Escape to Lake Oconee for the Perfect Getaway (1/4)

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With the excitement of the holidays behind us and warmer weather just around the corner, there is no better time to start planning a weekend getaway. Whether you are looking to escape the pressure and distractions of daily life or just need a change of scenery, spending time away to relax, recharge and reconnect does your mind, spirit and body good, not to mention the positive impact it can have on your relationships! So whether you are looking for some alone time, want to spice up your love life, enjoy the company of guests or make memories with your family, consider packing a bag and heading east to enjoy a fun-filled weekend on the shores of Lake Oconee.

Situated halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, Lake Oconee is just far enough away to give you the vacation you have been dreaming of within an easy drive from either direction. A 20-mile-long reservoir meandering through Georgia’s lush central farmlands and antebellum townships, it has become a stylish spot to wind down from the hectic pace of city life. With 19,000± acres of water and 374± miles of shoreline, it offers everything from swimming, boating, fishing, golf and picnicking to water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding or just sitting on the shoreline with your toes in the water. There is even a luxury spa for those looking to be pampered! Lake Oconee truly offers something for everyone. 
 
Tucked into this gorgeous rolling lake country is Reynolds Lake Oconee, a 12,000± acre lakefront community featuring six carefully crafted golf courses, a unique sporting ground and all the recreational and culinary amenities befitting a world-class private club. Slip away for a few days or fully retreat for an extended stay — either way, Reynolds Lake Oconee’s world-class amenities and convenient location will make your next escape stress-free.
 
Accommodations
 
Whether you are looking for a AAA Five Diamond award-winning stay at an elegant resort and spa hotel or prefer to experience the club life and are interested in something with a bit more space and privacy, Reynolds Lake Oconee has you covered.
 

• The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee – Located lakefront in the center of the Reynolds community, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is one of the country’s most stunning lake resorts, offering guests a refined yet relaxed ambiance in an environment of casual elegance and attentive service. Your vacation becomes a retreat as soon as you arrive. Stay in the heart of nature with Lake Oconee as the beautiful backdrop and discover endless fun in the Backyard, take a dip in the infinity pool, explore by water on kayaks, paddle boards or water bikes, unwind in the spa, jump in the lake or roast s’mores under the stars. Offering rooms, suites and cottages, your luxurious lakefront stay comes with five-star amenities. Consider “putting on the Ritz” at this world-class property.

• Reynolds Vacation Rentals – If you prefer a resort-style vacation with all the comforts of home, consider renting one of the well-appointed cottages or condominiums on the property. Whether you are looking to host a family getaway, an annual golf retreat with friends or a romantic getaway for two, National Club Cottages, The Landing Cottages and The Village at Lake Club Pointe provide distinct luxury accommodations with plenty of room to spread out and offer a glimpse into the lifestyle that club members enjoy on a daily basis.

 
Dining
No matter your taste, there are plenty of dining options to choose from at Reynolds Lake Oconee. Featuring 11 distinctive on-site restaurants, you can always choose to go out in style. From intimate evenings out to leisurely brunches, meals—and the memories made around them—are one of the most beloved aspects of life at Reynolds. Here is a handful you will not want to miss.
 

• Linger Longer Steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton – Featuring a refreshed design, Linger Longer Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse with elevated interiors that simulate the feeling of being in an elegant private lakeside home. Enjoy views of the Oconee golf course while you dine on classics such as lobster bisque and certified Black Angus steaks. The dining room offers seating by the open kitchen, along with a double-sided stacked-stone fireplace. It also showcases Chill – a raw bar experience that serves up seafood favorites, including oysters, crab, lobsters and more.

• The National Tavern at Reynolds Lake Oconee – The quintessential urban tavern situated in the heart of Reynolds golf and lake country. The Reynolds culinary team sources locally grown and seasonal ingredients to create innovative and fun twists on traditional favorites, delivered in a warm and inviting pub-like surrounding. Join them for lunch or dinner at the bar and lounge, in the dining room or on either of their verandas with sweeping views. Watch the game in casual comfort or cozy up by the fire pit.

