There’s a reason The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds made my list of the best resorts in the Southeast — it’s truly that good and incredibly family-friendly. This Lake Oconee resort is a property we’ve now visited three times, and it definitely won’t be our last! We all love it, and it’s one of those rare places that truly has something for everyone, no matter their age.
The property itself is absolutely gorgeous, with stunning views of Lake Oconee throughout. It feels serene and thoughtfully designed, with so many little nooks and crannies to sit, relax, and soak it all in.
Today, I’m excited to share all about our experience at this Ritz property. Whether you’re considering this specific resort or simply browsing ideas for a family spring break trip, I’ll break down our favorite Lake Oconee activities and dining in hopes of making your planning a little easier!
Lake Oconee, Georgia
First up, I thought it would be helpful to share a bit of general information about the destination for anyone who hasn’t visited before. Lake Oconee is a beautiful reservoir located in central Georgia and is well known for its luxury resorts (hello, Ritz-Carlton Reynolds!), excellent boating and fishing, and championship golf courses. It’s truly an incredible destination with an endless variety of family-friendly activities.
Where to stay at Lake Oconee
Considering we’ve stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee three times now, I think it’s safe to say we truly love this resort. The property is absolutely stunning, and we always feel so well taken care of from the moment we arrive. There are tons of great amenities and family-friendly activities available on property, including three pools, sporting clays, off-road Jeep adventures, pontoon rentals, and more. They also offer a Ritz Kids Club, which our boys have enjoyed in the past.
Every one of our visits to this resort has been wonderful, with zero complaints. I highly recommend it for anyone traveling to Lake Oconee.
Lake Oconee Activities
As I mentioned, one of the biggest perks of staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds is the abundance of activities available both on-site and nearby. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many of them, and these were a few of our favorites from our most recent trip.
Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds
Just a few minutes from the resort is Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, a beautiful countryside destination surrounded by rolling hills and forests. They offer a wide range of shooting challenges and outdoor sporting activities, and staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds gives you access to book experiences here. There’s truly so much to do!
Over the years, we’ve tried a 4×4 Jeep excursion, skeet shooting, falconry, and an air rifle course — all of which have been such memorable experiences.
This year, we had master falconer Linda introduce us to her birds of prey. We were able to take a hawk walk, hold a falcon, and even feed Molly the owl. It was incredibly educational, but also fun and active — the perfect combination. We’ve also done falconry experiences on Sea Island and in Dromoland, and it’s always a highlight. My boys get so excited whenever they see it on an itinerary — absolutely recommend!
Ice Skating
During the holiday months, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds has an ice skating rink right on property. It has such a fun, festive vibe, complete with holiday music, twinkling lights, and disco balls. There are also plenty of spots to hang out, sip hot chocolate, and spectate. We skated here in 2021 and enjoyed it just as much in 2025!
The Ritz Reynolds Spa
While I didn’t book a spa treatment on this trip, I couldn’t resist checking out the newly updated spaces and enjoying some time in the steam room and sauna. I especially love that access to these amenities is included with your resort stay.
Fireside Globe Picnic
We loved ending our Lake Oconee days with a cozy fireside picnic. We enjoyed a spread of artisan cured meats, cheeses, crackers, and more while the boys ran around nearby when they weren’t sitting with us. There are also swings just behind the fireside picnic area — the same ones the boys loved the last time we visited, which brought back such sweet memories. This is another resort activity that I highly recommend.
Dining on Lake Oconee
One of our favorite parts of traveling is always trying new foods and restaurants. Luckily, Lake Oconee offers some wonderful dining options, and a few of our favorites are located right on the resort!
Gaby’s by the Lake
Gaby’s by the Lake is one of those destination restaurants where the view and vibe are just as wonderful as the meal — and I absolutely love it. There’s nothing better on a beautiful day. It offers outdoor dining right on the lake, next to the pool, with a delicious casual menu and refreshing drinks.
On the day we dined at Gaby’s, it was chilly but sunny. I ordered the Kale Berry Salad, and it was so good. I’m determined to recreate it at home!
One thing I really love about the boys’ current ages — and about this property in particular — is how, once they finished eating, we could let them run off to play soccer on the grounds while JB and I visited a bit longer and enjoyed the moment.
Linger Longer Steakhouse
If you’re in the mood for a classic American steakhouse, Linger Longer is a must. This restaurant is conveniently located right inside The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds. We dined here during a previous stay, and just like last time, we enjoyed another unforgettable meal on this trip.
Our steaks were so tender they could practically be cut with a spoon — perfectly cooked and full of flavor. JB and I shared the wedge salad, beet carpaccio, and broccolini, while the boys loved splitting the bacon on a wire and mashed potatoes alongside their steaks. The service here is truly the best!
After dinner, as we walked back to the main hotel, we spotted a family of deer crossing nearby, which felt so special. With the holiday lights glowing all around, the whole moment felt like pure magic.
Review of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds on Lake Oconee
If you’re considering a trip to Lake Oconee, Georgia, I can’t recommend The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds enough. All three of our visits have been absolutely spectacular, and I already can’t wait to return again in the future.
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