9 minute read
St. Simons Island
SERENE AND SUBLIME
“It seems like, when you live here, you’re on vacation. . .watching the sun come up over the Atlantic, it’s magical.
—Dave Snyder, restaurateur
The largest of the barrier islands, St. Simons boasts something for everyone. Wide beaches, ancient maritime forests, and quiet marshes beckon to nature-lovers. Families can explore 20 miles of bike trails, cruise alongside pods of playful dolphins, or discover local history at sites such as the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. Whether beginner or pro, tee off on several championship golf courses.
Don’t miss shops proffering local goods and a rich culinary scene serving up fresh catch.
But no hurry, for the vibe here is laid-back — the essential ingredient for a coastal getaway. goldenisles.com 800-933-2627
99
95 17
303 St. Simons Island Little St. Simons Island
Sea Island
17 Brunswick
520 Jekyll Island
Atlantic Ocean
PIER REVIEW
Overlooking St. Simons Sound, the St. Simons Island Pier – said to be one of only three in Georgia that extend into the Atlantic Ocean – is a crossroads to the world. At its base, Mallery Street and Pier Village are filled with shops where visitors can find one-of-a-kind souvenirs and fishermen can stock up on gear, bait, and tackle. Grab a quick bite – fresh shrimp and scallops or a crab cake sandwich — before taking a post-meal constitutional on the boardwalk alongside anglers waiting patiently for a nibble on their lines as the waves splash against the pier’s pilings. Wander among the other passersby: moms and dads Whale Watch Between with excited kiddos begging for ice cream treats, gaggles December and of teenagers snapping selfies, starry-eyed couples March endangered North Atlantic Right whales holding hands. Cast your gaze at the St. Simons Lighthouse towering in the distance, and depending on the migrating from the time of year, pods of dolphins cavorting for appreciative northeast to calving grounds can be audiences, and the thin horizon where the gray-green spotted offshore. Atlantic meets the cloudless sky.
BY-AND-BY ON SSI
Consider the following ways to soak up St. Simons Island.
1STEP UP! And we mean that quite literally. Not only will you get a good cardio workout by climbing all 129 stairsteps of the St. Simons Lighthouse, you’ll also walk away with a history lesson at its museum chronicling the structure’s 19th-century origins. Once you reach the top, the payoff is a panoramic view of St. Simons Sound, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick.
2WHEEL DEAL Learn the lay of the land on 20-some miles of biking trails stretching the length of St. Simons. Pedal beneath live oaks, past historic sites such as Christ Church and Fort Frederica, lush fairways, mysterious tree spirits, and then fuel up at Redfern Village with a well-deserved quaff.
3GOULD’S GOLD Get back to nature with a stop at Gould’s Inlet, perched on the northern tip of East Beach. It’s ideal for fishing or walking, but it’s best to enjoy time on the shore as currents can be dangerous here. Bring Fido with you and some binoculars for watching birds or paddleboarders in the distant surf.
4OMM-AZING! Downward Dog and planking are much more enjoyable when you practice them in the open air and sunshine – on the beach. Bring a towel and get ready to stretch your limits at East Beach Yoga’s Tuesday and Thursday morning classes, which meet at the studio at 1205 Ocean Boulevard, a short walk to the beach. Reservations required. Eastbeachyogassi.com 5 PUTT FOR DOUGH Pack the kids – and your swimsuit – and practice your, uh, short game at the miniature golf course in Neptune Park’s Fun Zone. After a round, cool off in the public pool or see what’s afoot in the park in the way of festivals or concerts.
Old Roots and New Branches
The magnificent Avenue of the Oaks, a tree tunnel consisting of massive live oak trees that retain their color throughout the year, remains virtually unchanged since the day it was planted nearly 200 years ago.
Great oaks from little acorns grow, the adage goes. But surely, even Anna Page King couldn’t have predicted how mighty her plantings would become. In 1826, the heiress to the Retreat Plantation, a leader in cotton and rice production, planted a double row of live oaks along the property’s entrance. Known today as Avenue of the Oaks, the majestic colonnade extending from the southern tip of Frederica Road to the entryway of Sea Island Golf Club has become a beloved icon for Golden Isles residents and visitors. The graceful arc of winding branches draped with Spanish moss provides shade for evening strolls or drives, serves as a romantic setting for marriage proposals, and a scenic backdrop for senior portraits and family photographs. What better witness to momentous occasions than these stately sentries that have endured for nearly two centuries?
Sea Island
SWEET SECLUSION
— Brannon Veal, director of golf, Sea Island
Gracious hospitality has characterized Sea Island since its inception in 1928. Dedicated to impeccable service, the resort offers guests a taste of the sweet life: private beaches, three championship golf courses, a Golf Performance Center, sailing, tennis, a Forbes Five-Star Spa, outstanding dining, nature programming, and children’s activities. Accommodations include The Cloister, The Lodge, Sea Island Cottages; and Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge. Sea Island has achieved four Forbes Five-Star awards for 14 consecutive years.
Seaisland.com 877-907-5698
Sea Island is a private resort open to resort guests and members only.
