Highlights: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

•The Lodge at Sea Island is located on a beautiful barrier island off Georgia’s coast, providing the quintessential private club experience

•Gracious Southern charm and seamless personalized service are a winning combination

•Classic and timeless, the decor brings to mind an English country manor

•Casual and formal dining options at a variety of restaurants around the island

•Unsurpassed conference facilities host businesses and organizations from around the globe

•A recognized destination for golf, The Lodge at Sea Island also offers spa facilities and a host of beach activities

Amenities: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

• 40 rooms, 3 story. Complimentary continental breakfast. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, two bars. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Whirlpool. Golf, 54 holes. Tennis. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

Founded more than 75 years ago, Sea Island is a luxury resort island off the coast of southern Georgia. Sea Island is host to a number of outstanding hotels, but the crown jewel is the distinguished The Lodge at Sea Island. This impressive hotel combines the traditions of the Old South with European sophistication and elegance to create a truly memorable experience. The Lodge is limited to 40 exclusive and opulent guest rooms, each of which comes with round-the-clock personal butler service.

My arrival through the resort’s massive stone entrance gate set the tone for me. As I drove down the majestic oak-lined road along the golf course, I felt as if I was on the private grounds of a luxurious estate. Likewise, the emphasis on service was also evident from the moment I pulled up to the front door. The valet seemed to take a genuine interest in my arrival, escorting me into the lobby to introduce me to the concierge, who in turn introduced me to my personal butler. Check-in at The Lodge takes place in the guest’s room, so my orientation to the resort happened naturally -- almost without my notice -- as my butler escorted me to my quarters.

The Lodge has its own exquisite on-site dining, but there are a variety of other options throughout Sea Island, from casual to formal. The resort’s 24-hour room service will satisfy almost any kind of midnight craving, and couples seeking a more romantic setting can arrange for a gourmet picnic-basket lunch with private transportation to any place on Sea Island.

The Lodge at Sea Island’s staff can deftly handle just about any type of conference or business gathering, as it proved in 2004 when Sea Island played host to the G8 Summit of World Leaders. Solo business travelers also will feel right at home at The Lodge; each room has access to a personal valet who will assist with work needs. For family travelers, The Lodge offers many activities geared toward families from children’s menus to special activities for teens like bowling and shopping excursions.

As evidenced by its three championship courses, The Lodge at Sea Island is an ideal golf retreat. But even if golf isn’t your sport, you’ll find plenty of other recreational activities, including tennis, horseback riding, shooting, and water-based pursuits such as boating and fishing. Or you may simply choose to pamper yourself in the comfort of The Lodge’s spa or the nearby Spa at Sea Island.

If you want to explore Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island will hand you the keys to a Range Rover equipped with a GPS tracking system. And if you want to document your off-site expedition but don’t have a camera, the Lodge can provide you with a digital camera as well. These are just two examples of this hotel’s commitment to its guests’ satisfaction.

(+) Great location, fine-tuned service, and refined style

Guest Services: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

The entire staff at the Lodge at Sea Island exuded warmth and gracious Southern charm, treating me as if I was staying in a private home. But it was the personal butler that really distinguished the service at this hotel as above and beyond any other I’ve encountered. My personal butler met me at the concierge desk, walked me to my room -- where my bags were waiting, and then helped me unpack. The outstanding service did not stop with my butler; it extended to every staff member I encountered.

The telephone receptionists, for example, generally were good about answering within two rings, and always addressing me by name and in a polite manner. Whenever I called to request an item, it was delivered promptly on a silver tray.

Checkout was nearly seamless. True to form, my butler made sure I was packed and ready to depart. Meanwhile, the bellman asked if I needed luggage assistance when he called for my vehicle. The only glitch in the whole process was at checkout. During my stay, I had used some mini-bar items, and the gentleman checking me out did not know the prices to post. When we figured it out, he was unable to print the bill. Once I was checked out, the butler offered me cold water for my drive, and the staff wished me well.

(+) Personal treatment makes guests feel welcomed and cared for

Guest Rooms: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

Classic and timeless, The Lodge at Sea Island caters to guests accustomed to the finest accommodations. The exclusive guest rooms are in the style of an old English golf lodge with exposed solid wood beams, Oriental rugs, and antique-style furniture. Its 40 guest rooms and suites provide wonderful views of both the Plantation Golf Course and the Atlantic Ocean.

My spacious room was decorated in burgundy tones, with comfortable overstuffed chairs. Special features included solid wood doors, hardwood floors, two large closets, and 316 thread count Frette linens. My spacious marble bathroom featured a deep-soaking tub, a separate shower, and heated towel bars. It was stocked with luxurious and thoughtful amenities such as bath salts, nail care products, a lint brush, and a loran.

One of my favorite extras was the cookies and milk turndown. I was given a card so that I could request a time for delivery, and the cookies arrived promptly, hot out of the oven and with ice-cold milk. I made a point of stepping out on my terrace between 7 and 8 p.m. to hear a bagpiper play. This spirit-lifting tradition has been in place throughout The Lodge’s history.

(+) Guest rooms reflect elegance and warmth

Facilities & Activities: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

Sea Island is a complete golf retreat, offering three championship courses (the Plantation, Seaside, and Retreat) for guests of any of the four lodging options on the Sea Island Resort grounds. The renowned Golf Learning Center provides expert instruction, as well as club-fitting and fitness programs.

World-class tennis is also part of the Sea Island legacy; lessons are offered for both adults and children. If you’re not a golfer or a tennis player, there are a variety of other recreational activities from which to choose, including beach outings, fishing, boating, shooting, and horseback riding.

If you simply want to relax, you can head to The Lodge Spa, which provides everything from massages to skin treatments, and also serves wellness cuisine. Special wellness classes teach guests how to read nutrition labels, and shop for and prepare healthy meals.

The Beach Club has a large fitness center with classes and trainers. However, the fitness center at The Lodge is much smaller and has limited equipment; I was disappointed that it didn’t offer more cardio machines and weights. The fitness center and golfers share locker rooms at The Lodge.

(+) Numerous opportunities for recreation include golf, tennis and a spa
(-) The Lodge’s fitness room is small with limited equipment

Dining & Lounge: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

Sea Island has numerous fine and casual dining options throughout the resort, including a “family night” supper every Monday at the Beach Club that features pony rides on the beach for the kids. The most elegant choice is the grand Georgian Room, located in island’s original hotel, The Cloister.

In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, and judging from my experience, it’s a service every guest should experience. Guests can choose from a number of entrees from the many eateries in The Lodge. With a personal butler and in-room dining staff, the presentation and service are both first-rate.

(+) A wide variety of fine and casual dining options with excellent food and surroundings

Business Services: The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club

The Sea Island Resorts, particularly The Lodge, has built a reputation for catering to business conferences -- it was the site of the 2004 G8 Summit of World Leaders. The Lodge’s extensive equipment and technology enables it to host just about any type of business gathering, and the hotel can help with every aspect of an event from catering to technical support and organizing team-building activities.

Internet access is available in each room, and a personal valet can assist with faxing or printing needs. There is also a small business center with two computers and complete printing, copying, and faxing capabilities.

(+) Business travelers are well accommodated, whether they work in their rooms or use the business center