Georgia

You don't think inside the box. Why sleep in one? The South is full of unexpected accommodations, from a nineteenth-century castle to a Hobbit hut to the tree house of your dreams. Let us introduce you to sixteen offerings that are anything but ordinary.

In 1968, the tiny mountain town of Helen was dying. Over lunch, three local businessmen decided the town needed to add some street appeal if it hoped to capture the interests of passersby. By the time the leaves began to turn in 1969, Alpine Helen was born.

The oldest and largest family-owned hunting lodge in the Southeast, Caryonah shines in its attention to detail, from the Italian-tiled bathrooms to the assemblage of Indian artifacts on display.

Known for its music, football, and vibrant culture, Athens in northeast Georgia is both sophisticated and sweet. The Victorian-era downtown is filled with galleries and boutiques, while its concert venues lure international acts and its restaurants earn raves from Food & Wine.

Venture beyond the fairways, and you’ll discover a lively riverwalk, terrific dining, and a charming Broad Street that lives up to its name (it’s the second-widest such street in America).

It’s the little things that matter most on a weekend escape to the largest of Georgia’s enchanting Golden Isles.

I have a fairy godmother. She lives midway between Chattanooga and Atlanta, at a place called Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia. She knows I love peanut butter cups, salted caramels, and Champagne. And when I visited the resort on my birthday this year, she left them in my suite, along with a handwritten note to enjoy my special day.

I feel indulgent. Ice-cream-for-breakfast indulgent. Make that ice-cream-and-Champagne-for-breakfast indulgent.