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Planning Your Trip

A weekend getaway at this lakefront resort near Atlanta could take you on a different path each day. Playing one (or all) five championship golf courses, kayaking, antiques-shopping or an afternoon at the spa require advanced planning when it comes to what to pack for your visit.

Unwind in a Poolside Cabana

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Immerse yourself in the history and charm of Georgia’s Lake Country, whose pristine small towns brim with rich culture, tempting cuisine and modern diversions.

 

  • Dress for ease and comfort: lightweight layers, comfortable walking shoes. Expect a few hot days in summer; in winter, evening temperatures can dip below freezing.
  • Bring running shoes and your usual workout gear for exercising in the hotel or outdoors. For outdoor adventures, items such as casual dri-fit active wear like shorts, leggings, T-shirts and sneakers are best. And don’t forget a bathing suit — head for a dip in the infinity pool or the indoor spa pool, or enjoy some time playing in the lake and along the beach.
  • Pack a roomy tote bag, backpack or purse to carry the essentials — from your phone and wallet to a bottle of water and a camera — during the day.
Hacker-Craft Boat Experience

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

The Lake Oconee area abounds with opportunities to enjoy nature, from hiking and biking to adventure tubing, boating, personal watercraft and fishing.

 

  • Take along hiking boots or sturdy running shoes for hiking or jogging on the surrounding area’s many wooded trails.
  • Planning a water adventure? Pack waterproof shoes that don’t slide off easily. You can rent Jet Skis, a Tritoon Double Decker boat with a slide, and Wake Boats from Young Harris Watersports. Or you can take things a little slower and cruise around the lake on a stand-up paddle board or kayak.  
  • Whether you’ll be playing tennis, canoeing or touring Lake Oconee in a Wooden Hacker-Craft Boat, sunscreen is essential. If you plan on tubing or riding a Jet Ski, consider hats and sunglasses specially designed to withstand the speed. A dry bag will keep tech essentials, wallets and keys safe from the water.

 

Aerial View - Lake Oconee & Oconee Course

GOLF GETAWAY

In preparation for your golf getaway there are a few items that are must-packs in order to achieve greatness on the greens.

 

 

  • Golf bags — skip the hassle of carrying your clubs on the plane and have them shipped in advance to the resort. You can also rent clubs and shoes from the golf course.
  • Gear — aside from your favorite clubs and balls, performance-enhancing extras like custom gloves and a GPS-enabled golf watch will come in handy when you are searching for your ball on the fairways.
  • Year-round, sunscreen, golf shades and visors are a must while hitting the greens. Don’t forget to stop by the Golf Shop for any last minute items such as a ball marker, golf towel or a cigar to celebrate your hole in one.  
Don't Forget:

If you are an antique lover, try not to miss nearby gems such as the Greensboro Antique Mall and Madison Markets. Many dealers will arrange white-glove shipments within the continental U.S., so no need to leave an impeccable folk art cabinet or French still-life painting behind. You will, however, want to know your optimum dimensions in advance if you plan on hunting down anything of size, so be sure to take measurements of key rooms or existing pieces in advance to bring along on your treasure hunt.

A getaway to this Georgia resort requires you to make some big decisions: spa, golf or both? Reservations are encouraged if you’re planning to play a few rounds, hoping to spend a day fishing the lake, or want to enjoy a private dinner on the waterfront or experience healing at the luxury spa.

TEE TIMES

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Roughly an hour’s drive west of Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters Tournament, championship golf is part of the landscape of Lake Oconee. The resort’s five courses — The Landing, The Preserve, The National, The Oconee and Great Waters — range from wide, relaxing fairways to some of the most artistically designed, challenging layouts in the U.S. Set amid Lake Oconee’s expansive vistas and spectacular scenery, the courses were designed by legendary golf architects, including Jack Nicklaus and Rees Jones. To schedule a tee time at any of the courses, please call (706) 467-7135.

OUTDOOR EXCURSIONS

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Reservations are not required for many of the resort’s on-site activities, from YOLO Boards (an easier version of stand-up paddle boards) to canoeing and biking. For a half-day, guided fishing expedition for one to four people, you will need your fishing license and a reservation with the resort just one day in advance. You will also want to book motorized watercraft and watersports in advance with Young Harris Watersports, especially for holiday weekends. Relax at the end of a long day while remaining in the great outdoors with a private lakeside Fireside Flavors Experience around your personal fire globe; call the guest relations team at (706) 467-7135 to reserve.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

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The resort offers a wealth of seasonal activities for little ones, and you will want to reserve your spot in advance to start building the anticipation at home. Fall brings the Great Pumpkin Festival and “spooktacular” rides aboard the resort’s favorite Linger Longer Express train. In winter, look forward to ice skating, Breakfast with Santa and gingerbread workshops, among other holiday delights. During summer, enjoy the Ritz Kids Lake Adventures program, a dip in the Family Pool or playing in the Ritz Kids Arcade. All year long, enjoy complimentary 10-minute rides aboard the Linger Longer Express, which lets little ones see the resort’s most scenic areas daily from a one-of-a-kind locomotive experience.  

SPA APPOINTMENTS

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Immerse yourself in a true Southern gem: a pampering spa experience inspired by the region’s indigenous plans. For the ultimate local treatment, try the Relaxation Massage, an aromatherapy massage that uses a blend of essential oils to melt away tension to help you unwind and de-stress. Visit the Gents’ Den for a shave and a haircut accompanied by complimentary bourbon tastings and your choice of sports or other TV entertainment. Or enjoy an expert pedicure in the nail treatment room or simply a rejuvenating dip in the indoor pool. Call the spa team at (706) 467-7185 to reserve your next spa treatment.  

A weekend at this Georgia resort may seem like enough time, but these carefully designed itineraries can help you make the most of your getaway. Created by the resort’s Ladies and Gentlemen, experts on offerings both on property and nearby, itineraries provide the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation.

Pet-friendly fun in the Backyard

Family Vacation Fun

Lake Oconee and its surrounding evergreen forests are ideal for family fun, no matter whether you prefer pastimes like fishing and hiking or more high-energy hijinks like riding personal watercraft or going trap shooting. Quaint nearby towns and historic monuments inspire reflection about Georgia’s past, while modern eateries, bakeries and breweries offer delectable tastes of the here and now, and experiences your family will remember long into the future.

 

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Lake View Fireside Guest Room - Patio

The Perfect Weekend

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, located an hour or so outside of Atlanta, is a dream destination, a place where outdoor recreation and rejuvenation combine across hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline and thousands of acres of forested hillsides. Golfers flock to the region for its impressive selection of courses — 99 holes designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp — as well as private instruction from PGA professionals and custom-fit clubs built on-site. 

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