3 price points: The Golden Isles of Georgia

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For the AJC

BUDGET

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The historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel is home to The Courtyard at Crane dining spot.

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Cumberland Island is home to wildlife, beaches and trails and is accessible only by passenger ferry.

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The Georgian Room features five-star cuisine in a refined dining atmosphere. Reservations are required, as are jackets and collared shirts for men.

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Getting there: Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia are a one-hour drive north of Jacksonville. Frequent one-way sale rates to JAX from $69; regular rates from $94; nonstop AirTran or Delta. The drive from Atlanta is 274 miles, or under six hours.

Stay: A two-night “Play and Stay” package at the Days Inn Jekyll Island includes a six-hour Gambling Dinner Cruise on the Emerald Princess Casino Boat. From $209.95 per couple through Jan. 31; www.daysinnjekyll.com, 60 S. Beachview Drive, 912-635-9800.

Eat: Crane Cottage was inspired by an Italian Renaissance villa in 1917. Today it’s The Courtyard at Crane, a romantic al fresco dining spot inside the famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Early bird dinners $19.95; www.jekyllclub.com, 375 Riverview Drive, 912-635-2600.

Experience: A 90-minute “Passport to the Century” trolley tour of the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District, through Dec. 5, is $16 adults, $7 ages 6-12; www.jekyllisland.com, 912-635-4036.

MODERATE

Getting there: One-way rates to Brunswick from $109; 21-day advance; nonstop ASA/Delta Connection, regional jet service.

Stay: Villas by the Sea offers a two-night “Couple’s Escape” package from $419 on stays through Nov. 30. www.jekyllislandga.com, 1175 N. Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, 866-920-1263.

Eat: Iguanas isn’t fancy, but funky and fun. Diners come to find out if this casual seafood restaurant really has the “best shrimp on the island.” Dinner entrees $10.95-$22.95. Live local music on weekend; www.iguanas
 seafoodrestaurant.com, 303 Mallery Street, St. Simons Island, 912-638-9650.

Experience: Cumberland Island, a national seashore, is home to wild horses, deer, mink, gator and more. Get there on the Cumberland Queen, a passenger ferry (no cars, pets, bikes, kayaks) from historic St. Marys, Georgia (7 miles east). Foot power is the only on-island transportation. Bring food, snacks, water for the day; $17 adults; $12 ages 12 and under; www.nps.gov/cuis, reservations encouraged, 912-882-4335.

SPLURGE

Getting there: One-way, walk-up Business Class rates from $368 to Brunswick (ASA/Delta Connection); $358 to Savannah; nonstop Delta.

Stay: The Ocean Lodge is a Florentine-inspired gem steps from the Atlantic and a world away from the ordinary. “Fall & Winter Escape” rates start from $236 (2nd floor) and step up to $600 for the penthouse floor. Included are beach towels, umbrellas and beach bikes; www.oceanlodgessi.com, 935 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, 912-291-4300.

Eat: Dining at The Georgian Room is one of those once-in-a-lifetime evenings with refined five-star cuisine in a stately setting. A five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu is $125; $75 more with wine pairings. Open Tuesday-Saturday; reservations required; www.seaisland.com, 100 Cloister Drive, Sea Island, 1-800-732-4752, Ext. 4347.

Experience: The Lady Jane is a retired 49-passenger steel hull shrimping ship. The two-hour Saturday cruise is $39.95 adults; $25 children under age 6. Reservation required Nov.-March; www.credlesadventures.com, departs Brunswick, 912-265-5711.