Community News
Sea Island Resorts Among Best
The Cloister and the Lodge retain Five-Start rating from Forbes Travel. The stars continue to shine on Sea Island Co. resorts on St. Simons and Sea islands. For the second year in a row, the resort operator has received the top Five-Star awards for its The Cloister hotel, the Georgian Room restaurant, Cloister spa, all on Sea Island, and The Lodge hotel, on St. Simons Island. The awards that recognize a combination of superior service and facilities are from Forbes Travel Guide, which this summer acquired and renamed the Mobil Travel Guide that had rated accommodations and restaurants with from one to five stars since 1958.
In keeping its apex in the ratings constellation, the Sea Island Co. operations rank among 47 hotels, 21 restaurants and 13 spas in North America with the top Five-Star rating for 2010, announced Monday. The only other Five-Star hotel in Georgia is the Four Seasons in Atlanta. "Receiving four Five-Star awards last year was historic and remarkable. Receiving four again this year is truly extraordinary, and refl ects the loyalty, dedication and hard work by an equally extraordinary staff," Bill Jones III, Sea Island Co. chairman and chief executive, said in a prepared statement.
In assessing The Cloister hotel, Forbes said: "This 80-year-old resort recently underwent an impressive $350 million renovation, which included the addition of a magnifi cent spa. Wood-beamed rooms are now decorated with rich, jewel-toned Turkish rugs and plush, pillow-topped beds. The many restaurants now include a casual raw bar and grill, where after-beach oysters and cocktails are the specialty."
Of the Georgian Room restaurant, it said: The décor is stunningly grand, with bas-relief details, gilded chandeliers and a carved stone fi replace. Tables are set with crisp white linens, handpainted china and silver fl atware. Dishes highlight seasonal, fresh ingredients ..." Forbes said of The Cloister spa: "... The Cloister spa focuses on customization, with 26 treatment rooms dedicated to an extensive menu of offerings. Spa guides design an experience for guests that may include anything from nutritional consultations to body work, baths, wraps and energy treatments."
The Lodge was recognized by Forbes as "created in the spirit of European sporting estates, this resort features fi rst-rate tennis and equestrian facilities, three championship golf courses and tastefully decorated accommodations with private balconies." In addition to the Forbes awards, The Lodge separately has continued its hold on the AAA top-level Five-Diamond award it has received every year since it was opened in 2001. AAA will rate The Cloister after all residential construction at the resort is complete.