Lodging

Intimate dining at the couples-only Secret Garden.

Atlanta-area readers: have you booked your Valentine’s Day Weekend getaway yet? Note that this day-of-romance falls on a Saturday in 2009, so it’s a great excuse to pack up the car and head north into the hills surrounding Dahlonega, Georgia, for a stay at the ultra-romantic Forrest Hills Mountain Resort.

While this family-owned and -operated resort welcomes children and family reunions with multi-bedroom cabins and even an expansive, on-site 12-bedroom lodge, I think of this special place as a spot for couples. After all, there are private cabins built just for two in both luxury and budget price categories, as well as a special, adults-only “Secret Garden” dining room that is designed for romance, with plenty of two-top tables and twinkling lights overhead.

The recently renovated luxury cabins are huge! They feature a sitting area with fireplace, king-size bed with custom-made mattress, and sunken hot tubs. Get close to nature, sitting outside the on the cabin’s porch swing and enjoy the convenience of the kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker.

Each luxury cabin has a sunken hot tub in cedar-lined room.

On-site activities include horseback riding, wagon rides with cookout, hiking trails, fitness center and the fabulous, full-service spa.

Forrest Hills is a wildly popular wedding site in Georgia, with a gazebo and outdoor garden that seats up to 200 guests. Smaller ceremonies can take place at the pretty secret garden gazebo.

Check the Forrest Hills website for details on wedding, honeymoon and romance packages.

And for another romantic spot to stay in the Dahlonega area, consider the Lily Creek Lodge bed and breakfast.

Photos by Kara Williams, taken May 2007.