I Stayed There: Jekyll Island Club Resort

Unfamiliar with coastal Georgia, imagine my surprise when I learned the region is home to not only beautiful, biodiverse islands but also so much history that you could — and many have — write a book on it. To say I was intrigued was an understatement, and when I started telling people about my recent discovery, I found many had the spot on their travel wish list, particularly Jekyll Island, a Gilded Age icon and modern oasis. All this considered, when I got the invite to stay at the fabulous Jekyll Island Club Resort, I was thrilled to oblige. Here’s what it was like.

The Vibe

Old Money. Upon opening its doors in 1888, Jekyll Island Club Resort acted as a hunting club and retreat for some of America’s richest families — think the Rockefellers, Morgans, Vanderbilts, Pulitzers and Bakers. In fact, the club members of the time were so well-to-do they represented a staggering one-sixth of the world’s wealth, that’s nothing to sneeze at. And while the property recently completed a comprehensive renovation of its guest rooms, cottages and dining spaces in 2024, the spirit of the “club-era” is ever present throughout its modern iteration in the form of photos and placards, the use of original flooring and thoughtful upgrades across spaces. For my husband Jake and I, the property’s old money feel was evident the moment we set foot on the property where we found ourselves instantly transported by the jazzy tunes playing over the speakers, the kindness of the staff  and the unmistakable charm of the south with its dramatic oak trees and lush greenery.  

How I Felt

Important. I cannot overstate how kind and accommodating the staff are at Jekyll Island Club Resort. From checking in upon arrival and our daily meals at The Pantry — the onsite cafe — to the man who carted us around on the free shuttle and the folks at the bike rental shop, no matter where we went or what we did, the workers treated us with such a level of care it made me feel like a rockstar.  

The Digs

Jekyll Island Club Resort boasts a variety of rooms, suites and island cottages — which, if we're being honest, are really historic mansions — for visitors to choose from. During our time here, Jake and I set up shop in one of the property’s Deluxe Guest Rooms where we found ourselves spending plenty of time in the swanky enclosed sun porch and comfortable living room. Our room was spacious and comfortable with adjustable A/C, something we Wisconsinites desperately needed in the heart of the Georgia summer, and I couldn’t get enough of the charming headboards which depicted matching brightly colored floral scenes.

During a comprehensive tour of the property, Kevin Baker, director of sales and marketing for Jekyll Island Club Resort, told us the onsite spaces are decorated in what the brand describes as “a coastal eclectic vibe while honoring the past.” And, as we compared various rooms and suites across the club, condos and cottages, including our own, we found ourselves agreeing, noting historic details like intricate woodwork and original fireplaces seamlessly paired with beachy touches like rattan armoires and colorful artwork and decor. 

As an aside, with its rich history, Jekyll Island Club Resort is believed to be one of the most haunted hotels in America, and while a few strange dreams had me leaning into the spooky ambiance, I’m happy to report any alleged ghouls seem to be of the friendly variety.

The Agenda

Jake and I visited Jekyll Island Club Resort as part of a press trip to learn more about the property’s destination wedding offerings. As such, work was on the agenda. Luckily for us, when it comes to the travel industry, work is usually pretty fun. In addition to touring the property to learn more about its unique history and potential wedding venues, we spent our days lounging by the pool and exploring the island’s expansive network of coastal bike paths. Near the beginning of our stay, we snagged tickets for a guided trolley tour of the island’s historic district which showcased the sizable collection of cottages formerly owned by those wealthy families I mentioned above. While some of the homes have fallen into a state of disrepair, many remain in good, if not great shape, allowing guests to spend the night or rent them for large events like weddings and conferences.

Another highlight during our sightseeing endeavors was our visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the state’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility, located just steps from Jekyll Island Club Resort. Jam-packed with interactive exhibits and knowledgeable displays, we had a great time learning about the work that goes into protecting local sea turtles and their hatchlings. After exploring the center, we took a walk around the corner to the onsite turtle hospital, where staff have worked to treat and rehabilitate hundreds of sick and injured turtles throughout the years. We spent some time reading about the hospital’s current patients — details like their name, where they were found and how long they’ve been there — and even had the chance to see a few hatchlings up close.

The Eats

With five onsite eateries — The Wharf, The Pantry, Grand Dining Room, The Bar & Alexander Lounge and The Pool House — and two sister eateries — The Beach Pavilion and Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar — at nearby Jekyll Ocean Club, we never went hungry during our stay. While we were lucky enough to grab a bite at almost all of the available bars and restaurants, our most frequented stop was The Pantry, Jekyll Island Club Resort’s all-day cafe where I found myself indulging in iced mochas and chicken salad salads on the daily. Jake loved this spot too, with the shrimp salad and peach smoothie being two of his favorites. 

Ready to take in everything the property had to offer, we had two dinner reservations slated during our stay, with the first being The Wharf, the resort’s historic, open-air, over-the-water dining spot. Located just footsteps from the clubhouse, we moseyed over to The Wharf with seafood and cocktails on our minds and were not disappointed. Like everywhere on the property, the staff here were great, and the Coconut Mojitos were to die for. We sampled a variety of food including the Fish & Chips Basket, Hushpuppies, Ceviche of the Day and Carmel Banana Pudding. It all slapped.

The next night, we hopped aboard the complimentary resort shuttle and made our way to Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar, the waterfront, open-air eatery at Jekyll Ocean Club. Immediately dazzled by the trendy interior, Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar wowed us with its seaside views and stylish furnishings. We began our meal with a stop at the bar where I tried a non-alcoholic Derby Day Wilderton and Jake grabbed a beer and some Wood Oven Roasted Shrimp. Everything was delicious, especially the shrimp. When it was time to make our way to our table, the staff told us about all their favorite dishes, perhaps most notably raving about the Skillet Cornbread, which of course, we had to try — spoiler alert: we agreed with the manager that it was a worthy cheat meal splurge. For our mains, we decided on the Garlic-Spinach Gnudi, a tasty pasta dish paired with spicy carrot butter, and the Diver Scallops, which were some of the fluffiest and most tender I’ve ever seen. All in all, we really enjoyed our time at Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar, and after much deliberation, decided it might have been our favorite restaurant of the bunch.

As far as casual dining went, the Grand Dining Room made for a beautiful space to enjoy a hotel breakfast, and The Bar & Alexander Lounge was a stylish spot to grab a quick refresher or a bite to eat.

Why I Would Go Back

Jekyll Island Club Resort is a beautiful property with many activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy. From its amazing restaurants and incredible views to its intriguing history and five-star staff, I’m coming up short when attempting to think of a reason I wouldn’t return to this iconic resort. If I ever find myself back in Georgia’s Golden Isles in search of a relaxing stay, Jekyll Island Club Resort would be the apple of my eye.

As for why advisors might want to consider Jekyll Island Club Resort for their clients, Baker said this: “It’s a really special destination, it’s off the beaten path, it’s a great place to come and get that feeling of being unplugged but still has the modern amenities of a destination that people will enjoy, whether it’s a quick or long visit. Everything from world-class dining, there is some shopping, there’s golf, there’s the beaches and then the history. There’s a lot to do in a small destination, but also without that feeling of being overwhelmed or overstimulated.”