A Reset at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
I've gotten better at recognizing when I need a reset.
Not necessarily a big one. Sometimes it's simply a change of scenery. More time outside. More conversations around a table with your best friends. More sunsets. More laughter. A little less rushing from one thing to the next.
That's exactly what my kids and I found at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.
Just an hour east of Atlanta, this lakeside retreat feels worlds away from the pace of everyday life. It isn't about packing every minute with activities… although there's certainly no shortage of them.
It's about giving yourself permission to slow down while surrounded by beautiful scenery, thoughtful hospitality, and the people who matter most.
My mornings started with a cappuccino and a slow breakfast before heading to the water. Wake surfing as the lake came alive. Paddleboarding in the quiet. Long walks along the trails. Golf for those who wanted it. The kids bounced between lake swims, lawn games, and exploring every corner of the property while the adults enjoyed the rare gift of simply being present.
One of my favorite things about the resort is how naturally every experience connects to its surroundings. Lunch at Gaby's on the Lake turned into lingering conversations and a toast with friends. Evenings became an opportunity to explore the resort's collection of restaurants, where Southern-inspired menus celebrate local ingredients.
Every evening ended the same way: around the campfire by the lake. Sticky fingers from s'mores. Full hearts. Nights complete with dinner and dessert—although here, no one seems to mind if dessert comes first. And tucked behind an unassuming entrance? Perhaps my favorite nook on the property (and something I wish my club back home had) a hidden speakeasy.
One experience that's high on my list for next time is the Photography Concierge. Instead of one family member always standing behind the camera, everyone gets to be part of the memory. It's the holiday card you've been meaning to take, the family photo you actually love, and a keepsake you'll treasure for years to come… all made incredibly easy.
Life doesn't stop when we step away. There are still emails to answer, work waiting to be done, kids to get to practice, and responsibilities waiting back home. But making space to slow down, get outside, try something new, laugh a little more, and truly take in where you are isn't time away from your life.
It's part of living it.
Sometimes a change of scenery doesn't change what's waiting for you.
It simply changes the way you return to it.
And that's exactly what Lake Oconee did for me.
