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WELCOME
WELCOME TO
our location, in the heart of historic Aiken, gives you convenient access to Hitchcock Woods, our equestrian community, numerous golf courses, and downtown boutiques.
During your stay, it will be our staff’s pleasure to attend to all of your needs. From expediting business matters to personal reservations and requests, our entire staff is available to assist you.
Please take advantage of our Restaurant, Salon & Spa, Lobby boutique, outdoor pool and health & wellness opportunities. A complimentary hot breakfast is served in the dining room from 7:00-10:00am. The Restaurant serves daily 11:30am until 10:00pm and Sunday Brunch starting at 9am. The Salon & Spa are open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday–Sunday 11am–5pm by appointment.
In this directory, you will find all the information you need to plan your moments and days at The Willcox. Our Guest Services team is happy to assist with helping you create your personal Willcox experience.
Check out is 11:00am. If your departure schedule does not coincide with this, please contact Guest Services early in the day so we can make every effort to accommodate you.
The Willcox has been welcoming guests for over a century. We encourage you to relax and make yourself at home. If there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable or assist you during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you for choosing The Willcox!
HISTORY OF THE WILLCOX HISTORY OF THE WILLCOX
The Willcox was built in the late 19th century for well-to do Yankees seeking warmth, light and high society. Aiken was popular with the swells and dandies of the gilded Age and they came in such numbers every winter that the town was dubbed the “Winter Colony.” Great dances were held and The Willcox was built in the late 19th century for well-to do Yankees seeking warmth, light and high ballrooms glittered with candlelight. Old rivals, fiercely competitive but impeccably polite, settled society. Aiken was popular with the swells and dandies of the gilded Age and they came in such their differences on the polo field. Grand picnics in Hitchcock Woods were laid out with silver, numbers every winter that the town was dubbed the “Winter Colony.” Great dances were held and crystal and linen. Politicians, royalty and captains of industry often visited The Willcox. ballrooms glittered with candlelight. Old rivals, fiercely competitive but impeccably polite, settled their differences on the polo field. Grand picnics in Hitchcock Woods were laid out with silver, The far-reaching reputation of The Willcox was built on its atmosphere, impeccable service and crystal and linen. Politicians, royalty and captains of industry often visited The Willcox. excellent cuisine. Famous guests included Winston Churchill, Harold Vanderbilt, W.R. Grace, Elizabeth Arden and Count Bernadette of Sweden. Legend has it that Franklin Delano Roosevelt The far-reaching reputation of The Willcox was built on its atmosphere, impeccable service and would ride his private train car to the back door and slip in quietly. The Prince of Wales was regretfully excellent cuisine. Famous guests included Winston Churchill, Harold Vanderbilt, W.R. Grace, turned away for lack of space. And, The Willcox doormen, sentries of society and taste, assessed the Elizabeth Arden and Count Bernadette of Sweden. Legend has it that Franklin Delano Roosevelt shoes of arriving guests before allowing them inside. would ride his private train car to the back door and slip in quietly. The Prince of Wales was regretfully turned away for lack of space. And, The Willcox doormen, sentries of society and taste, assessed the In those days Aiken was known as the Newport of the South, the Queen of the Winter Colonies. shoes of arriving guests before allowing them inside. The ideal of the Winter Colony was to play three sports a day: polo in the morning, golf in the afternoon and a hunt after dark, when riding was at its most hazardous. Both the men and the women, In those days Aiken was known as the Newport of the South, the Queen of the Winter Colonies. having inherited extraordinarily large fortunes from their ancestors, amused themselves with daring The ideal of the Winter Colony was to play three sports a day: polo in the morning, golf in the pastimes that were just as challenging as labor. Too rich to work, but too active and restless to sit still, afternoon and a hunt after dark, when riding was at its most hazardous. Both the men and the women, they developed in Aiken a hectic style of leisure that became a lifestyle for the privileged. having inherited extraordinarily large fortunes from their ancestors, amused themselves with daring pastimes that were just as challenging as labor. Too rich to work, but too active and restless to sit still, As grand and graceful as ever, The Willcox continues to draw people from all over the world to they developed in Aiken a hectic style of leisure that became a lifestyle for the privileged. enjoy superb personal service, gracious accommodations, excellent cuisine and their individual interpretation of the “Aiken lifestyle.” This treasured piece of Aiken’s history is the living room of As grand and graceful as ever, The Willcox continues to draw people from all over the world to the community and a second home to our out-of-town guests. enjoy superb personal service, gracious accommodations, excellent cuisine and their individual interpretation of the “Aiken lifestyle.” This treasured piece of Aiken’s history is the living room of the community and a second home to our out-of-town guests.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
The Willcox Hotel is committed to minimizing our overall impact on the environment without sacrificing the comfort and enjoyment of our guests.
