A panoramic view of Lake Oconee from the launching dock of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

BEAT OF THE MUSIC

Keeping your “heart and soul in the boondocks” might be the lyrics of Reynolds Lake Oconee’s most recent musical guests, but its amenities and facilities bring the magic of being in the middle of nowhere to a brand-new luxury standard.

A privately owned boat Little Big Town used to putt around the lake during their visit. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

It is really a special thing to witness a community thriving. I was lucky enough to be privy to this little piece of paradise while visiting Reynolds Lake Oconee during CMT Summer Fest—a time when all members of the community get the chance to eat, drink and celebrate living the good life on the lake. It was so special to enter this world where everyone knew everyone, yet they came from all walks of life and from all over the world. Members from 48 states including Florida, California and Texas mingling with native born-and-bred Georgians, all seeking the same kind of lifestyle, one of celebration, relaxation and connection. During this particular visit, Reynolds Lake Oconee had organized for famous country music group Little Big Town to perform a concert at Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, to be filmed for their upcoming August 12th release of CMT Summer Camp with Little Big Town show—the beginning of much more special musical programming to come in the future for Reynolds. Upcoming concert Rhythm and Brews on October 22 of this year is open to the public, with ticket sales soon to be announced. Last year, Rhythm and Brews hosted Gin Blossoms and Sister Hazel for 1300 fans.

Little Big Town performed for the Reynolds Lake Oconee community. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

Not only is the community so special here, but the recent addition of Richland Pointe has been a huge undertaking and is the community’s newest 500-acre lakefront micro-community. Richland Pointe Village is a mix of cottages, walk-ups and large lake homes that sit in an otherwise uninhabited hamlet on Lake Oconee, inspired heavily by America’s waterside towns and villages that we all know and love. Designed by Atlanta-based urbanist, master planner and designer Lew Oliver, each home is interconnected by waterfront, wooded parks and paths that create a sense of community among nature.

The view from the pool area at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

During my time here, we dined at the Richland Pointe restaurant, which is the eleventh culinary experience on the property as a whole. Executive chef Zouhair Bellout joined us, curating a gastronomic trip around the world, having perfected everything from sushi to Indian butter chicken. “I want my guests to be able to travel, while still experiencing the comforts of home,” says Bellout. After dinner, we got to tour Richland Pointe’s state-of-the-art fitness facility with Technogym’s self-guided Biocircuit program, two movement studios, an on-site health coach and a variety of indoor-outdoor movement classes. Of course no luxury community is complete without a spa—Richland Pointe included. Three treatment rooms for massages and esthetics are necessary for a healthy body and spirit.

A fire pit with ample seating on the lake. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

At the end of the evening, we all watched as one of Lake Oconee’s iconic sunsets slipped below the water, leaving a lasting glow of pinks, oranges and purples to cascade across the sky. This embodies, in many ways, the spirit of Reynolds Lake Oconee, a colorful experience that leaves a lasting impression on you long after you leave. 1341 Linger Longer Road, Greensboro, Ga., reynoldslakeoconee.com

Members of the band Little Big Town, one of whom is a Georgia native. PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE