Real estate entrepreneur Art Lucas’ roots in McIntosh County and on the Georgia coast run deep. He went to school in Darien until he was in sixth grade, which required a roughly two-hour bus ride from Harris Neck, allowing him to absorb the charm of the coastal community and encase it firmly in his memory. Those memories never left him. So, when he returned to the Golden Isles in 2009 after “retiring” from a 40-year executive recruiting career in Atlanta, Lucas brought with him a desire to do something special for the community that shaped his love for Coastal Georgia. First, he dove into the real estate world on St. Simons Island for several years. Then, when the time was right, Lucas jumped at the opportunity to rethink the waterfront in Darien, Georgia’s second-oldest town.
He worked with the Mcintosh County Industrial Development Authority on a plan that included a new condominium development, a restaurant, and the centerpiece of it all, Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort, a 53-room resort with a full slate of amenities and luxurious accommodations to please even the most discerning of tastes. Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort opened its doors officially in November to happy guests looking for luxury, adventure, and everything the Georgia coast and the historic Darien waterfront have to offer.
THE OAKS CLUB RESTAURANT AND CEDAR BAR
The resort offers a waterfront experience unmatched in Coastal Georgia. Leading the list of amenities is dining and drinks at The Oaks Club Restaurant and Cedar Bar. The Oaks Club’s menu is fresh, local, and handcrafted by chefs who capture the essence of the low country with an international flair. Shrimp and grits and gumbo are classic coastal options offered alongside savory entrees of braised beef short rib and perfectly done steaks. Rounding out the menu are appetizers, salads, soups, and sandwiches prepared with the same attention to detail and care as signature entrees that are already making the Oaks Club a top Coastal Georgia dining destination.
Craft cocktails, a fine wine selection, and great craft beer options accompany The Oaks Club at The Cedar Bar. The beautiful cedar wood in the bar was harvested from the Lucas farm in the Harris Neck area of McIntosh County and milled to exact specifications for the best bar experience. All of it overlooks dazzling views of the Darien River and the unspoiled marshes that add the special character to Georgia’s coast not found anywhere else. The Oaks Club and Cedar Bar is a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience that locals are fortunate to have access to whenever they choose.
RIVERSIDE POOL
No luxury resort is complete without a distinctive and unforgettable pool experience. Oaks on the River delivers a heated, riverside pool that provides year-round opportunities for lounging, swimming, and fun for any romantic getaway. Guests can sip on a cocktail from the poolside Mimosa Bar and gaze across the golden marshes as the sun sets
THE SPA
Oaks on the River also will help to renew the soul with an indulgent, full-service spa day in a luxurious facility dedicated to your health and wellness. The spa menu at Oaks features everything from deep tissue, Swedish, sports, and couple’s massages to a full range of facials. Guests can relax in the sauna, rejuvenate, and indulge in a full day of natural treatments that are lavish and exquisite.
WEDDINGS & GROUP EVENTS
The Darien waterfront boasts one of the most scenic and awe-inspiring locations for special events in the Southeast. Weddings at Oaks on the River showcase the best in Lowcountry elegance and personalized service in a breathtaking setting. Lovebirds tie the knot beneath the sprawling canopy of the Caledonia Oak, a centuries-old live oak tree that creates an enchanting occasion on the riverside lawn with stunning vistas for perfectly memorable nuptial photos. The ballrooms inside, overlooking the pool and the Darien River, are also available. Each wedding can be tailored to the couple’s specific needs.
Catering at Oaks on the River is as distinctive as the venue itself. The culinary team specializes in fare inspired by the coastal landscape but infused with global influences. There is plenty of space for guests who can take advantage of adventurous activities to keep the fun flowing before and after the big day. Golf, nearby beaches, kayaking, fishing, and more are all just outside your door when you stay at Oaks on the River.
Those same activities and catering offerings are options for guests when they book their group meetings at Oaks on the River. Corporate retreats are elevated in the Thorpe Ballroom, which can be configured in multiple ways to accommodate groups up to 150 people.
ACTIVITIES
Oaks on the River offers activities that keep guests engaged with and immersed in the unspoiled beauty of Coastal Georgia.
Signature River Tours
Step aboard The Delta Belle, operated by Georgia Tidewater Outfitters, and see the natural world from a new perspective. Offerings on the water include sunset wine tours, local history tours, guided nature tours and even a day at the beach on Sapelo Island. River tours on The Delta Belle are the best way to experience exceptional photographic opportunities of wildlife and spectacular vistas. Go to georgiatidewateroutfitters.com to schedule a trip.
Kayak Tours
The Darien and Altamaha rivers and connecting tidal creeks and estuaries are inviting to anyone who wants to glide atop the water and see the natural splendor up close. Take it slowly and meander through the marshes to experience Coastal Georgia’s natural wonders as one only can while paddling. Kayaks are available for guided tours at Oaks on the River.
Bike Rentals
Oaks on the River’s location in downtown Darien offers guests unparalleled access to one of Georgia’s oldest and historic cities. Bike rentals let guests go at their own pace as they explore the shops, restaurants, coffee shops and historic places in quaint, inviting, and personable downtown Darien.
Charter Fishing
The Altamaha BioReserve comprises one of the foremost fisheries on the East Coast. Strict controls have created a continuing harvest for sport and commercial fishermen alike. From speckled trout to redfish, tripletail and tarpon, anglers can expect to find a wide array of catch in the Darien area’s coastal waters, all after shoving off from the docks at Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort.
Golf
Golf has been part of the fabric of Coastal Georgia since the 1890s, and no course embodies that better than Sapelo Hammock, the exclusive golf partner of Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort. Steeped in history and Spanish moss, the slow-paced fishing village of Shellman Bluff in North McIntosh County is the ideal setting to satisfy that golf craving that’s been tugging at you. The 6,887-yard, 18-hole course is complete with Champion Bermuda greens and Bermuda fairways and roughs, presenting an enjoyable and challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels.
Come enjoy the luxury experience of Oaks on the River with its exceptional amenities, understated low-country elegance and plenty of Southern hospitality. To learn more, call 833.550.OAKS (6257) or visit OaksontheRiverResort.com.
