Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

•The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is located on stunning Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in Georgia offering many opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, cruises, fishing, and paddleboats

•Guest rooms, suites, and cottages are designed for luxury, and overlook either the lake or golf courses

•Five dining areas provide a wide range of foods, from sandwiches to gourmet cuisine, and the lounge is ideal for cocktails and live music

•Supervised activities for 5 to 12 year olds include nature scavenger hunts, fishing expeditions, and movie nights

•Business center is well-equipped with staff and resources to accommodate individual travelers, and large meeting rooms are ideal for corporate meetings and retreats

•Recreation activities include 99 holes for golfers and a magnificent Mobil Four-Star 26,000-square-foot spa with 19 treatment rooms

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

• 251 rooms. Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Three restaurants, three bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, children's pool, whirlpool. Golf, 99 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

Just more than an hour from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is a delightful, scenic retreat. The entire resort is designed to capitalize on its beautiful natural surroundings on the banks of Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in the state. Whether you come to take advantage of its expansive conference facilities or to just relax as I did, this exclusive property offers a true escape to luxury.

Designed to fit in with its Northern Georgia setting, this resort exudes Southern charm from the main lodge building with guest rooms and suites to its private cottages designed for a large family or group. I was impressed by how the grounds were manicured to precision, while still leaving so much of the natural beauty. I found numerous places to just sit, relax, and enjoy the lake views. But if you choose to stay active, you’ll never run out of things to do. Lake Oconee provides a wonderful setting for countless water sports to complement the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis facilities, 99 holes of golf, and, of course, the amazing 26,000-square-foot spa with 19 treatment rooms.

Guests also will be impressed with the variety and caliber of foods served on the property. There are five dining options and one lounge area to choose from, so none will be too crowded at any given time. The formal dining room, with its stacked stone fireplace and antler chandeliers, serves Southern cuisine with gourmet flair. A lakeside restaurant provides a casual menu of sandwiches, salads, and alcoholic drinks or specialty iced teas. A bar and grill at the clubhouse serves classic steak dishes, and a private dining room caters to intimate parties of up to 12 guests. A lobby lounge in the main lodge lets guests enjoy a before-dinner cocktail or nightcap while overlooking the lake.

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation doesn’t stop with simply a children’s menu when it comes to catering to its younger guests. The grounds provide so much for kids to explore that supervised activities are offered through the Ritz Kids program for 5 to 12 year olds. Parents will be relieved to find baby-sitting services and child safety devices in rooms.

Business travelers will appreciate the numerous meeting rooms and business center for corporate retreats and conferences. Afterward, they can enjoy the 99 holes of championship golf courses or bass fishing on the lake. Leisure travelers also will find many relaxing activities, including horseback riding, lake cruises, tennis, and bike rentals to help them escape for a weekend or longer.

Romantic travelers interested in celebrating a wedding or an anniversary can easily find privacy and relaxation on the 35-acre resort. The staff caters to romance with lakeside dining for two in front of chimineas, or in-room couples massages offered through the spa.

(+) Beautiful natural setting with complete resort activities and amenities for all types of travelers

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

My warm welcome to The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation made me feel right at home. The receptionist greeted me and, upon learning my name, acknowledged my spa appointment. She took care of making sure my bags were delivered to my room so I could immediately go for my spa treatment. Such initiative and attention to detail helped me relax right away. When I returned to check in, she asked about my experience and gave me several suggestions for lunch, suspecting I might be hungry.

The staff was personable and helpful throughout my stay. Even the bellman -- with his knickers, Argyll socks, vest, and cap to keep with the lodge's golf theme -- had a great attitude to match. A Bath Butler helped draw a bath surrounded by candles, and a golf concierge tended to golfers’ every request. Guests can expect this level of service and continuous pampering from a well-trained, astute staff.

The spa staff was very friendly and knowledgeable while providing me with a spectacular treatment. Occasionally staff would lose focus and socialize with each other, but it didn't seriously diminish the entire experience for me.

The fitness center staff more than made up for any spa staff oversight by being very attentive. When I decided to go outside to finish my coffee before my workout, a staff member immediately brought me a towel to put on a chair, pointing out that the chairs sometimes become wet overnight.

(+) Well-trained staff provides warm Southern hospitality
(-) Spa staff occasionally engaged in private conversations during treatments

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

The exclusive Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation resort offers guests many options for enjoying the beautiful Lake Oconee surroundings. The main lodge has 238 guest rooms and suites that are decorated with warm, inviting colors, king-size beds, and granite and marble bathrooms. Guests can enjoy spectacular lake views from their own private verandas. The main lodge also includes 33 Club Level suites and guest rooms. The Ritz’s Club Level takes Ritz’-style pampering up a notch, providing a private lounge area where guests might enjoy coffee or a glass of wine, either in front of the stacked stone fireplace or on the spacious terrace overlooking the lake. Club Level also features a personalized concierge service for those select guests.

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation offers a choice of five two-bedroom or one three-bedroom cottages with private verandas overlooking the lake or golf course. The Presidential House is an exquisite 5,400-square-foot home with four master bedroom suites, a dining room that comfortably seats 16, a pool table and wet bar, and a private pool. Guests of the cottages and the Presidential House receive preferred reservations for both dining and golf.

