At the turn of the 19th century, America's great tycoons needed a far more laidback alternative to their opulent mansions in Newport, especially during the cooler months of winter. The Rockefellers, Pulitzers, and Astors decided to head down to Georgia's barrier islands. Lots became manicured, roads were paved, and large resorts created shadows on the shores. Remarkably, however, there remains one Georgian isle that has yet to sell out to developers. The Berolzheimer family purchased Little

At the turn of the 19th century, America's great tycoons needed a far more laidback alternative to their opulent mansions in Newport, especially during the cooler months of winter. The Rockefellers, Pulitzers, and Astors decided to head down to Georgia's barrier islands. Lots became manicured, roads were paved, and large resorts created shadows on the shores. Remarkably, however, there remains one Georgian isle that has yet to sell out to developers. The Berolzheimer family purchased Little St. Simons Island in 1908 from the Eagle Pencil Factory and it still remains in their hands.

Grab one of 15 rooms in five cottages, once used as hunting lodges, and the whole island is yours. Stroll seven miles of beaches looking for shells and never walk into a lifeguard stand or a woman wanting to braid your hair. Canoe on one of the inland waterways and you'll spot alligators, European fallow deer that were brought to the island to hunt, and some of the 280 types of birds like a pair of nesting bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, ducks, and painted buntings. Biking, fishing, and horseback riding are also available.

Three full-time naturalists are on hand to happily identify that songbird or native plant and teach you how to fish on the fly. This being the South, cocktail hour in the main lodge is mandatory before dinner. Grab a Scotch and head over to your table, where chefs serve gourmet Southern comfort food like a chipotle and brown sugar grilled pork, barbecue ribs, oyster roast, or good ol' fashioned Lowcountry boil on the beach. The next morning, wake up to eggs, grits, country ham, and biscuits.

Adhering to sustainable practices, Little St. Simons has its own organic garden for veggies and asks that guests drink fresh well water instead of handing out plastic bottles. The resort recycles everything possible and composts waste. If you crave an escape from civilization and are in dire need of peace and quiet, it's hard to top this spot on the Atlantic seaboard. You might like it so much that you'll book the entire island with 14 of your favorite couples the next time around.