Off the coast of Georgia lie two adjacent islands that harbor the inviting, Forbes Five star sister properties of sea island resorts: The Cloister at Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club.
A rich history, warm southern hospitality and an exquisite renovation combine to make the 175-room cloister a truly magnificent retreat, while the lodge, an intimate hotel with 40 accommodations superbly appointed in the style of an english country manor, offers expert personalized service and easy access to two championship golf courses. Guests of both the cloister and the lodge enjoy five miles of private Atlantic ocean beach and an array of activities from world-class golf, exceptional dining and a historic shooting school to the Forbes Five-star cloister spa, tennis, yacht club and renowned children’s programs.
Christen McCuiston, Reservations Manager
Sea Island & St. Simons Island, Georgia
(800) 732-4752
TOP SUITE AT THE CLOISTER SEA ISLAND SUITE
Number of rooms in suite: Four
Number of entrances to suite: two, one for service staff
Number of baths: two and one half-bath
Suite style: Reminiscent of Addison Mizner’s 1928 Mediterranean architecture of the cloister, this stunning suite is exceptionally and elegantly comfortable, with fine furnishings and handmade turkish rugs throughout. Designed by Pamela Hughes of Hughes Design.
Key selling points: This expansive suite includes one king bedroom, a living room with fireplace, a library and a large, private balcony, plus a butler’s pantry with separate service entrance. Bathrooms feature luxurious stone baths and rainhead showers.
Number of suites in hotel: 62
- Square footage: 2,200
- Nightly rate: From $2,500
SPA & FITNESS
The Cloister Spa: A true paradise, this Forbes Five-star spa welcomes guests with a complete array of therapies and programs dedicated to revitalizing the body and clearing the mind. the 65,000-square-foot facility houses 23 treatment rooms and a 5,000-square-foot strength and cardio studio featuring yoga, pilates and personal training programs, not to mention an indoor lap pool and three squash courts.
After your workout, select from a deep menu of relaxing massages and nurturing body treatments, and let the cloister spa’s experienced staff put you perfectly at ease.
Signature treatment: Sea island Dreaming, with dry brush, herbal misting, an enriched wrap and warm stones to assist in releasing tension from neck to toes.
TOP RESTAURANT
Georgian Room: This opulent, Forbes Five-star restaurant delivers a gourmet menu of farm-to-table southern delicacies, accompanied by a world-class selection of wine from the cloister cellar.
Reserve a coveted spot at the four-person chef’s table for the ultimate Georgian room experience.
TOP SUITE AT THE LODGE SEASIDE SUITE
Number of rooms in suite: three
Number of entrances to suite: two
Number of baths: two
Suite style: Overstuffed chairs, exposed beam ceilings, rich wooden furniture and hardwood floors accented by oriental rugs exude the warmth and charm of an english country manor. designed by Jill Cole of Cole martinez Curtis and associates.
Key selling points: Unmatched vistas of the Plantation golf course’s 10th fairway, as well as views of the atlantic ocean and Jekyll island are this suite’s hallmark. The exquisitely appointed bedroom features its own private balcony, and the classic marble bathrooms offer the modern comforts of deepsoaking tubs and rainhead showers.
Number of suites in hotel: Two
- Square footage: 1,800
- Nightly rate: From $1,000
TOP RESTAURANT
Colt & Alison: With sweeping emerald-green views and a wood-burning stone fireplace, Colt & Alison isn’t your run-of-the-mill steakhouse.
Skilled tableside food prep (think carved steak au poivre and flaming bananas Foster), the finest surf (local and imported) and turf (usda wet- and dry-aged beef) and exquisite wine pairings combine to perfection.
TOP GOLF
Plantation: Redesigned in 1998 by rees Jones, this course sports wide fairways capable of keeping an errant drive in play, but the tidal creeks, lakes and oaks that lay claim to Plantation’s gorgeous landscape put a premium on accuracy in order to land a solid round.
Seaside: A spectacular tom Fazio redesign of the original 1929 seaside nine (by the renowned Harry s. Colt and Charles alison) and the 1973 marshside nine, this Golf digest top 100 course hosts the PGa tour’s mcGladrey Classic.
Sea Island Golf Learning Center: The only facility in the country with four of “America’s 50 Greatest teachers,” per Golf digest, the school offers customizable programs and a comprehensive approach that covers five core competencies.