This Seaside Resort In Georgia Is Even More Wonderful During Christmastime

The holidays are a time to indulge and treat yourself in a way you don't during the rest of the year. If you're looking for true luxury and holiday cheer, The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, is the place to be. Sea Island, one of the Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia – almost exactly between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida — is around 5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide at its widest, and every inch oozes luxury. The Cloister at Sea Island, a Forbes five star-rated resort, is one of only two resorts on the island, and it goes all out for the holidays. Expect thousands of lights, Christmas trees everywhere, and holiday events for the whole family. 

To get to Sea Island, you can fly into Jacksonville International Airport, which is around 70 miles away. You can also get there from Savannah International Airport, around 83 miles away. (If you're flying into Savannah, make sure to spend some time in this walkable gem of a city.) If you're flying regionally, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is 18 miles away, and St. Simons Island Airport is 4 miles away. There is private transportation available if you reserve it beforehand (as of 2025, it starts at around $235 to $240 for the two major airports) and complimentary, on-site transportation on the island, as well as bikes to rent. However, you can also get to Sea Island by causeway from St. Simons Island, which is a walkable and charming area with boutique shopping and a lovely fishing pier. Sea Island is, however, a private island, and you can only access it if you're a guest at one of the resorts or a Sea Island Club member. 

Christmas at The Cloister is a magical experience, and it starts as you cross the decorated causeway. Everything is festively adorned, including a giant Christmas tree in the lobby and a gingerbread house. The holiday festivities take place in the days leading up to Christmas through December 26. The resort is covered with over 100,000 lights and nearly 100 Christmas trees. You can book events like a Santa Surprise at Breakfast, a Menorah Lighting, holiday wine tasting, gingerbread house decorating, and more. There is even a Reindog Parade where guests and members dress their pups up for the event. 

Book yourself a Pre-Dinner Cocktail Cruise which has light hors d'oeuvres, complimentary beer and wine, and a cash bar for $175 per person (with a service charge of 24%), as of this writing. If you have your little ones with you, bring them to The Cloister Colonial Lounge to get their photos taken with Santa Claus. Kids can send their holiday wish lists to him in the resort's mailbox, and you can purchase the photos after. You can also book the Christmas Holiday Reception at the lounge and experience live music, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, which is included in your room fee.

The festive options really are endless, with a children's Christmas party, an air rifle bull's-eye class, a Christmas Eve service in The Cloister Chapel, and a yule log ceremony. If you're staying over the actual holiday, there is also a Christmas Day brunch at The Lodge (additional fees apply). These events do sell out, so book early.

The Cloister at Sea Island is a luxury splurge, of course. At the time of this writing, a room will set you back upwards of $1,000 per night through the holiday season. For maximum comfort, the Spanish Mediterranean-style Cloister Suite has a master bedroom, a living room with a pull-out sleeper sofa, a balcony or patio (in most), a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and a mini fridge. There are a number of accommodation options, and with some, you have to call directly to book them. However, in a place like Sea Island (with only one other resort, The Lodge at Sea Island), everything looks beautiful. It's to be expected at the only resort that has, according to Explore Georgia, received the Forbes five-star-rating 15 years in a row. You can stay in the main building and wings, the Sea Island Beach Club Suites, or The Cloister Ocean Residences, so there is a lot of choice.

While you're on the island, try out some kayaking or sailboat tours; play at the Tennis Center; golf at the Sea Island Golf Club; relax at the Sea Island Beach Club; or take fishing, sailing, and tennis lessons. There are also a number of spots to dine at, like Southern Tide for local seafood or The Market at Sea Island, which is open to the public. There are beautiful gardens to wander, three pools, and beach access. No matter what time of year you visit, this resort is the definition of treating yourself. Finally, if you're visiting The Cloister and you're looking for something relatively close to do that is completely different from the resort's experiences, take a 1.5-hour drive to do some hiking at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the largest blackwater swamp in North America.