In The Land of Gatsby

 

 

 

This past weekend, I was blessed to be on Jekyll Island for a client’s conference. It wasn’t until that I had set on my way, grumpy and irritated about being on the road yet again that week, that I realized we would be staying at the Jekyll Island Club: famous former playground of America’s Morgans, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and other prince and princesses of the Gilded Age.

 

 

 

 

I had been here before, but no more than within viewing distance of the hotel. The last time was in the 4th grade, when Stratford Academy would bring all of us here for a 4H trip. While here we would tour the Historic District of the island, and my impressionable mind would soak up all of the history that laid within. I would look over at the beautiful hotel and think, maybe someday I could come back for a visit.

 

Of course, my family has a condo (albeit a small one) on St. Simons- so staying in the famous hotel would never be a practical goal. But now I get to pay my own visit here, even if I am working while doing so.

 

Upon entering the island, one drives past what must be an old entrance- towers of what appear to be a stucco material on either side of the street. Driving through, and bearing a left to head towards the historic district, one will see a lane of white shells meandering past the river between Jekyll Island and the mainland. Homes bearing the names of Goodyear, Mistletoe, duBignion and more line the street leading up to the Jekyll Island Club. I am still amazed at how well some of these historic homes are preserved, when you drive in you see the famous names that are still associated with them- proudly and prominently on display outside.

 

 

 

Inside the club, I get the feeling of being a little bit like I am on the famed Titanic- with it’s beautiful wooden staircase that ascends to the my floor. I prefer to walk up and down this staircase, rather than going to easy route of the elevator.

 

 

 

 

 

When you step outside, you may be greeted by a couple playing croquet- and on this particular weekend there was an antique car show- which lends itself all the more to the feeling of stepping back to the land of Gatsby. I feel as though I should have my hair in a bob, and a linen shift dress with long draping pearls to match. Pictures of the homes on Jekyll line the hallway which leads to that staircase, and then brings you to the parlor- where many a men must have enjoyed a cigar- and onward to the Grand Dining Room….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brunch is just as lovely, with champagne and coffee by the window- looking out on the lawn. I choose to sit on this glassed in patio- which looks as if at one time it might have been open to the salt air- with a fireplace and all. Desserts abound among the large legs of crab and chefs in their white coats. The servers are even clad in crisp white aprons which only lends the scene to feeling even more of the era.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As labelled on the menu, today’s “Exotic du Jour” is the Chicken and Wild Rice Pot Pie- which was lovely and filling even with just a small amount. And the vegetable du jour is a summer squash casserole with yellow squash, zucchini, and breaded filling. The carving du jour is a fantastic Honey Glazed Ham and a Honey Mustard which is more honey than mustard- something you don’t see every day and I frankly think should be prepared as much more often.

 

If an extensive brunch isn’t to your liking, or you don’t want to have dinner at a place which requires the men wear a coat to dinner (which by the way- more men should dress properly for dinner as should the ladies) then you can also go to the Cafe Solterra- complete with Starbucks coffee. However I must say, I recommend coming back for dinner on one of their dancing evenings- featuring a 4 piece band and select menu. I would opt for the Petit Filet- opened with their Vichyssoise (cold potato and leek soup) and a glass of their Malbec.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from the food, one can also take a guided tour of the homes either by trolley or horse-drawn carriage. (I actually choose to go on foot- it also doubled as my workout of the day.) There are two homes, Crane and Cherokee, that are also available for guests to stay in along with the San Souchi apartments that were originally built for club members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While visiting this land of the gilded age, you might want to take the time to sit on the patio and take advantage of the many available rocking chairs to take in the evening air and share in conversation with a new friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it is time to go home, the Spanish Moss draped Live Oaks seem to bid a bittersweet goodbye- as if you are not just leaving the island, but also leaving a time that so many had abandoned long ago. A time when, if you had the good fortune to afford it, men and ladies would dress properly for dinner, play croquet on the lawn, and rest their wearily bodies along the porch of one of the Gilded Era’s finest homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love to all y’all,

 

Molly