The fire pit glows as children and adults poke their marshmallow-topped sticks into the flames. This free nightly s'mores-fest is not necessarily what you'd expect after staying at other Ritz-Carlton properties. But it's part of the rustic charm at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.

Every winter, the lodge's beamed ceilings and fireplaces welcome guests to the cozy retreat just 1 1/2 hours from Gwinnett County. An overnight stay there, along with shopping and dining at Lake Oconee and the charm of Madison, can fill a weekend of relaxation.

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The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation Amenities at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, on Lake Oconee include feather beds, a bath butler and terraces off each room providing a spot to kick back with a book and savor the lake views. Dining options abound, too, with several restaurants on site, and there's plenty of shopping and strolling in nearby Madison.

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INFORMATION Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee Address: 1 Lake Oconee Trail, Greensboro Rates: $219-$2,500 (packages available) Info: 706-467-0600, www.ritzcarlton.com Lake Welcome Center 5820 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro 706-453-1630, www.lakewelcome.com Greene County Tourism 111 N. Main St., Greensboro 706-453-0380, www.visitlakeoconee.com Madison-Morgan Convention & Visitors Bureau 115 E. Jefferson St., Madison 706-342-4454, www.madisonga.org RELATED: • More North Fulton news • More Gwinnett news • More state and local news • More Travel news

Lake location

The rambling resort overlooks 35 acres of Lake Oconee's shoreline. Kudos include a five-diamond rating from AAA and being No. 5 in Conde Nast Traveler's 2007 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic, Ireland and Scotland.

One million lights set the property aglow, adding to the atmosphere during our holiday visit. Mark your calendars for later this year: An enormous gingerbread house, story times with Mrs. Claus and other events are all part of the celebration that runs from the day before Thanksgiving to the first of the year.

Cabins dot the wooded property, and the 251 guestrooms and suites are outfitted with feather beds (the online registration allows you to identify your pillow preference and ask for extras such as towels or a feather-free room), plush robes and marble-tiled bathrooms with separate tubs and showers. Additional services include a bath butler who will draw your bath, with aromas to suit your desires. Terraces off every room provide a spot to quietly relax with a book and enjoy the lake views.

Packages can make a visit more affordable &mash; our $249 bed-and-breakfast package included a king room, the incredible breakfast buffet at Georgia's, and valet parking.

For those willing to brave cold temps and get out on the lake, the resort makes kayaks and canoes available. The spa offers a variety of services and houses a fitness center and indoor heated lap pool, with expansive windows and a stone fireplace near the hot tub, that are available to guests for free.

Dining and shopping

It is possible to get all the nourishment you need without leaving the resort.

Restaurants include Georgia's, where the plump strawberries, biscuits with sausage gravy, cheese grits and made-to-order omelets on the breakfast buffet make a wonderful start to the day. Approximately $3.2 million in renovations is expected to be completed this spring to its lakeside dining venue, Gaby's by the Lake. Linger Longer Bar & Grill, located across the parking lot from the hotel, has previously provided us memorable meals, including a paella-style shellfish risotto, wood-grilled filet mignon, and sides such as buttery creamed spinach and humongous asparagus.

Outside the resort, Lake Oconee's dining scene has grown in the past few years. Eateries, from cafes to steakhouses, can be found in new shopping centers lining Ga. 44, also known as Lake Oconee Parkway. Those include Richland Creek Restaurant (1017 Park Place Blvd., 706-454-1600, www.richlandcreek

restaurant.com, closed Sunday and Monday, open 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday), whose impressive dishes include crab ravioli, baked seafood ziti, steaks and a succulent house salad with mixed greens, strawberries, cucumber, feta and candied walnuts. The restaurant's University of Georgia roots are evident, with autographed menu covers from Vince Dooley, Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and former player Herschel Walker on the wall.

Upscale shopping includes the new Parkside Commons at Lake Oconee Village (www.lakeoconeevillage.com), near the intersection of Ga. 44 and Linger Longer Road. It includes jewelry and art boutique Aurum and clothing stores Sweet Dixie Boutique (carrying lines such as Sweet Pea, Citizens of Humanity and Hanky Panky) and Ginger (carrying lines such as Lacoste and Sigrid Olsen). They're joined by footwear and accessories shop Madeleine Page, the Oconee Yarn Co., Paper Soiree, flower and gift shop Mande Villa and Magnolia Art Gallery, among others.

Side stop: Historic Madison provides another pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining area. You'll find beefy burgers at the Madison Chop House Grille (202 S. Main St. 706-342-9009), where Tootsie Roll Pops come with the check. Antique stores abound, but if antiquing isn't your thing, check out retailers including gift shop Laughing Moon (183 S. Main St., 706-342-8008) and upscale kitchen and tableware at Godfrey Cox Co. (125 S. Main St., 706-342-2229, www.godfrey-cox.com).

Getting there

To get to the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, take I-20 east to Ga. 44 (Exit 46B) toward Greensboro/Eatonton and turn right. Turn left onto Linger Longer Road, then left onto Lake Oconee Trail. The road ends at the hotel.

To get to downtown Madison, take I-20 to Exit 114 (U.S. 441/129 N.) and turn left, crossing over the interstate. The historic district will be 2.5 miles ahead.