Our Jekyll Island Anniversary: Sometimes the Best Getaways Are Close to Home
An old hotel, a couple of horses, some disappointing meals, and a weekend that reminded us why getting away together matters.
Sometimes you don't need an airport, a long drive, or an elaborate itinerary to have a memorable getaway.
For our anniversary, Gina and I wanted something simple. A couple of nights away, a nice hotel, a few things to do, and most importantly, some uninterrupted time together.
We settled on Jekyll Island, Georgia, about 45 minutes from home.
It was mid-October, school was in session, and the Columbus Day weekend worked well with our family schedule. We weren't looking for a big adventure. We wanted a change of scenery and a little time to focus on each other.
And that's exactly what we got.
Checking Into a Little History
We chose the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort, a property with the kind of character we both appreciate.
We love old buildings. Not buildings that have been made to look old, but the real thing, with their original architecture, long hallways, broad porches, and the feeling that generations of guests have walked through before you.
The hotel delivered on that front.
Our suite was wonderful, the staff was excellent, and we enjoyed wandering around the property, taking in the architecture and grounds.
There was no particular rush to be anywhere. We could sit, walk, have a drink, or simply enjoy being somewhere different for a couple of days.
For us, that was a big part of the appeal.
We Dressed Up for Dinner. The Food Didn't Rise to the Occasion.
One of the things we'd planned was a special dinner in the hotel's dining room.
We made a reservation, dressed up, and looked forward to a nice evening together. Our table had even been decorated with rose petals.
It was a lovely setting.
Unfortunately, the food was another story.
My steak arrived raw and cold in the center. Gina ordered sea bass, which she thought tasted more like largemouth bass pulled from a golf course retention pond.
Not exactly the anniversary dinner we'd imagined.
It was genuinely one of the worst restaurant meals I've ever been served, which was especially disappointing given the setting and the occasion.
But here's the thing: we still enjoyed our evening.
We were dressed up, we were together, and we weren't about to let a bad dinner become the defining memory of our weekend.
The bar, fortunately, made good drinks.
Exploring Jekyll Island at a Slower Pace
We spent part of the weekend exploring the island, including a horse-drawn carriage tour through the historic district.
That was fascinating.
The guide took us past some of the old winter and seasonal homes that wealthy families from the North once used as retreats. Calling them cottages seemed a little generous. Some were enormous houses, complete with separate servants' quarters.
It was an interesting glimpse into another era, and seeing the buildings from a carriage felt appropriate to the setting.
We also went horseback riding, including a stretch along the beach.
That was one of the highlights of the weekend.
There is something special about experiencing the Georgia coast from horseback instead of through a car window. We enjoyed the ride, the scenery, and the chance to do something a little different together.
We'll cover both experiences in more detail in Exploring Jekyll Island by Horse: Our Carriage Tour and Beach Ride.
A Good Lunch, a Bad Brunch, and a Cinnamon Roll That Needed Help
Food was definitely the weak spot of our stay.
In addition to the disappointing anniversary dinner, we tried the hotel's Sunday brunch. That wasn't particularly good either.
One morning, we stopped at the property's pastry shop for coffee and a cinnamon roll. The coffee was welcome, but the cinnamon roll was dry, bland, and barely tasted of cinnamon.
Fortunately, we did find a meal we enjoyed.
We had lunch at the waterfront seafood restaurant on the resort property, and that was good. The setting by the water made it an especially pleasant stop.
The difference between our experiences was striking.
We loved the hotel itself, its atmosphere, and the people working there. The dining experiences, with that one notable exception, simply didn't measure up.
We'll get into those details in Staying at the Jekyll Island Club Resort: Beautiful Hotel, Disappointing Dining.
A Walk, a Sunset, and No Particular Schedule
Some of our favorite moments weren't scheduled activities at all.
We walked around the hotel grounds, admired the old buildings, and enjoyed the quiet pace of the island.
We also saw the capsized car carrier offshore, a striking and unusual sight against the otherwise peaceful coastal scenery.
But much of the weekend was about doing very little.
We weren't racing to attractions or trying to squeeze every possible experience into two days. We had time to enjoy our surroundings and each other's company.
And from our room, we had a beautiful sunset view over the historic property.
Was It Worth the Trip?
Absolutely.
Would we repeat every meal? Not a chance.
Would we stay at the historic hotel again? Based on the suite, the service, and the atmosphere, we'd certainly consider it, although we'd make different dining plans.
The carriage tour and horseback riding were memorable, the property was beautiful, and the entire weekend had a relaxed feel that was exactly what we'd hoped for.
Most importantly, we had time together.
Sometimes travel is about discovering somewhere new. Sometimes it's about an exciting itinerary or an unforgettable experience.
And sometimes it's about driving 45 minutes from home, checking into an old hotel, and spending a couple of days celebrating the person you're with.
For us, that was more than enough.