Growing up in Atlanta, my family never had enough money to visit the many mountain resorts in North Georgia.
So instead we tended to stay in campgrounds, and particularly those in the North Georgia State Parks.
But by the time I reached my early 20s, staying at resorts in the Georgia mountains became a more affordable alternative to international travel.
In the decades since we became full-time travel writers, visiting North Georgia resorts has become one of our favorite options for weekend getaways.
From our very first visit to Barnsley Garden (now known as Barnsley Resort) in Adairsville to our more recent Christmas visit to Forest Hills Resort in Dahlonega, each of these resorts in GA has provided amazing memories.
Read on for our in-depth guide to the 10 best mountain resorts in GA to visit, including North Georgia mountain resorts, resorts on Georgia lakes, and GA resorts where you can stay in charming cabin rentals.
Mountain Resorts in GA Guide
(Arranged alphabetically by type of resort)
- Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa (Young Harris)
- Chateau Elan Winery (Braselton)
- Valhalla Resort Hotel (Helen)
- Lake Rabun Hotel (Lakemont)
- Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge (Buford)
- The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge (Young Harris)
- Barnsley Resort (Adairsville)
- Callaway Resort & Gardens (Pine Mountain)
- Forrest Hills Mountain Resort (Dahlonega)
- Paradise Hills, Winery Resort & Spa (Blairsville)
Resorts in North Georgia
1. Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
6321 US Highway 76, Young Harris GA • 706-379-9900
Located 1.2 miles from the mountain town of Young Harris and 6.8 miles from Hiawassee, the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is widely regarded as one of the best North Georgia golf resorts.
Brasstown Valley boasts an 18-hole golf course, a 7,000+ square foot spa, and an array of family-friendly activities that make this one of the popular mountain resorts in North GA.
Every room at the resort comes with a 42-inch TV, free Wifi, coffee-making supplies, and comfortable furniture.
Guests can go on horseback riding tours at the on-site stables, use the tennis courts for a fun workout, or simply kick back in a rocking chair and enjoy some of the area’s most breathtaking mountain scenery.
There’s also an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, bar, and (in our experience) one of the best restaurants in Hiawassee & Young Harris!
Note that this is a pet-friendly property, so you can even bring your furry friend along on vacation.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Hiawassee GA & Young Harris GA
2. Chateau Elan Winery
100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton GA • 678-425-0900
If you’re looking for uniquely romantic resorts in North Georgia, Chateau Elan may be the perfect fit for you.
This 3,500-acre property has gorgeous views, wonderful North Georgia wines, and great amenities for guests.
There are golf villas, a wine market, and a European-style spa that offers myriad services, including massages, beauty/nail treatments, and even personal trainers for your workouts in the fitness center.
Widely regarded among the best resorts in the North Georgia mountains, they have four restaurants on the property, offering French, American, Mediterranean, and Irish cuisines.
There’s also an outdoor swimming pool with an outdoor fireplace and garden. You can kick back and enjoy the beautiful views of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia with a glass of wine.
Guests are also welcome to explore the vineyards on quiet nature trails, or take a tour the Chateau Elan winery.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Wineries in the North Georgia Mountains
3. Valhalla Resort Hotel
688 Bahn Innsbruck, Helen GA • 706-878-2200
Located in Alpine Helen GA, the Valhalla Resort Hotel is considered one of the best mountain resorts in GA.
With its outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and spa, a stay at the Valhalla Resort will leave guests feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. Some rooms even come with balconies and mountain views.
Their restaurant serves a variety of American cuisine, so you can get a great meal without even leaving the property.
If you’re looking to explore outdoor activities in the surrounding area, check out Unicoi State Park, the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area, Yonah Mountain, and the ever-popular Anna Ruby Falls.
For an array of shopping and restaurant options, visit Downtown Helen (just 1.2 miles from the resort) and explore some of the fun things the town has to offer.
Christmas in Helen GA is particularly special, and Valhalla Resort offers a delicious holiday menu for guests to enjoy.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Helen GA
Lake Resorts in Georgia
4. Historic Lake Rabun Hotel
35 Andrea Lane, Lakemont GA • 706-782-4946
Located 9.7 miles south of Clayton GA, the Historic Lake Rabun Hotel has been offering relaxing accommodations since they opened in 1922.
If you’re looking for great lake resorts in Georgia, this one checks all the boxes.
Each of the 13 rooms at the Lake Rabun Hotel is furnished with the comfort of guests in mind. There are also five charming cottages available within one mile of the hotel at the Lake Rabun Fish Camp.
One of our favorite Georgia lake resorts, the hotel includes an excellent restaurant offering delicious American cuisine (including a variety of seafood dishes).
For those seeking some extra pampering, there’s also a spa on site offering services ranging from clinical therapy to simple relaxation.
Some outdoor activities that many people enjoy during their stay here include hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, and cycling tours.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Lake Houses in Georgia to Rent
5. Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge
7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford GA • 800-768-5253
Located on the infamous Lake Lanier, Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge is another one of the best resorts in Georgia.
