Georgia Magazine - January 2011 - (Page 28)

Forrest Hills Mountain Resort Nothing short of super By Kathy witt • Photos courtesy of forrest hills mountain resort & conference center L ooking for the perfect do-nothing or try-everything weekend spent in a not-so-little corner of paradise? Head to the North Georgia mountains and Forrest Hills Mountain Resort, a 140-acre, family-owned enclave in Dawson County whose name means “for rest.” Surrounded by the layered peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sitting at the first steps of the Appalachian Trail, this full-service resort— which is home to an array of cabins, bi-level suites, hotel rooms and Victorian cottages—truly lives up to the promise of its appellation. “Forrest Hills is a feeling,” says co- owner Michele Kraft-DeBlois. “It’s a world that’s been developed by our hopes and dreams and the hopes and dreams of our guests over the past 30-plus years.” Dahlonega • • The “rustic-style” cabins are a bit of a misnomer. These warm hideaways sport an updated décor and first-class amenities. R and R … and R Michele and her brother, coowner David Kraft, have set the stage for rest, relaxation and romance with hot tubs, fireplaces, a spa, mountain vistas and four dining rooms, including the couples-only “Secret Garden.” They have also created a premiere wedding destination with an outdoor ceremony pavilion, the “Chapel in the Woods,” and a fairytale backdrop with its masses of terraced bougainvillea, stands of pine and hardwood trees, and pathways winding along a soft carpet of grass. Arriving by a horse-drawn carriage completes the magical setting. Visitors enjoy treatments like hot stone massages and paraffin facials at the spa, guided horseback rides into the woods for wildlife spotting, and horse-drawn carriage tours at forest’s edge. There is swimming and sunning at the pool, sand volleyball and horseshoes, a gym with weight and cardio machines, and two miles of gentle walking trails. Al and Donna Rowe, of Marietta, have been coming to Forrest Hills each year since 1984. “We keep coming back because of the solitude, the great food, fabulous cabins and warm and friendly staff,” says Al. “We feel like family, and coming to these beautiful mountains feels almost like coming home.” Marty and Pam Smith, of Dudley, discovered Forrest Hills on their fifth wedding anniversary in 1985 and have returned yearly. “Our first impression was the romantic coziness of our cabin in the woods,” says Marty, president/CEO of Oconee Electric (Continued on page 30) GEORGIA MAGAZINE The Victorian cottages at Forrest Hills spill over with amenities and charm. One even has a naturalized fish pond, which allows nonnative species to live alongside native species. 28 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2011

Georgia Magazine - January 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Special Energy Report
A Country Boy Rolls
A Weekend in the Country
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia@home
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Entry Form
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - January 2011