99
95 17
303 St. Simons Island Little St. Simons Island
Sea Island
17 Brunswick
520 Jekyll Island
Atlantic Ocean
THE CLOISTER
A Friendly Little Hotel
Starting with the iconic Cloister, Forbes Five-Star Sea Island Resort has become synonymous with luxe — and re-luxe-ation — boasting private beaches, top-ranked golf courses, myriad outdoor and children’s activities, and world-class dining, all exclusively for resort guests and members.
A trip to Guatemala A trip to Guatemala inspired architect inspired architect Addison Mizner to Addison Mizner to introduce Mediter-introduce Mediterranean Revival to ranean Revival to American resorts. American resorts. T he striking red-tile roof, arched he striking red-tile roof, arched entryways, and ornate balustrades entryways, and ornate balustrades tell you this is no ordinary place. tell you this is no ordinary place. Conceived in the 1920s as “a friendly little Conceived in the 1920s as “a friendly little hotel” by Sea Island founder Howard hotel” by Sea Island founder Howard Coffin, The Cloister‘s stunning Mediterra-Coffin, The Cloister‘s stunning Mediterranean Revival style epitomizes a trend nean Revival style epitomizes a trend among resorts that proliferated after World among resorts that proliferated after World War I. The vision of architect Addison War I. The vision of architect Addison Mizner, who had introduced Mediterra-Mizner, who had introduced Mediterranean Revival to South Florida, The Cloister nean Revival to South Florida, The Cloister was his only project in Georgia. Since its was his only project in Georgia. Since its opening in 1928, it has hosted presidents, opening in 1928, it has hosted presidents, world leaders, and society grande dames. world leaders, and society grande dames. In 2003 the structure was razed and rebuilt In 2003 the structure was razed and rebuilt but remained true to Mizner’s original, with but remained true to Mizner’s original, with soaring Moorish-style windows, double soaring Moorish-style windows, double colonnades, coffered ceilings, tile floors, colonnades, coffered ceilings, tile floors, and warm wood textures accented with and warm wood textures accented with pops of color. Today, with more than 250 pops of color. Today, with more than 250 rooms and suites, and surrounded by 50 rooms and suites, and surrounded by 50 acres, river, marshes, and ocean, The acres, river, marshes, and ocean, The Cloister is every bit the elegant accommo-Cloister is every bit the elegant accommodation it was 90-some years ago, beloved dation it was 90-some years ago, beloved for its creature comforts, impeccable for its creature comforts, impeccable service, and gracious hospitality. service, and gracious hospitality.
SPAAHHHH!
The Spa at Sea Island owes its Forbes ranking to 65,000 square-feet of space with 23 treatment rooms, expert staff, and a fountain-filled garden atrium. Inhale its bespoke scent of tobacco, sandalwood, and peach, and sip a “Spallini” before skilled therapists cast away tension from a menu of treatments that includes the following:
SEA ISLAND MASSAGE
Keep a clear head with a rubdown using pressure points on the face, body exfoliation for blood flow, and scalp massage.
STRETCH MASSAGE
This signature treatment combines stretching techniques of Thai massage, and the fluid rubbing of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Swedish massages — just the ticket for overworked muscles.
HAND AND ARM MASSAGE
Relax the muscles, tendons and joints in your hands and arms, slathered in ginger oil and wrapped in hot, aromatic towels. Add Sweet Birch Muscle Rub, and you’ll be ready to get a grip on your sticks and racquet.
REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE
Quiet those barking dogs — and anything else that ails you — with this alternative massage that targets pressure points on the feet believed to correspond to various organs and systems in the body. Once refreshed, you’ll notice a decided spring in your step.
MAKE WAVES
Look your best on the beach with a full-body skin treatment that firms the flesh and gives you a sun-kissed look sans harmful UV rays.
PARENT AND CHILD EUROPEAN FACIAL
Only offered to parents and kids, this sideby-side treatment removes impurities, key to healthy, smiling visages.
FIT FOR A KING
A team of outstanding executive chefs presiding over 14 restaurants and a Forbes five-star ranking have established Sea Island as a top culinary destination. From humble to haute, eateries such as The Market and Topgolf Swing Suite and Bar offer a taste of Sea Island to the public. Resort guests and members can tuck into mouth-watering USDA prime steak at The Lodge’s Colt & Alison, (above), while diners at The Cloister can enjoy a taste of Italy at Tavola, whose wood-fired pizza (“The Tavola”) consists of homemade sausage, rapini, and Gouda – best paired with an Old World vintage from Sommelier Ryan McLoughlin’s cellars. Share a small plate at River Bar & Lounge, a Lowcountry boil at Rainbow Island, or peel-andeat shrimp by the ocean at Southern Tide. Save room for dessert, as in Wonderland’s Gold Brick Sundae, a Sea Island favorite among kids of all ages.
SMOOTH SAILING
Cruise the Golden Isles’ waterways in style aboard a 71-foot, custom-built passenger yacht, Sea Island Explorer. The sleek vessel containing three openair decks and an enclosed cabin is ideal for viewing scenic marshes, wildlife, and sunsets. Sea Island guests can choose from nature tours, private excursions featuring presentations by naturalists, falconers, or historians, and when the sun goes over the yardarm, cruises with light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Bottoms up!