Visitors can explore their golf course, try 5 different on-site restaurants, and enjoy all the fun activities Lake Lanier has to offer.
This lake resort in Georgia offers some rooms with fireplaces and balconies for guests to enjoy. The outdoor pool boasts a beautiful view of the lake, while the game room will keep kids occupied for hours.
Outdoor activities at Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge include a private golf course, tennis courts, and play time at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, a seasonal waterpark.
You can also go swimming, fishing, and/or kayaking without having to travel far for a fun day at the lake.
This is one of the best Georgia resorts for the Christmas holidays, as Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is transformed via Christmas lights into a winter wonderland!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Lakes in Georgia to Visit
6. The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge
3499 US Highway 76, Young Harris GA • 706-896-2262
If you’re looking for luxury lake resorts in the Georgia mountains, check out the Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge.
Located less than four miles from Hiawassee, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina just across the border, this property offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Every room at this resort offers coffee makers, mini fridges, and cable TVs, and some rooms come with balconies and views of the North Georgia lake’s stunning scenery.
Outdoor activities at the Ridges Resort include volleyball, tennis, badminton, an outdoor pool for swimming, and enjoying everything the lovely Lake Chatuge has to offer.
Their Oaks Lakeside Kitchen restaurant serves excellent American cuisine or breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also a bar for nightly cocktails and mingling.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Treehouse Rentals in the Georgia Mountains
Cabin Resorts in Georgia
7. Barnsley Resort
597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville GA • 770-773-7480
With a long history that stretches back 20+ years before the Civil War, Adairsville’s Barnsley Resort is one of the most beautiful cabin resorts in Georgia.
Set on 3,000 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this property has a relaxing spa, a 10-acre lake, three retail shops, and numerous other amenities.
There are 3 great restaurants and a bar on the property, so guests won’t have to leave the comfort of the resort to enjoy a nice gourmet meal.
Hiking, lake activities, fishing, and golfing are all popular things to do at Barnsley, which we consider among the top resorts in Georgia.
Another benefit of choosing this GA resort are tours of the Barnsley Resort ruins, which some local historians claim has ties to the inspiration behind Gone With the Wind character Scarlett O’Hara!
READ MORE: The 45 Best North Georgia Cabin Rentals
8. Callaway Resort & Gardens
17800 US Highway 27, Pine Mountain GA • 855-894-0420
Although it’s located closer to Columbus GA than the Blue Ridge Mountains, Callaway Resort & Gardens is a great option for those seeking cabin resorts in GA.
Located in Pine Mountain GA, this beloved middle Georgia resort features 8 restaurants, a bar, and two swimming pools (one indoor and one outdoor) for guests to enjoy.
Outdoor activities at the resort include a playground for kids, tennis, shuffleboard, and mini-golf. They also have the private Robin Lake Beach, where guests can swim or lie on the white sand and catch some rays.
Callaway Resort has a fitness center and spa available for exercise or unwinding, with spa services including massages, facials, beauty treatments, and more. And of course they have world-renowned gardens to explore.
Be sure to visit around the holidays to enjoy a 7-mile scenic drive through animated Christmas Light displays. In our experience it’s one the best places to celebrate Christmas in Georgia!
READ MORE: The 30 Best Day Trips From Atlanta GA
9. Forrest Hills Mountain Resort (Dahlonega GA)
135 Forrest Hills Road, Dahlonega GA • 800-654-6313
Located near the town of Dahlonega, Forrest Hills Mountain Resort is a pet-friendly property offering great accommodations close to Amicalola Falls State Park and some of our favorite Dahlonega wineries.
Lodging options at this North GA resort includes rooms, suites, cabin rentals, and group lodges that are perfect for large crowds.
Each of the cabin rentals come with wifi, streaming services, fireplaces, and hot tubs.
There’s a carriage company and stable on the property, which offers guided horseback riding tours. After the ride, guests can visit their spa for a massage to work on those tired muscles.
Forrest Hills Mountain Resort also boasts an outdoor pool, kids play area, volleyball courts, nature trails, restaurants, a wedding venue, and a unique general store.
Plan a winter stay for an Old Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega GA. We highly recommend taking a carriage ride around the town square (offered on select evenings) if you want to see the colorful Christmas lights!
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Dahlonega GA & Lumpkin County
10. Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa
366 Paradise Road, Blairsville GA • 706-745-7483
With so many great mountain resorts in Georgia, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which one to visit. But the Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa should definitely be on your short list for consideration.
Located in the small town of Blairsville GA, this popular resort sits along a 42-acre mountain ridge.
The property has a restaurant and bar on site, as well as a garden, terrace, tennis court, and grills for those who enjoy a good cookout.
Each room at Paradise Hills comes with flat screen TVs, Wifi, and a coffee maker, but some also have a balcony with stunning mountain views.
Their European-style spa offers several relaxing services, including massages, facials, and other body treatments.
The winery’s tasting room is open to the public daily. But you can also schedule exclusive winery tours to learn more about the award-winning wines they produce. -by Samantha Dickens & Bret Love; featured photo of Brasstown own Valley Resort by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett
