9 Most Romantic B&B’s in Georgia for a Much-Needed Getaway

Read article : 9 Most Romantic B&B’s in Georgia for a Much-Needed Getaway

If you’re looking for more than just a place to sleep when you travel, consider staying at more B&Bs. There are lots of charming B&Bs in Georgia that offer personalized service, Southern hospitality, and a local perspective. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just looking to get away for a weekend with someone you love, here are the most romantic B&Bs to stay at in Georgia.

The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast

Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast, Covington (Prices & Photos)

The movie, Gone with the Wind, inspired this lovely Antebellum home that was built in 1836. You can stop by for a tour of the home, or better yet, book an overnight reservation in the mansion. It has been featured in many publications and books and was renovated in 2012 with modern conveniences. Now you can expect to find luxurious spa tubs, remote control fireplaces, Wi-Fi, and even rib cage showers in the grand suites. In the morning, you’ll enjoy a locally sourced Southern breakfast, and there’s also a Southern Sippin’ and Nibblin’ Hour in the evenings. Covington, Georgia has been called the “Hollywood of the South” because so many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

Catherine Ward House Inn

Catherine Ward House Inn, Savannah (Prices & Photos)

This is an 1880s home that truly embodies Southern charm in Savannah’s Victorian District. You’ll find intricately designed styles of architecture both inside and out, with nine guest rooms to stay in. Each room has its own personality, and the B&B is just a short walk away from Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park. It’s easy to walk to all the local restaurants and shops from here too. The home has been recently renovated with luxurious bathroom features, and breakfast is served daily from 8:30am to 9:30am. High-speed Wi-Fi is offered for guests at no charge, and free street parking is available on the B&B’s quiet residential street.

Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast

Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast, Lookout Mountain (Prices & Photos)

Another wonderfully romantic B&B in Georgia is the Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast. It is about 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee and an ideal home base to visit local attractions, like Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway. You can also get outside and active while staying here, thanks to the hiking and biking trails nearby. The Inn is set atop Lookout Mountain and offers lovely views of the Chattanooga Valley down below. Included amenities include a full homemade breakfast, evening cookies and desert, an in-ground pool, and bocce ball court. The guest rooms have private baths, and some have individual outdoor patios too. Romantic packages offered include champagne, truffles, seasonal flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries, and spa services.

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn and Spa

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn and Spa, Sautee Nacoochee (Prices & Photos)

Located in Sautee Nacoochee, this is a luxury B&B with a day spa that’s located high on top of a mountain. The Spa at Lucille’s offers day spa services and is adjoined to the B&B inn. Typical gourmet breakfast offerings include creme brûlée French toast with minted strawberries, asparagus and goat cheese quiche, and Applewood smoked bacon. There are lots of wineries nearby to explore, as well as adventure activities like hot air balloon rides, zip lining, horseback riding, and waterfall hikes. Make sure to time to the top of the Crow’s Nest before sunset for awesome views of the Sautee Valley and mountains. Romantic add-ons include champagne, a dozen roses, and a bottle of wine waiting for you upon check-in.

Beachview Bed & Breakfast

Beachview Bed and Breakfast, Tybee Island (Prices & Photos)

Tybee Island is a fun place to visit with your sweetheart, especially if you stay at the Beachview Bed & Breakfast. There are eight guest rooms here that each have their own distinctive décor. The Presidential Suite and the Love Shack are favorites among couples. This is also a dog-friendly establishment, so feel free to bring your pup along! You’ll enjoy farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast and dessert before bedtime. Since this is a commercial B&B, you can even buy a glass or bottle of beer or wine to take back to your room.

Long Mountain Lodge Bed & Breakfast

Long Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inn, Dahlonega (Prices & Photos)

Dahlonega is another ideal getaway destination for lovers because of all the wineries and outdoor adventure opportunities here. The Long Mountain Lodge is both upscale and rustic, located near the Chattahoochee National Forest and close to the Appalachian Trail. Most of the B&B rooms have a wood-burning fireplace, private entrances, and jetted tubs. B&B guests will also enjoy delicious full, three-course breakfasts, which are served in the main lodge. Some of the favorite dishes here include blueberry pancakes, egg puffs, sausage, and home-fried potatoes.

Spencer House Inn

Spencer House Inn Bed and Breakfast, St. Mary’s (Prices & Photos)

Head to the historic district of St. Mary’s, Georgia for a quaint place to stay near Cumberland Island National Seashore. The history of the Spencer House Inn B&B dates back to 1872 and provides a coastal retreat that’s brimming with romance. There are 14 guest rooms here, some with clawfoot soaking tubs and others with traditional showers and tubs. A full breakfast is served each morning, and guests enjoy peace iced tea and treats in the afternoons. For a touch of romance, you can arrange for breakfast in bed, wine or champagne in the room, or a seasonal flower arrangement.

Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast

While many of these B&Bs are in remote and rural parts of Georgia, Stonehurst is a great city B&B right here in the heart of Atlanta.  This is a 19th-century Midtown mansion that values both modern amenities and historical preservation. There are elegant six rooms and suites here, as well as landscaped gardens a front parlor with a grand parlor, and a relaxing porch. It’s easy to check out the city’s top attractions, like Piedmont Park and the Fox Theatre, when you stay at Stonehurst.

1842 Inn

1842 Inn Bed and Breakfast, Macon (Prices & Photos)

One of the most romantic spots to stay in Macon is the 1842 Inn Bed and Breakfast, which was built in 1842 by John Gresham. With a significant display of Greek revival architecture, this inn has 19 guest rooms, as well as hospitality parlors and a courtyard. Breakfast is served each morning, and complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and beverages are served at daily evening hospitality hours. Order a mint julep at the cash bar and relax in one of the four public parlors after a day of sightseeing around Macon.

Review: Park Hyatt Toronto

Read article : Review: Park Hyatt Toronto

I spent about 36 hours in Toronto this past weekend visiting friends, which was my first time spending a night in the city. In the past I’ve visited the city for an afternoon during a long layover, and I’ve spent the night near the airport, but I’ve never spent a night in the city.

As a Hyatt and Starwood loyalist I took a close look at the options — Hyatt has two properties (a Regency and a Park), and then Starwood has several properties, all of which are mid-range and look cookie cutter.

So I decided to book the Park Hyatt Toronto, which had rates of 279CAD per night (~215USD). Best of all that rate was bookable through Virtuoso, which got me the following benefits:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full, not applicable to Spa Products purchases or Gift shop)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Admittedly a lot of these perks overlapped with my Diamond status, but at a minimum I’d be getting a 100CAD hotel credit. The Virtuoso rate was the same as the flexible rate and just 15CAD per night higher than the advance purchase rate, so was well worth it to me.

I should note that before I stayed here, several friends warned me that this is one of the dumpier Park Hyatts out there, and isn’t really worthy of the Park Hyatt flag, so I came in with fairly low expectations.

I took an Uber to my hotel on Friday evening, which cost about 35CAD. The drive took about 40 minutes, as I was fortunately arriving shortly after prime rush hour.

This is one of the larger Park Hyatt properties, with 346 rooms. The hotel has two towers, which are connected by a long hallway and the lobby.

Park Hyatt Toronto exterior

As I pulled up to the hotel I was completely ignored by the bellmen. Not that I needed help since I just had a carry-on, but usually at luxury hotels (or any hotels, for that matter) they’ll at least greet you and point you towards reception.

Park Hyatt Toronto driveway

When facing the hotel, the lobby is located towards the left, and it’s definitely rather old world, though at least manages not to be too outdated.

While the bellmen ignored me, the front office associate checking me in was extremely friendly and efficient. I was checking in at around 7:20PM and told her I had dinner plans at 7:30PM, so she had me checked in within a minute. She informed me that I’d receive breakfast, and that I’ve also been upgraded to the hotel’s single renovated room, which they’re testing as a model for how to redo all the rooms

Park Hyatt Toronto lobby

I was also given a letter explaining the Virtuoso privileges.

Park Hyatt Toronto Virtuoso welcome letter

My room was located on the opposite side of the hotel, so I took the long hallway to the other end. I sort of loved the design of the hallway, which is timeless, in my opinion.

Park Hyatt Toronto hallway to elevators

At the end of the hallway were the three elevators to guest rooms (which are slightly less timeless, in my opinion).

Park Hyatt Toronto elevators

I took the elevator up to the eighth floor, where my room was located.

Park Hyatt Toronto hallway

I was assigned room 833, which had me turning left out of the elevator, and then it was at the end of the hallway on the right. Let me say once again that this is the one renovated room in the hotel, which they apparently completed a bit over a month ago. They’re testing it for a while to work out the kinks, and will then bring the design hotel-wide.

The room featured a wide entryway, with a connecting door on the right and the bathroom on the left. The room was quite large and it’s clear they wanted to fill all the space, though I found the presence of two benches in the entryway to a standard room to be a bit odd. I can see using one as a luggage stand, but two seems like an overkill.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated king room entrance

The room was a great size, with a king size bed, curved couch, and desk.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated king room

The king size bed was extremely comfortable, and I especially liked that the pillows were quite large (I really don’t like square pillows).

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated king room

Park Hyatt Toronto king room

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated king room

The desk featured a comfortable leather chair, lamp, and phone.

Park Hyatt Toronto king room desk

Then in the corner was a curved couch which could seat several people. There was both a side table, as well as a larger table in front of the couch. The couch was comfortable, so I really liked the design, as I haven’t seen one of these in a hotel room before.

There was a big lamp behind the couch. The only issue is that best I could tell you could only turn it on using the button which was on the floor behind the couch. There was no easy way to reach it, though.

Park Hyatt Toronto king room seating area

Across from the bed was a large flat screen TV on a chest, and next to that was the minibar.

Park Hyatt Toronto king room desk & TV

Park Hyatt Toronto king room desk & TV

There was an illy coffee machine inside the minibar, which made some great coffee — I actually liked it more than a Nespresso machine.

Park Hyatt Toronto king room minibar and illy coffee machine

Park Hyatt Toronto king room illy coffee machine

The refrigerated items in the minibar were all in a pull-out drawer, as I’ve found to be the case at many hotels.

Park Hyatt Toronto king room minibar

The room faced views of the surrounding streets and buildings, though since I was only on the eighth floor, there wasn’t much to see. At least the immediate area was pretty quiet.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room view

The bathroom featured a sink, toilet, and then a walk-in shower.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room bathroom

The toilet was located to the right of the sink, and wasn’t partitioned off in any way.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room toilet

Then there was the shower, which had fantastic water pressure and two heads, but there’s just one major issue — the shower controls are on the opposite side of the shower of where you enter. The shower controls aren’t labeled, so the only way to turn on water is by getting in the shower and getting soaked. It amazes me how many hotels screw this up — have the people who designed these showers never stayed in a hotel before?

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room shower

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room shower

All bath amenities were the Bergamote 22 line from Le Labo, which is tough to beat.

Park Hyatt Toronto renovated room Bergamote toiletries

I’ve never stayed in the old rooms, though I think the hotel did a fantastic job with their new model room, all things considered. The decor is modern and (for the most part) functional, so I assume this will be a huge improvement over their old rooms.

The first morning I had breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Annona, which serves breakfast starting at 6:30AM.

Park Hyatt Toronto restaurant entrance

Park Hyatt Toronto restaurant

The breakfast menu read as follows:

I selected the “Leisure Weekend Breakfast.” While breakfast was included, I couldn’t help but think it was an especially good value for breakfast at a luxury hotel, especially when you consider the prices are in CAD and not USD.

The breakfast came with illy coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice. Since the breakfast included waffles, I was brought a cute maple leaf-shaped bottle of maple syrup.

Park Hyatt Toronto breakfast — orange juice and maple syrup

Park Hyatt Toronto breakfast — illy coffee

The breakfast began with a yogurt parfait, which was tasty as could be.

Park Hyatt Toronto breakfast — yogurt, granola, and fruit parfait

Once the main arrived I realized I had ordered way too much food. Breakfast consisted of toast, waffles with strawberries and bananas, scrambled eggs (which I requested well done), breakfast potatoes, and a side of fruit (which I was offered since I didn’t want any of the meat which usually comes with breakfast).

Park Hyatt Toronto breakfast — scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and waffles

Breakfast was tasty, though service was slow. There seemed to be one guy serving the entire area, so when I was done it was 15 minutes before I could flag him down and sign the check.

I also ordered room service lunch one day (I know, Anthony Bourdain would be appalled), and ordered french onion soup, chickpea curry with broccoli, and coffee.

Park Hyatt Toronto room service lunch

Both dishes were excellent.

Park Hyatt Toronto room service lunch — french onion soup

Park Hyatt Toronto room service lunch — chickpea and broccoli curry

I also used the hotel’s gym once, which is on the basement level. I’m not sure if they’re renovating the gym and just have a temporary setup or what, because the gym was abysmal.

Park Hyatt Toronto gym

It had more than enough treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes, but other than that just had a set of weights and three weight machines. That would be acceptable for a secluded resort, but for a city hotel that seems rather underwhelming.

Park Hyatt Toronto gym

Park Hyatt Toronto gym

My flight on Sunday morning was at 8AM, so I left the hotel at around 6AM. Check-out was efficient, and the drive to the airport took about 25 minutes.

Park Hyatt Toronto bottom line

Is this property to the level of the Park Hyatt Maldives, Park Hyatt Sydney, etc.? Nope. But it’s a solid city hotel, and given the price point, I’d definitely return.

The renovated room was well done overall, so it’ll be great when the design is expanded to other rooms. I found the hotel’s location to be good, though I’m also not an expert on Toronto. Service at the hotel was hit or miss, and the hotel lacked the lux feeling you get from some other Park Hyatt properties.

But overall Toronto doesn’t seem like an amazing hotel market, so I’d recommend the Park Hyatt (at least the renovated room, which is all I can speak to as of now).

Do you have a favorite Toronto hotel?