For nearly eight decades, Sea Island, GA, has been a beloved vacation destination for an unpretentious, yet affluent, populace seeking family-friendly relaxations and inspired rejuvenation.

It is also home to The Cloister, a posh, historic hotel that blends Mediterranean and Spanish styles with Southern charm, and is the heart of the pristine beach enclave. The timeless 157-room hotel was recently rebuilt, and at the centrepiece of this restoration and renovation is The Spa at Sea Island, a 65,000 square-foot, 23 treatment room haven that opened in November.

The spa building reflects the distinctive appearance of the original Cloister that was designed by famed architect Addison Mizner. It is composed of an assortment of outdoor courtyards and indoor sanctuaries and is filled with imported woods, intricate mosaics, and hand-woven fabric.

“There is a tradition of stewardship and sense of place here that defines what it means to be a guest in a spa that is fourth-generation family-owned and run,” says Jim Root, general manager. “The Spa at Sea Island is an expectation, not an amenity, for our guests. We have made a commitment as a destination, and that it is a responsibility that we don’t take lightly.”