• Gaby’s by the Lake at The Ritz-Carlton – Located poolside while offering some of the most inspiring views of Lake Oconee, Gaby’s by the Lake provides relaxed dining, perfect after a day on the course or the water. And whether arriving by boat or by car, guests are welcome to enjoy the menu’s casual fare, including pizzas, salads, sandwiches and grilled dishes, as well as signature cocktails — all served up with a stunning view.

• Eighty8 Kitchen + Cocktails at Reynolds Lake Oconee – Welcome home to this clubhouse venue which has served as the historical epicenter of the Reynolds Social Scene for decades. Eighty8 Kitchen + Cocktails pays homage to its longstanding roots by serving up traditional and comfortable Southern breakfast, dinner and cocktails that feel and taste like home. Join them for a casual gathering in the Bar & Lounge or for a home-style meal in the dining room as they welcome you to Eighty8 Kitchen + Cocktails!

• Great Waters Overlook at Reynolds Lake Oconee – Graced by Lake Oconee’s picturesque natural beauty, The Overlook’s menus of shared plates, a chilled seafood bar and other mouth-watering bites is the perfect way to enjoy what is arguably our lakeside’s most idyllic setting. Open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, The Overlook allows diners to indulge in a fresh raw bar with oysters, jumbo shrimp, poached lobster tail, grilled domestic lamb chops, smoked gouda grit fritters, an array of dessert shooters and much more.

 
Recreation

• Lake Oconee and its surrounding evergreen forests make for the ideal weekend getaway. But do not be surprised if you have to plan a return trip to get it all in! Whether you prefer pastimes like fishing and hiking, more high-energy activities like riding personal watercraft or going trap shooting, or relaxing and rejuvenating in a luxurious spa, there is plenty to keep you busy.

• Golf – Amid towering Georgia oak trees, flowering dogwoods, fragrant magnolias and the sparkling Lake Oconee, you will experience golf at its finest. Designed by renowned architects Rees Jones, Tom Fazio, Bob Cupp and Jack Nicklaus, the five championship courses offer 99 holes of play, each using nature to challenge and inspire.

• Pools and Beach – Nothing says vacation like splashing in the pool or reading a good book on the beach. At The Ritz Carlton, Lake Oconee, you have it all. Boasting a luxurious infinity pool with unobstructed views of the lake, a separate family pool and a private beach, your lounge chairs, cabanas and umbrellas await.

• The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton – The healing elements of water, the benefits of locally cultivated herbs and the science behind products from ESPA and Eminence come together for a luxurious spa experience. Offering a nearly 30,000± sq. ft. retreat with extensive relaxation facilities, including saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools and an expanded ladies’ lounge, as well as an indoor pool, you will be pampered in high style.

• Water Sports – Head down to the boat docks for some family fun on the water. Young Harris Water Sports offers a wide variety of motorized watercraft and water sports equipment. So whether you are looking for a relaxing pontoon ride or some adventure tubing, Young Harris Water Sports will be happy to assist with all your needs.

• Fishing – Relax, sit back and enjoy the sunshine. Fishing is the perfect activity for a lazy day on a lake vacation. You can fish from the bank, the docks or at The Pointe. You will catch bream, sunfish, catfish and bass. Fishing Rentals come with a pole, tackle and bait. Or, if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, book a fishing excursion with a fishing guide!

• Tennis – Spend an energetic day playing tennis at the Reynolds Lake Club Tennis Center. There are two stadium-size and eight championship-size, lighted and tournament-ready courts. Eight of the courts are Har-Tru Hydro Courts, and two are traditional hard courts. Private instruction and a state-of-the-art Playmate Ball machine are available when you need a partner.

• Sporting Grounds – The hills and forests surrounding Sandy Creek Barn at The Ritz-Carlton present almost limitless possibilities for adventure. Woven into 100± acres of beautiful countryside, the pristine grounds feature an unmatched multifaceted selection of shooting challenges and sporting endeavors. From sporting clays and air rifles to five-stand and archery, there is something for shooters of all levels.

• Biking and Hiking – Featuring beautiful scenery of Georgia’s Lake Country, there are approximately eight miles of trails around the resort that are fully paved with moderate to extreme elevation changes. Get a map from the concierge and set out on foot, or rent a bicycle and cruise the area to explore all that it has to offer.

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