As many of us grow older, we find ourselves separated from the friends we’ve made during each phase in our lives. It’s important to stay connected, as friendship truly is what makes us feel important and connected. Every year, my girlfriends and I take a weekend in May to celebrate ALL of our birthdays. It is a blissful, relaxing time to escape the daily responsibilities of working and being wives and mothers. This year, we wanted to stay local to the Atlanta area, and our requirement was a hotel with a good pool with a bar and plenty of dining options. Being local means that you get to pack fewer items, you can arrive early on a Friday and start relaxing immediately and you check out late without the dread of the long drive home.
My friends and I chose The Hotel at Avalon. Located in Alpharetta’s outstanding mixed-use community of Avalon, which is its own destination situation just off of GA 400, Avalon offers so much to do along its lovely walkable streets lined with more than 75 unique upscale stores and an abundance of nosheries for food and drink options. We loved sitting outside while enjoying a cocktail and watching couples having a night out or families gathered for celebrations. When we checked into the hotel, a sense of Zen settled right in as the decor is upscale but super comfy. Then the door opened to our upgraded suite, and it was perfect for all of us to spread out, as we had a living and dining room plus a separate bedroom. French doors opened right out to the pool, which was exactly what we wanted! Since we were there early on Friday eve, we grabbed a glass of wine and headed out to the rooftop lawn area by the pool to begin our weekend of catching up on life.
As the sun began to set, it was time to get dressed up for our dinner at South City Kitchen. Hats off to the developers of the Hotel with securing one of Atlanta’s best known Southern-inspired restaurants that has been in the Atlanta region for more than two decades. We enjoyed fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and more. The turbo and scallops entrée was my favorite. After a bottle or two of wine and chocolate cake to celebrate the birthdays, we were all content with just heading back to the outdoor seating area by the pool to reflect on the happenings of the past year.
After a quiet sleep in this massive hotel with 300+ rooms, we awoke on Saturday morning ready to find the Starbucks located right inside the hotel. How cool is that? Then we got in a nice morning walk to Goldbergs within Avalon for a bagel and fruit breakfast. It was then time to get to the pool to find our all-day spot on a lounge chair. No need to bring your big pool towels, as the hotel offers them ready for your use. The morning sun was glorious, and we were able to just linger and relax. Lunch was a step inside our suite for Vietnamese food delivered from District III, which is located on the Avalon property. 
Then we headed back to the pool for the whole afternoon. I still can’t believe we were in town at a posh hotel pool on a Saturday with nothing planned for the whole day. Pure excitement is the best word, as all ladies need a day for themselves. Make sure you add in drinks from the pool bar, as they are divine! It was a great day, and we met a few other groups who had planned the same weekend escape. Whether you are celebrating your 30th or 50th birthdays, you’ll find that The Hotel at Avalon is perfect for a great celebration.
After we all had a sun-kissed glow from the day, we had to go shopping. We walked right out of the hotel down to some of our favorite stores, such as Athleta, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma. Then we returned to the hotel to hang out in the one of the many meeting areas that allows guests to enjoy comfy chairs and sofas. I love that the hotel has a upscale yet relaxed feel so you can just be yourself. We were there for a hour or more laughing and reminiscing about our past trips and how this one was the best since we could really be lazy and have everything within a few steps away.
Girlfriend getaways are always good for the soul, and Avalon was proving to be the perfect destination. When was the last time you and your girlfriends got together for a weekend of catching up on life and sitting still for a minute with no itinerary? If you can’t remember, then plan a weekend right now. If you don’t book it soon, it may never happen. And with The Hotel at Avalon only a short drive away, there are no more excuses. Get ready to kick back and relax right around the corner from home.
