In the Gulch neighborhood a few blocks from downtown, try one of five king rooms hung with rotating works of art at the nearly hidden Hotel 404 ( /hotel rooms from $275).Īnd just before you cross the state border into Georgia, you’ll reach Chattanooga, a cosmopolitan Have a pair of custom jeans tailored while you wait at Imogene + Willie ( ), a gas station turned denim boutique. In the booming Berry Hill neighborhood, visit former Chicago chef Dale Levitski (Frog N Snail) at Sinema (2600 Franklin Pike), his new restaurant opening in June inside an old two-story art deco theatre. Indianapolis → Nashville: 287 miles, 4 hours So at some point, just pull up a chaise and give in. The wide shoreline, loved by loggerhead sea turtles, is your gateway to the surrounding tributaries of a saltwater tidal marsh, alive with creatures including dolphins, giant horseshoe crabs, and pelicans. Test the world-class fairways and greens at the Lodge, the Cloister’s posh sister resort, a short shuttle ride away on St. As a guest at the Cloister, a sprawling resort complex, you can learn archery, practice skeet shooting, fine-tune your backhand on the tennis courts, fish for tarpon, or simply indulge in a massage. A massive canopy of live oaks draped in Spanish moss and a salty breeze will greet you.Ĭommitting to a resort vacation on a private isle may require a leap: Will there be enough to do? Sea Island, long a playground for the Southern elite, offers an almost absurd variety of activities. Simons Island, itself a lovely vacation spot, then proceed down a private drive. To get there from mainland Georgia, cross St. Slow down the clock and take the famously scenic Highway 17, which follows Georgia’s inlet-fringed coast, for the final leg to Sea Island, a key-shaped sliver of oceanfront property owned by a consortium that operates the two lavish resorts in the area. Stay in Savannah, the next stop, just long enough to absorb its lush antebellum vibe. Atlanta is easily the most metropolitan of the cities on the route, but dogwood, oak, and elderberry trees push in everywhere. Look for inven- tiveness in unexpected places-a sus- tainable brewery run by two passionate owners, a tiny curated hotel, and an am- bitious new restaurant called Sinema in the Berry Hill neighborhood (say hello to chef Dale Levitski, who recently moved to Nashville from Chicago).īright green hills and thickly forested ridges emerge as you drive alongside the Tennessee River. When you cross the Cumberland River and pull into the neon-blazed streets of Nashville, you’ll get a sense of why Music City has taken on a new moniker of late: Nash Vegas, meant to suggest that the iconic place has evolved into something more creative, daring, and hip. Guests are encouraged to do everything – or nothing at all.The South arrives quickly as you roll through Kentucky horse country in the hills surrounding Louisville and approach Tennessee. All three settings offer ready access to resort amenities, including The Spa, boating, tennis, squash, and beach activities. Luxury accommodations within The Cloister are available in three distinctive settings: The Cloister (main building and wings), The Cloister Beach Club Suites, and The Cloister Ocean Villas. Four dining establishments are housed within The Cloister area, including the renowned Georgian Room – Georgia's only Forbes Five-star restaurant. Fine dining is an essential part of The Cloister experience. From a bird's-eye view, The Cloister encompasses a sprawling range of buildings and amenities, including the Sea Island Yacht Club, The Cloister Spa, and The Cloister Beach Club. This renowned architectural icon extends into lush, captivating gardens, while rising boldly at river's edge. At the heart of The Cloister is the main building, Sea Island's Mediterranean-masterpiece, inspired by the original 1928 Cloister building. Accommodations at The Cloister have received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Forbes Five-Star award.
The Cloister is Sea Island's central experience, encompassing the full spectrum of resort amenities and activities. Surrender to the lure of 200 world-class hotel rooms and suites showcasing a unique natural setting and exclusive access to five miles of private beach. Experience the personal service, spectacular dining, and signature activities that have made The Cloister an enduring tradition. Generations of discriminating guests have returned again and again to this secluded coastal retreat. From its inception, The Cloister at Sea Island has been defined by legendary elegance.