CityScope® magazine Southern Gentleman® – A Guide to Premier Resorts in the South
Long hours at the office and one too many conference calls have you dreaming of your next getaway. Whether you’re up for a round of golf or a hunting expedition, an afternoon by the pool or a gourmet three-course meal, one of our featured Southern resorts is sure to suit your fancy – each unique, yet all promising a tantalizing escape from the everyday.
Less than a mile from the stately Greyfield Inn sits 18 miles of secluded, unspoiled beachfront. The mansion itself, the sole commercial property on Cumberland
Island and a former Carnegie residence, is certainly unique – as guests can only arrive by ferry. Privacy and stress-free living are themes at Greyfield, where one can kayak one morning, fish for trout the next, and spend the evenings swinging on the inn’s front porch. Seasonal produce from the on-site garden, along with fresh island shrimp and oysters, are on the menu; three meals a day are offered as part of the all-inclusive experience.
Photos Courtesy of Peter Frank Edwards
Horse-drawn carriage rides, wellness classes, fly fishing, and whiskey tastings are just a few of the activities guests can enjoy at the scenic Blackberry Farm. Celebrated as one of the nation’s greatest hidden treasures, this 4,200-acre Great Smoky Mountain resort embodies mountain living, complete with nature hikes and gourmet, wholesome cuisine made with ingredients straight from the farmstead. Historic rooms, cottages, and even a multi-bedroom house are available for a romantic weekend retreat or a weeklong outdoor adventure.
Photos Courtesy of Beall + Thomas Photography
Unplug and unwind at the High Hampton Resort, nestled on 1,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Providing a family-friendly atmosphere for nature lovers, the resort boasts a private lake for boating, fishing, and swimming, as well as tennis courts, hiking trails, and a golf course. High Hampton’s time-honored traditions of afternoon tea and dressing for dinner, along with its rustic rooms outfitted with mountain-crafted furnishings, have guests feeling as if they’ve stepped back in time to a simpler era.
Photos Courtesy of High Hampton Resort
Vacation in luxury among celebrities, politicians, and even royalty at The Greenbrier. This National Historic Landmark, open since 1778 and surrounded by the stunning Allegheny Mountains, offers world-class amenities, fine dining, and exclusive services. Favorite Greenbrier activities include championship golf, a mineral spa, retail shopping, and an eight-lane bowling alley. History buffs can enjoy guided tours of the resort, as well as the Presidents’ Cottage Museum and a Cold War-era fallout shelter, while those with a lucky streak can try their hand at the Greenbrier’s Casino Club.
Making a name for itself as one of Charleston’s newest waterfront resorts is The Beach Club. Established in 2016, The Beach Club displays genuine Southern hospitality at every turn, from cocktails at the Tiki Bar to treatments at The Estuary Spa. Ninety-two guest rooms, featuring a bright coastal palette and upscale furnishings, deliver on comfort and sophistication. The resort, operating pools and poolside cabanas, a private beach, and an on-site movie theater, provides endless entertainment and relaxation. With downtown Charleston nearby, guests have their choice of historic, unforgettable attractions to discover.
Photos Courtesy of The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
little closer to home, just one hour south of Chattanooga, is the Barnsley Resort – an authentically Southern retreat with 19th-century European charm. With an award-winning spa and golf course, not to mention activities such as fishing, horseback riding, and biking, this idyllic pedestrian-friendly destination and its iconic gardens are waiting to be explored. For the hunting enthusiast, seasonal hunting is available at the nearby SpringBank Plantation. Accommodations range from cozy estate cottages, each with its own personality and offerings, to spacious rooms in the brand-new Inn at Barnsley Resort.