I enjoyed how my room was decorated with deep colors and plush fabrics, reminding me of a warm, well-appointed home. The 400-thread count Frette linens only added to the comfort of my plush, king-sized bed. The granite and marble bath, with separate glass shower, made my bathroom feel like a retreat of its own. Even more stunning was the view of the lake from my private veranda.

(+) Inviting, comfortable guest rooms and suites with private verandas

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

The two words “Ritz” and “resort” say it all. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is the ultimate resort with the luxury and added details that comes from being part of Ritz-Carlton.

Its Mobil Four-Star 26,000-square-foot spa features 19 treatment rooms as well as a couple’s suite. A wide selection of Prada Beauty treatments help provide guests with ultimate relaxation, utilizing diverse applications from eucalyptus oils to Oconee mud. Manicures and pedicures are also available and I took advantage of that offering. While the spa itself was exquisite, at times the staff seemed inexperienced in delivering fully personalized service.

The state-of-the art fitness center includes a full compliment of cardiovascular equipment options such as elliptical machines, treadmills, climbing stairs, and exercise bikes. Most cardiovascular machines had their own flat-screen televisions and those that didn't had headsets hooked to four public televisions.

A golf theme runs throughout the resort, which is appropriate because the expertise of golf course architects Rees Jones and Tom Fazio, and pro golfer Jack Nicklaus have helped make this one of the top golf destinations in the United States. With five challenging and respected courses, the resort offers 99 holes of championship golf. An added feature is the exclusive Taylor Made Lab, which offers guests a high-tech option for the ultimate in club-fitting. One of only three in the country, the Lab enlists cameras and wearable reflectors to help provide Motion Analysis Technology to collect detailed data about the player and his or her club needs.

Located on Lake Oconee, the Lodge also offers numerous water sports, including fishing, boating, swimming, and skiing. Tennis, horseback riding, and sport shooting also are offered to help guests take advantage of the endless natural setting on 35 acres.

(+) Numerous recreation and relaxation possibilities available for the ultimate resort experience
(-) Spa treatment and services not as polished as expected

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation will find plenty of dining options to satisfy their tastes in the five on-site dining areas and one lounge.

The Resort’s signature restaurant is Georgia’s. Renowned for its regional cuisine, dishes include such Southern delights as pecans, peaches, and Vidalia onions. The Southern theme continues with the room's decor of antler chandeliers, stacked stone fireplace, timber ceilings, wooden tables, and oil paintings. I enjoyed breakfast at Georgia’s, which included a buffet. The meal was delicious with a nice presentation in almost all areas, although my coffee was cold by the time I returned from the buffet. The hostess was thoughtful, however, bringing me reading materials because I was dining alone.

For those interested in hosting a traditional private dinner, they can invite up to 12 people in the Ambassador's Room to enjoy Georgia's menu or the chef's specially created menu.

The Linger Longer Bar & Grill caters to those who enjoy classic steakhouse cuisine, featuring Angus beef, fresh seafood, signature soufflés, and a dessert list that will appeal to the most discriminating sweet tooth. The casual dining atmosphere and Oconee Clubhouse location make it ideal for after-golf lunch or early dinner. You can also look forward to enjoying jazz performers on the weekends.

Gaby’s by the Lake is the resort’s “come as you are” café, located poolside. The casual menu of sandwiches, salads, grilled foods, frozen drinks, beers, and specialty iced teas makes it a prime location for lunch. For those seeking lighter fair, the Spa Café offers a variety of healthy entrées.

The Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge is an intimate, cozy gathering spot for a cocktail before dinner or a drink before bedtime. Stay up a little longer on Friday and Saturday nights for live entertainment and dancing until the late hours.

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation offers the Ritz’s traditional 24-hour room service, but with a limited menu. During my stay, my in-room dining included very good food, but the room service operator seemed inexperienced and unfamiliar with the menu. He also failed to notice that I had not ordered a beverage.

Two special dining services offered to guests include the Barbeque Butler and the Chiminea Dinner. Served in front of a roaring fire, guests opting for the Chiminea Dinner sit in Adirondack chairs while enjoying seafood, Asian, Southern, or Italian chilled samplers. Served with a bottle of wine, the dinner is presented in bento boxes and includes the resort's famous s'mores.

The Barbeque Butler is the ultimate made-to-order cookout, available for guests of the cottages and the Presidential House. Guests are assisted in picking out woods to smoke ribs and other meats, and specialty sauces for roasting sauce-smothered chicken.

(+) Numerous dining possibilities with exquisite food
(-) Room service presentation occasionally wasn't as polished as the menu

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation caters to both large and small business meetings, offering 15,000 square feet of meeting space in two grand ballrooms and 10 conference rooms. A full-service business center can help prepare materials and provide secretarial or translation help. The hotel's audiovisual department also can help by providing sound system accessories, installing lighting and projectors, or setting up other presentation devices.

I was greeted immediately at the business center. When I sought help with overnighting a package, they suggested several shipping options. I was pleasantly surprised over the professionalism of the staff dedicated to running this business facility. While business conferences were obviously taking place, I did not feel they dominated the resort, and their activities blended well with other guests.

Individual business travelers will find their rooms equipped with Internet and wireless capabilities. If a problem occurs, a Technology Butler can be called to help find a solution.

(+) Programs and services designed to cater to solo business travelers or large corporate gatherings