The busy season is upon us, but these two resorts make it easy to get away and reconnect wit the person you love most.
So, go ahead, pack your coziest layers and escape for a weekend of brisk strolls, fireside hangs, and gourmet meals.
Barnsley Resort
Barnsley Resort opened to guests in 1999, but the love story at the heart of this captivating property dates back nearly two centuries and permeates the storybook setting guests enjoy today. In the 1840s, English shipping magnate Godfrey Barnsley purchased nearly 4,000 acres of land in the bucolic Georgia countryside. His vision: to build a grand Italianate mansion and gardens for his beloved wife, Julia. Tragically, she passed away before the home was completed and, in his grief, Godfrey abandoned the project. Years later, he dreamt his wife was talking to him in the formal gardens, which inspired him to complete his vision in all its splendor. The mansion sustained significant damage during the Civil War and later in a tornado, but the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the manor house and restored gardens continue to preside over Barnsley’s grounds, inviting visitors to connect with the destination’s storied past.
Cozy Up in a Cottage
A hallmark of Barnsley Resort are the 39 free-standing cottages arranged in tree-lined lanes that lend to the resort’s welcoming English village feel. A recent remodel by Charlotte Lucas Design, known for their bold use of color and whimsical detail, maintains the cottages’ historic character and charm, while infusing the spaces with a refreshing mix of classic plaids and stripes, dreamy florals, and layers of rich texture. Porch swings offer the perfect perch for tucking in beneath a blanket with a glass of wine in hand. And if the chill draws you inside, you can curl up in front of your own private fireplace in one of the plush bathrobes provided.
Eat and Drink
From grab-and-go to multi-course menus, Barnsley’s revamped dining program offers variety from morning to night. Woodlands Grill, overlooking the picturesque golf course, is your all-day stop for southern fare — from buttermilk biscuits and gravy in the morning to hot chicken sandwiches with a honey drizzle in the afternoon to pan-fried trout with warm potato and cucumber salad in the evening. A comprehensive wine and cocktail list round out the experience. (Not to be missed: The Barnsley old fashioned.) The recently completed Biergarten presents a casual al-fresco stop for German and European brews alongside classic biergarten fare like pretzels and bratwurst, as well as slow-smoked meats, salads, and sandwiches. And for a truly spectacular garden-to-table experience, make a reservation (weekends only) at Rice House, for an elevated menu prepared with seasonal ingredients, along with a curated wine pairing.
Days of Discovery
The outdoors beckons at Barnsley, where you can discover hidden trails on horseback, hike or bike nature trails, row across a placid lake, or simply stroll the manicured footpath to the Manor House Ruins. For sporting enthusiasts, there are The Beretta Shooting Grounds, championship greens at the Jim Fazio-designed golf course, and newly added pickleball courts. Those seeking more leisurely pursuits won’t want to miss a day at the Barnsley Spa. An exclusive Barnsley Tea- LC Body Treatment, complete with an invigorating sugar scrub, firming tea-laced mask, and creamy tea-infused body butter is sure to set the tone for a romantic weekend escape.
(Barnsley Resort, 597 Barnsley Gardens Rd NW, Adairsville, GA, 770-773-7480; barnsleyresort.com)
Windy Hill Farm and Preserve
Situated near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, near Knoxville, Tennessee, Windy Hill Farm and Preserve boasts 650 acres of idyllic Tennessee countryside with two miles of shoreline along the Tennessee River. With its expansive farmhouse accommodations, chef-driven restaurant that sources ingredients directly from the property’s own working farm and garden, plus a host of activities that range from quail hunts, kayaking, and fishing to cooking classes, bourbon tastings, and wine hikes — it’s an all-inclusive stay that invites couples to truly relax, recharge, and reconnect away from the bustle of everyday life.
Sleep Beneath the Trees
100-year-old oak trees provide a canopy for nine wood-sided cabins anchored around a water tower. What appears rustic on the outside, exudes quiet luxury past the doors, with cool, neutral furnishings, plush king beds wrapped in eco-friendly bedding, and large walk-in showers. Dramatic floor to ceiling windows place the rambling pasture in plain sight, or you can step outside and take in the natural surroundings more directly, from your private deck. The nearby lodge offers eight additional rooms, and the hilltop Farmhouse, built by Brewington’s grandfather, caters to larger groups with five bedrooms, and a full kitchen.
Memorable Meals
Food is an integral part of the Windy Hill experience, and three meals are included daily with each stay. Executive Chef Ben Warwick, an East Tennessee native, highlights his region’s unique food culture with a hyper- local, seasonal, farm-to-table menu at the resort’s flagship restaurant, Wilder. Mornings start with meals designed to nourish a day of activity. There’s breakfast bread pudding with fresh fruit and crème fraiche on the sweet side, or country fried rice with pork belly, kimchi, benne, and a farm- fresh egg if you lean savory. For lunch there’s a selection of inspired salads and sandwiches served with cornmeal fried okra, homemade sweet potato chips, Southern slaw, or crispy cauliflower on the side. Dinner is an elevated affair that draws inspiration from the gardens and celebrates Appalachian heritage. Expect lots of fresh vegetables, and wild game like quail and venison, in addition to a variety of other land and sea mains. For a more relaxed evening experience, there’s an a la carte bistro with southern classics reimagined with fresh, seasonal ingredients from the expansive garden.
Lay of the Land
Leisure is the name of the game during the winter season at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve. Orchard walks, bike rides, and nature hikes connect guests to each other and to the land. There are plenty of one-hour activities that can be added together to fill a day — beekeeping and honey tasting, forest bathing, and custom wood burning classes, to name a few. For the foodies, there are cooking demonstrations with Chef Ben Warwick, as well as bourbon tastings, and a wine hike that takes guests on a mile-long route, as they sample five different wines and learn about the surrounding land. And it’s hard to imagine a better way to ease into a weekend of rest and relaxation than with an in-room massage, surrounded by the beauty of the farm right beyond the glass.
(Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, Breck Ellison Rd., Loudon, TN, 865-657-1700; windyhillfarmtn.com)