We strive to conserve water and energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and minimize waste. We educate our employees and suppliers about the importance of environmentally respectful conduct and have an environmentally preferred purchasing policy in place.
People have come to The Willcox for more than a century to enjoy the highest level of service and the beauty of our surroundings. We are committed to preserving this rich legacy for generations to come.
We’ve implemented more than 100 planet friendly practices to make our hotel, restaurant and spa a better place. So when you’re staying with us, dining with us or relaxing with us, rest assured we’re doing everything we can to create a sustainable experience.
GREEN AWARDS
• GOLD STATUS DESIGNATION – TripAdvisor’s Green Leader’s Program
• THREE PALMETTO CERTIFICATION — SC Green Hospitality Association
• SMART BUSINESS RECYCLING PROGRAM – SC Department of Health and
Environmental Control and the SC Department of Commerce
To learn more about our green journey, check out our Sustainability Program on our website (TheWillcox.com) or in our Green Binder in the lobby.
We are a small and personal hotel, and are grateful to our Aiken community and our guests for their continued support. The following awards would not be possible without them.
RECOGNITION/AWARDS
No. 7 Best Hotel in the South 2020 No. 10 Resort Hotel in the South 2020 No. 8 Best Hotel in the USA 2017 No. 2 Best Hotel in the South 2017 No. 45 Best Hotel in the World 2017 No. 7 Best Hotel in the World 2016 No. 2 Best Resort Hotel in the Continental U.S. 2016 No. 1 Resort Hotel in the South 2016 T+L 500 - World’s Best Hotels Top 50 Hotel in the World Top 10 Small Lodge in the USA 2012, 2013
TRAVEL + LEISURE
SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE’S SOUTH BEST AWARDS
Executive Chef Regan Browell
BEST CHEF’S OF AMERICA, 2013, 2014, 2015
Award of Excellence
WINE SPECTATOR, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019
No. 7 Best Hotel in the South – Condé Nast Traveler, 2020 No. 12 Best Hotel in the South – Condé Nast Traveler, 2019 Top 55 Hotels in the World 2013, 2015 Gold List – World’s Best Hotels 2014 Top 20 Best Hotel in the USA 2013, 2014, 2015 Top 10 Perfect Vacations 2014 Top 15 Hotel Spas in the USA 2014 Top 15 Business Travel Hotels in the World 2013
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER
Greenleaders GOLD
TRIPADVISOR, 2014, 2015, 2016
Good Earth Keeping Award
S.C. HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION, 2012
Diners Choice Award
OPENTABLE, 2020
The Willcox Restaurant
2021 TRAVELERS CHOICE AWARD WINNER
I have stayed in many luxury hotels all over the world. There is no doubt that The Willcox is offering what “standard” luxury hotels can’t offer… the feeling of being home.
GUEST
The Willcox…nestled in the heart of thoroughbred horse country… was a favorite haunt of the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys and Harrimans. Most of the guest accommodations feature high ceilings, fireplaces, period antiques, feather beds and plush baths… Rocking chairs line the front porch… A small exercise room and day spa round out the offerings.
ANDREW HARPER HIDEAWAY REPORT “BEST OF THE UNITED STATES”
Guests return to The Willcox, where time slows down to a more relaxed pace – they’ll find a rocking chair for resting their day-trip bones, a guestroom spilling over with modern-day comforts, and a hearty helping of Southern hospitality.
HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE
The Willcox recalls an age when times were simpler but the pleasures of the season were celebrated with flair
THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
What I loved most, other than my huge addictive bed, was just going for a walk around that lovely little town and then returning to the hotel. Stepping inside the foyer, every time it took my breath away a little, the high ceilings, the long couches, the beautiful antiques. Like coming back home, to the kind of Southern home I’ve always wanted. The staff remembered my name and what I like to drink from the last time I was here. The food was close to divine. There’s not another place like this.
GUEST
