Adult Getaway: King and Prince Resort St. Simons Island

It seems like it was just the other day I visited Savannah for my bachelorette weekend. It did get pretty wild the first night. And now, partying until all hours has been replaced with a desire for daytime adventure and activities. Instead of a late night party, now I seek morning yoga, craft cocktails or wine matched with impeccable cuisine, and enjoying that band that belts out my favorite 80s music, having me in bed no later than midnight. Enter the King and Prince Resort.

Mediterranean architecture at the King and Prince at St. Simons Island

The King and Prince Resort, located in St. Simons Island, GA is about a five-hour drive from Atlanta. Opened in 1935, it has a distinctive Mediterranean architecture first opened in 1935 as a seaside dance club. The main hotel building opened in 1941, named the King and Prince Hotel. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the main building is the perfect destination for an adult get-away for romance or a girls getaway weekend.

Master bedroom in the Villas at King and Prince resort

Rooms are spacious and luxurious (especially in the main hotel lodging which has been recently renovated). You can choose to stay in the main building overlooking the pool and ocean, or if traveling with family or a larger group, a villa, perfect for a longer stay, with full kitchen, living area and separate bedrooms and bathrooms.

Soaring windows at the King and Prince lounge

The sensational lobby with large windows and skylights welcomes visitors and it is easy to see why Southern Living magazine chose the resort to add to its Southern Living Hotel Collection adding the property to its list of the most wonderful hotels in the South.

Relaxation, activity or a bit of both. It’s up to you. We chose relaxation, both by the pool and the beach. Note that you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella for beach lounging. If you’re looking for activities, there’s golfing and biking. Two important benefits to note: The King and Prince does not charge for parking or for wifi (not that you need to be surfing the net when you could be surfing).

Cast Iron Tuna at ECHO at The King and Prince Resort, St. Simons Island

But what about the food? The on site restaurant is the casual, ECHO. The seafood heavy menu is creative and fresh with a modern, upscale take on food but with a casual feel. Want to grab a quick bite after soaking up the sun poolside but before heading out to the beach while still in your coverup and flip flops? No problem. Avoid the dining room and dine al fresco. While there, try Cast Iron Tuna with a wasabi and soy glaze starter.

Crab salad at ECHO restaurant – King and and Prince

The crab cakes are high on lump meat and low on filler, whether you have them as an appetizer or the as the Eggs Benedict breakfast. At lunch, the crab salad or a shrimp flat bread with a plantain sauce is perfect for you and your friend to share. At dinner, seafood still shines with lobster in a cognac cream sauce. Plus, King and Prince has a happy hour from 4-7 daily and live music on weekends.

From the King and Prince, the city center is only about a mile, or five minute drive. While parking is free, it can be a hard to find, so, yes, take an Uber (they have them!). Visitors enjoy hanging out on the pier and take in the gorgeous sunsets at St. Simons. Do this before or after dinner (depending on the season) at one of the restaurants in the city.

The Georgia Sea Grill was where we dined and thoroughly enjoyed it. I often have low expectations for resort towns, (must be the abysmal choices I’ve always found in Panama City Beach) But St. Simons’ cuisine really impressed me. The Georgia Sea Grill has unique fish like Wahoo, Redfish or Triple Tail.

Rent bikes and hop around the island on the many miles of bike trails. And walk off breakfast or lunch by climbing the 129 steps to the top of the St. Simons lighthouse, one of only five left in GA. Or take the trolley tour to the historic Christ Church churchyard, Bloody Marsh, site of a famous historic battle and Fort Frederica.

St. Simons Island is accessible by plane from the Golden Isles Jetport and from Jacksonville Airport it is a 1.5 hour drive.