Fly into the Jekyll Island Club Resort in GA for the New Year

GA – The Jekyll Island Club Resort is located on Jekyll Island in Georgia, and it’s been a travel destination for the last 3,500 years. In fact, the American Indians often traveled to Jekyll Island to hunt and fish. It’s reported that when French explorers landed at the island in 1562, they estimated the coastal population of Georgia to be in the tens of thousands. However, the colony of Georgia wouldn’t be founded for another 171 years. The 1733 colony was financially backed by Sir Joseph Jekyll, which is how the island got its name. Today, Jekyll Island is home to several hotels, including the historic mansions that make up the Jekyll Island Club Resort, an airport, several parks, tennis courts, and plenty of shopping and dining. Let’s take a look at some of the history and amazing attractions at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.

Flying into the Jekyll Island Airport

Pilots and airplane owners may wish to fly into the island in their own aircraft. The Jekyll Island Airport has one runway and no control tower. The CTAF is 123.05, and the airport is open to the public. It’s owned and operated by the Jekyll Island Authority. Runway 18/36 is 3,715 feet long and 75 feet wide. The runway and its markings are considered to be in good condition. There is 100LL available, and pilots can tie their airplanes down on the tarmac.

The History of the Jekyll Island Club Resort

Jekyll Island’s history is quite storied, spanning thousands of years. However, its modern history began in 1735, when Major William Horton was given the island. At that time, he created a bountiful plantation that grew enough food for the people on Jekyll Island and the neighboring island of St. Simon’s.

After some setbacks, William Horton started brewing beer on the island in 1747. The endeavor became the island’s first brewery. From 1792 until 1862, the island was considered to be in its plantation era, and around 1879, the island entered its club era.

This was when Newton Finney and John Eugene DuBignon sought to turn the island into an exclusive hunting club. In order to fulfill that dream, the Jekyll Island Club was formed, and in 1886, the club purchased the island. The individuals in the club represented nearly 17 percent of the world’s wealth at the time. The island and the club quickly became one of the most exclusive vacation retreats in the world.

The island was controlled by the Jekyll Island Club until 1947 when the state of Georgia purchased it for $675,000. In today’s dollars, that would be the equivalent of purchasing the island for about 9.5 million. In 1948, the island was reopened as a state park, and by 1950, the state had created the Jekyll Island Authority with the goal of turning it into a resort.

Today, the island is home to many hotels, shopping and dining establishments, and outdoor activities. The Jekyll Island Club Resort boasts the Jekyll Island Club and the Jekyll Ocean Club at the Island Cottages.

Jekyll Island Club Resort Amenities

The Jekyll Island Club Resort offers plenty of activities, including biking, swimming, croquet, picnics, shopping, and history tours.

20 Miles of Biking Trails

The island offers bike rentals via Jekyll Wheels. They rent beach cruisers, adult trikes, tandem, mountain, and even kids’ bikes. Bike renters can enjoy the 20 miles of paved bike trails.

A Day at the Beach

Jekyll Island Club Resort boasts 10 miles of beaches, renowned for their unspoiled beauty and lack of crowds. In addition to the amazing beaches, guests can enjoy lounging poolside at the Island Club Pool and the Ocean Club Pool.

A Day on the Croquet Lawn

The Jekyll Island Club Resort has a dedicated croquet lawn, which harkens back to its days as an exclusive club for the world’s richest families. The croquet lawn is available as part of the resort’s included amenities. All guests have to do is arrange a time. The resort furnishes all the equipment.

An Afternoon Picnic

When was the last time you enjoyed a picnic? At the Jekyll Island Club Resort, picnics are available daily from 7 AM until 9 PM. Some of the best spots include the riverfront lawn, at the beach pavilion, or on one of the many beaches, including St. Andrews Beach and Driftwood Beach.

Retail and Shopping Experiences

Jekyll Island offers plenty of places to shop. Local favorites include The Shoppe and the Pier Road Shops. The Shoppe boasts fantastic collections of gifts, home decor, clothing, beach gear, and island souvenirs.

The Pier Road Shops are known for their handcrafted items and unique gifts, including hand-blown glass, jams, pottery, and jewelry.

If you’re looking for variety, you might check out the Beach Village Shops. This is the island’s largest retail center. Guests will find ATMs, boutique shops, frozen yogurt, and plenty of places to eat.

Tours of the History of the Island

If the island’s history interests you, you may want to book one or more of the historical tours. History tours include the Hotel History Tour, where visitors learn about the history of the islands and hotels. Guests can enjoy a tram tour, which covers the 260-acre historic district, or they can take a horse-drawn carriage tour.

Jekyll Island Club Dining

There are plenty of places to dine on Jekyll Island. The Wharf offers riverfront dining via an open-air dining room where patrons can listen to live music. The restaurant boasts delectable Southern favorites, including oysters on the half-shell, fried green tomatoes, a fried oyster basket, shrimp and grits, fish and chicken sandwiches, and burgers.

Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar offers an oceanfront dining experience. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guest favorites include cheddar biscuits, blue crab benedict, chicken and waffles, warm olives, lettuce wraps, burgers, shrimp, mussels, salads, bass and diver scallops.

If you’d like to dine in a historic ambiance, the Grand Dining Room might be your perfect venue. The atmosphere is casual dress, and guests can eat the breakfast buffet in the morning. On Sunday, they have the brunch buffet, which serves breakfast items such as soups, salads, seafood, and grilled chicken.

Jekyll Island Club Accommodations

The Jekyll Island Club offers rooms and suites. Their traditional clubhouse guest rooms provide vacationers with between 200 and 467 square feet. Each room contains either one King bed or two Queens, as well as a safe, mini-fridge and a coffee maker.

The suites and parlors are between 200 and 467 square feet and include either one King bed or two Queens. There is a separate living area. These rooms also include a security safe, coffee maker, and mini-fridge.

If you’re ready for an island vacation, Jekyll Island in Georgia may just be the island for you. It has a storied history that goes back all the way to 1562, and in the late 1800s, it became an exclusive resort for the world’s richest. During that time, the modern golf ball was created, and the first transatlantic phone call was made. Today, the island is still a fantastic vacation destination for couples and families.