Recently I attended a conference in Atlanta, GA and decided I’d explore a bit before I went home. I’m actually not sure how I originally heard about Jekyll Island Club which is located off the Georgia coast, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, FL), but either way I found myself there. In the photo above, you have a view of the resort from under my umbrella. It was overcast when I arrived and although the sun never really came out, it was gorgeous. Pure romance… from the architecture to the moss dripping from the trees…to the food and wine. Even if you’re alone it will be a magical experience.
The club thrived through the early 20th century with an exclusive limited membership consisting of many of the world’s wealthiest families at the time, most notably the Morgans, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts. When the club first opened, hunting was a major recreational activity for both men and women. A gamekeeper was hired to keep the island well stocked with pheasants, turkeys, quail and deer. If you actually “got” something, you had to turn it over to the resort where I guess they would cook it, or send it over to the taxidermist. As the club grew golf became an the Club’s dominant sport.
As for me? I fell in love with this place! They filmed the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance – directed by Robert Redford and starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. I stayed in the same room Matt Damon which was room 222, I believe. If you go, double check. Or request Robert’s, Will’s of Charlize’s room.
Here are some photos from the grounds. The willow trees are dripping with moss and it’s spectacular.
And some more over by the marina…
There’s a great walk from the hotel over to the water. To take this photo I had to remove my shoes off and wade through some huge grass puddles. I can still remember that morning. My feet smelled of marsh and I had to take another shower when I got back!
The hotel had fabulous food. I had room service, I was sleeping in the same bed Matt Damon slept in so I did not stray too far from that room. Here are some photos of my dinner:
A little wine to start – as you can see they have their own label which was very nice. My salad…
And entrée…crab cakes which were excellent. Sorry, this photo is a bit blurry but you get the jest.
And what would my blog be without a “foot” shot – my friends tease me shamelessly about this – but if you’re alone, then sometimes that’s all you can get if no one is around. And selfies are difficult to get right. Here I am sitting outside at the Café Solterra, the most casual restaurant at the Club. It was pouring down rain and I flipped the wet cushions over and sipped a glass of wine.
I hope you’ll put this beautiful hotel on your bucket list! For more information – here is the website: http://www.jekyllclub.com/
photogirltravels.com 