Cedar Lodge Resort

This private peninsula is one of the most outstanding coastal properties in the State of Georgia. The 34+/- acres of live oaks cedar and cabbage palm hammocks on Honey Creek overlooking Jekyll Sound is the epitome of “Golden Isles.”  The 18+ foot deep Honey Creek and tidal estuary guarantees Ocean access at any tide. The convenience to the prosperity, social life and sheer beauty that St. Simons,  Brunswick and Sea Island offers is right here.

Cedar Lodge Resort, stands as an extraordinary full-service event venue, lodging operation and 4-star resort. This stunning property offers a unique blend of elegance, charm, modern amenities, unparalleled natural beauty, and investment potential.

In 2017, Kori and Tommy McGraw discovered this peninsula, immediately bought it and decided to create a place for people to come together and enjoy God’s great outdoors. The exceptional quality of construction and meticulous planning evident in what they’ve created here truly stand out. Called Cedar Lodge on Honey Creek, it quickly became an extremely popular corporate event and wedding venue.

"I think if I'm going to compare it, I would compare it to something along the lines of Barnsley Resort or Palmetto Bluff.” - Kori McGraw

“So the vision when we started developing this place was to set it up from the get go as to be a compound, like a family compound where families could come and have that outdoor experience away from everything, but still close enough that if you wanted to go grab dinner somewhere, you could do that. So the vision is to make this a resort, to make it a property that functions with all type of amenities, plenty of space to stay in, but also it could be utilized if you wanted to sell off those cabins and then that owner of that cabin, then short-term, rental it while they're not utilizing it, the opportunities are endless.” - Kori McGraw

Over the period of three years the McGraw’s designed and built an event and lodging operation. Featuring multiple event spaces both indoors and outdoors, Cedar Lodge Resort offers flexibility to host a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to grand soirées. The elegant event lodge, charming front garden, and scenic waterfront Honey Creek are perfect canvases for creating unforgettable moments. The event lodge (2,300 sq. ft.) is an open, elegant yet rustic entertaining space complete with loft, outdoor patio, and features a caterer’s kitchen, ADA-compliant restrooms, a beautiful bridal suite, groom’s suite, large event area with a custom brick fireplace, and expansive wrap-around porches. There is a landscaped lit terrace for ceremonies and entertaining. There is a more casual event lodge for smaller events and rehearsal dinners. It has functioning horse stalls, three offices, and could easily function as a working horse barn. The six ceremony sites include:

• The Event Lodge – 75 guests
• Waterfront on Honey Creek – 275 guests
• The Fireplace – 150 guests
• Indoor with a View – 150 guests
• The Front Garden – 225 guests
• And Under the Oaks – 75 guests

“We sell a lot of venture and resorts. Like all of them, the game changer lies in the lodging. The ability to have these island cabins and even much more of them took this property to an entirely new level.” - Jon Kohler

There are currently nine guest cottages onsite, but there is capacity for 29 total. The ability to further monetize the resort through selling a long term lease on the current and future cabins is a game changer.

“So the original plan for the property was to just create a weddings and events venue. But since we've owned the property, that idea has just continued to grow and snowball into a much bigger picture than what we ever imagined it would be. So we are currently transitioning from being categorized as a weddings and event venue to a resort. There is much more opportunity for growth and revenue to come into the property with the cabins that allows us the opportunity to do that.” - Kori McGraw

“Now that the cabins are there, that's the opportunity for this property is just huge. It's way beyond just weddings and events. We could do corporate events, you could do short-term rentals for the cabins out there.” - Kori McGraw

On an island overlooking Jekyll Sound the location of the first series of cottages says it all. In all, nine professionally decorated cottages built and designed with painstaking attention to detail.

Upon your guests’ arrival, their personal vehicles will be left at the barn, where they will then swap keys for their personal golf cart. The golf carts are to be their main form of transportation while on the property. Having golf cart paths and restricted vehicle access adds to the island ambiance and resort feel.

