temporary office – they are a great place to relax, reflect and write!
The Harbour Town Clubhouse re-opened in January of 2015, and the golf course is very close to re-opening after I what heard was an extensive renovation. The new clubhouse is now open for dining, and that is what this Resort Girl has done the last two nights – as I’ve been staying at the Inn at Harbour Town.
The clubhouse is only a few steps away from the Inn, and it has been a pleasure to dine on mouth-watering, world-class cuisine while (as the club says) “overlooking one of America’s greatest golf courses.” This RG wanted to watch sports while writing, so I sat at the bar and got to enjoy the games as well.
Another luxe experience was lounging in the ladies’ locker room – and this one is fabulous! As a diner, you have access to the locker room – it is the ladies’ powder room as well. The bathroom is amazing with marble running throughout, roomy showers and gilded mirrors. The furnishings are first class, the towels abundant and there are even cookies and sweets for your tasting, as well as comfy couches to rest on before or after play – or simply to sit and write.
So, this RG wondered… if the women’s lounge is this first class… what does the men’s locker room look like?
The answer? Just as spectacular and two stories high! This never-too-shy Resort Girl asked to tour it, and the staff graciously gave me permission to take a quick look as it was closing down for the evening. I just had to holler “Resort Girl on the floor” to make sure all the Resort Guys had gone.
I began my journey up the stairwell, viewing the colorful paintings of past winners of the historic RBG Heritage Golf Tournament, South Carolina’s only PGA Tournament. Viewing these famous golfers gave this RG a feeling of the magnitude of this historic and classic event.
And then, I entered the main floor and found myself floored at how handsomely appointed and grand it was.
The sinks were very similar to the women’s but featured darkened wood, with marble running throughout. Yes, that was a pretty impressive men’s bathroom! I will leave it to your imagination, but it is the first men’s locker room this RG would for sure use if in a pinch!
The lounging area was equal in its community appeal with big screen TVs and comfy seating, both inside and out. There is a cool, plaid glass item you Resort Guys must see – but this RG is being careful to not disclose too much, as it is private to those few who get a chance to play on one of the greatest courses. This is certainly a luxe locker room for the gathering of golfers who just had a historic round on one of the greatest golf courses – whether tournament players or just the everyday golfer who is lucky to have experienced these 18 holes!
This Resort Girl took in the spirit of these handsomely appointed rooms, and then snuck down the stairwell hollering “Resort Girl on the floor” all the way down! Then back to the Inn I went.
Resort Girls, take a picture yourself lounging in a beautiful locker room – and share with us your luxe experience! Here’s this RG’s pic:
