Ocean Lodge

From first sight, this Italian-villa-style B&B near the Atlantic Ocean exudes relaxed luxury. The columned and tiled exterior, with a terra-cotta tile roof, gives the distinct impression of having been lifted straight out of Europe and dropped into Georgia. A bubbling fountain greets guests in the interior courtyard, and the opulent Florentine lobby is filled with oil paintings, tapestries, ornate armchairs, travertine stone floors, and hand-painted and relief ceilings. The vibe is warm and welcoming, with just the right amount of Southern hospitality. Since there are only 15 rooms, each guest is treated with personal attention and it's obvious that the staff aims to please. During the day, many guests venture out to sightsee, but, at night, the rooftop bar and restaurant is a popular spot for both guests and locals. Between the pool, lounge areas, and restaurant, there are over 14,000 square feet of common space.

Situated on the southeastern tip of Saint Simons Island, in Georgia's Golden Isles, the Ocean Lodge is located across from the beach in a residential neighborhood, surrounded by condos, homes, and other small hotels. The road in front of the hotel is generally quiet; only a couple of condo buildings separate the hotel from the ocean. Shopping and dining on the island are within walking distance, and other sights -- including the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Fort Frederica National Monument, other area beaches, and golf courses -- are within a short drive.** **

Maintaining the hotel's luxurious, European feel, the Ocean Lodge's 15 suites are richly decorated with warm-colored walls, stone floors, heavy drapes, patterned throw rugs, and classic oil paintings. The ceilings are hand-painted and also have fans. Heavy wooden furniture and antique accents are scattered throughout. The overall effect is that of an old-world villa, though current-day amenities like wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and free in-room Wi-Fi help ensure rooms are comfortable for modern guests. There are separate living rooms -- most also have pull-out sofas -- as well as a kitchens (with microwaves, full-sized refrigerators, dishwashers, and even Keurig coffeemakers, but not ovens). The bedrooms are similarly luxurious, with wrought-iron headboards and rich fabrics; robes and slippers are provided. Most suites also have two bathrooms: a smaller one with a shower and another full bathroom with a large whirlpool bathtub. All rooms have private, covered balconies with patio furniture. None of the rooms have full ocean views (there are other houses blocking sight lines), but the higher you are, the better the ocean views (and, correspondingly, the higher the room rate).

The Rooftop at Ocean Lodge restaurant -- open evenings during the week and starting at around 11 a.m. on weekends -- is a favorite both with guests and locals. Situated on the fifth-floor rooftop, the restaurant has the best ocean views in the hotel. The food is good, the menu a blend of Southern classics, seafood specials, and French coastal cuisine; there is a full bar as well. The room rate includes a free, a la carte breakfast, served in the restaurant's breakfast area. While there is free parking, be aware that the lot isn't huge and is also used for restaurant patrons, so there is a chance you could be searching for a spot during peak times and seasons. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed as guests, although pets under 20 pounds are. The fitness center has just a few pieces of cardio equipment and a few yoga mats, and the pool -- located on a terrace outside the fitness area -- is lovely but small, and more of a plunge pool. Although the hotel doesn't gear itself toward business travelers, there is a meeting space that can be rented; the most popular events here are weddings, which frequently take place in the back courtyard, with receptions at the Rooftop.