The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

14 Best Hotels in Atlanta | Condé Nast Traveler

"On the shores of Lake Oconee, some 80 miles east of Atlanta, the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, offers an easy escape from city life. The main resort overlooks 30 miles of shoreline with a small beach, floating hammocks, and a dock with stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Tall Georgia pines frame rolling lawns, and fire pits crackle at dusk. This is a place that makes you want to put your phone in the safe and unplug for a while. Accommodations vary widely, from 463-square-foot standard rooms to a 5,404-square-foot Lake House, including brand new Fireside Rooms with personal fire pits. Worth a trip in itself, the resort’s recently renovated sprawling spa overlooks the lake and offers everything from a simple men’s shave to a full-body scrub utilizing Georgia red clay. On sunny days, the pool deck is the place to be, and there are two to choose from. Golf, spa, swim, or simply lie in the sun; no matter how you fill your days, you’ll no doubt leave refreshed." - Lia Picard, Allison Weiss Entrekin