The cottages are interconnected with a shared great room that includes a full kitchen (microwave, oven, coffee pot, ice machine and full-size fridge), fireplace, TV, powder room. Outside of the great room in the middle of the cottages is a pool for guests to take a refreshing dip. The cottages include:

• The Great Room - Shared space that includes living room with television and fireplace, kitchen with microwave and full refrigerator, and powder room.
• The Wiregrass - Queen Bed, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge.
• The Bullard - Bunk bed with two twins, one full bed, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge.
• The Howser - Queen bed and a full daybed. Ensuite ADA shower, microwave, fridge. Corner room views.
• The McCullough - King bed with the option of two twins. Ensuite with shower and tub, microwave, fridge. Corner room views.
• The Rawl - Two full size beds, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge. Corner room views.
• The Bishop - Two full size beds, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge.
• The Knuttal - King bed, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge.
• The Schupe - King bed, ensuite with shower, microwave, fridge.
• The Creek (Honeymoon Suite) - Fireplace, private balcony, wet bar, fridge, microwave, pull-out full-size sofa bed, King bed in the bedroom, soaking tub, ensuite shower

Not only are these cabins decorated and built to an attention of detail few possess, but they also include a surplus of local accents and history throughout. From hand forged chandeliers to locally sourced cedar columns, these cabins exude luxury all the while incorporating beautiful and unique artifacts and materials.

“We wanted it to be very natural…from the outside in. We elevated (the cabins) because of the aesthetic that it gives. I have people sometimes describe it as if they’re in the middle of Jurassic Park. They feel like they’re walking into something that’s not anywhere near civilization. It’s very unique.” - Kori McGraw

In addition to the event space and cottages, the tidal marsh house (which was built in 2014), touts three bedrooms, and two baths, as well as an enclosed garage/ guest suite, which is 1-bed, 1-bath with a full kitchen and laundry room in the guest house.

To fully ensure uninterrupted events, a generator services the main lodge and provides full back up. A workshop barn provides a basis for the resort’s 3 person staff as well as a drop off point. Another barn provides more offices as well as additional event space.

All furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) of the business convey, providing a turnkey operation for new owners. Zoning allows for future construction of additional rooms, enhancing revenue potential.  Future plans also include a kayak launch near the cabins and a skeet shooting range to be added to the grounds. Conceptual plans for expanded lodging and engineering for future septic systems have already been designed.

Not to be outdone by the construction, the business aspects are exceptionally organized and operated. The existing staff are well trained at handling bookings and hosting events. The inheritance of an excellent staff is a huge draw. The owners live in Charleston and oversee the Cedar Lodge Resort as well as other local business interests’ operations remotely. The caterer that is in place is one of the most popular caterers in the region. It was quite a coup and honor to have him as a part of this expanding operation.

“The staff is here. The caterer is world-class. The opportunity is here for someone to take this to the next level.” - Jon Kohler

Additional amenities include horse paddocks and a workshop by the barn with enclosed housekeeping bay, maintenance office, and work area, as well as an open but covered parking area. There are several parking areas on the property and acres of nature landscape to explore.

This private “end of the road” property is fenced and gated with access control, full surveillance, and monitored fire alarm system.  There are several ponds and trails on the property and acres of nature landscape to explore. Well-serviced infrastructure including flowing wells, septic systems, underground power, and propane tanks are also featured.

Its location allows convenient exploration of the nearby Golden Isles, renowned for their pristine beaches and historic charm. Discover the rich history of Jekyll Island, indulge in the luxury of St. Simons Island, or embark on an adventure to Cumberland Island's unspoiled wilderness. Enjoy golfing at the prestigious Sanctuary Golf Club in Waverly, GA, or simply unwind amidst the tranquil beauty that surrounds this remarkable property. The upscale Sea Island’s 31561 ZIP Code has the U.S.’s priciest residential real estate within a vacation resort as ranked by median listing price, according to The Wall Street Journal - see the full article below:

Sea Island, Georgia, Is America’s Priciest Resort - WSJ

Cedar Lodge Resort offers a rare chance to own a thriving event venue with established amenities, a stellar reputation, room for expansion and additional monetization by maximizing the cabins. This “one-of-a-kind” property promises a lucrative and fulfilling investment while being surrounded by the benefits of Coastal Georgia’s southern charm.

“There is also an opportunity if you wanted to build the cabins out, the individual cabins, turning around and selling those to individuals, whether it's through a long-term lease, like a 99 year lease, or just selling them outright and having them rent out themselves as a short-term rental. And then you as the property owner of the community areas charging like a management fee or kind of an HOA type fee. That's an opportunity as well that could be used out here that would still allow the property to operate as its operating, but generate additional revenue” - Kori Mcgraw

“The opportunity is here to expand the cabins to 29 as part of the resort or even sell them through a 99-year lease, like what we are doing now at Black’s Island, is a game changer. At Black’s Island those 26 cabins are the secret to how it became a $50M island.  Either way, wealth is being created.” - Jon Kohler

“If I had to come back and say what I would envision this place to look like in say 10 years or less, I would compare it to resorts such as Barnsley Resort in North Georgia…and also Palmetto Bluff.” - Kori McGraw