City: Charlotte, NC

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (704) 248-4000, (866) 248-4824

Address: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

Description: Charlotte has its share of fine hotels, but only one luxury resort. Opened in late 2001 in the booming Ballantyne area south of town, the Ballantyne Hotel features 214 deluxe guest rooms, including parlor suites and palatial presidential suites. Marble baths with oval soaking tubs and separate showers, original artwork and antiques, 10-foot ceilings with crown moldings, fine linens, plush robes, and nightly turndown with chocolates are just a few of the indulgent details that make you feel miles away from Charlotte. Business travelers appreciate the spacious work desks, two telephones with dual phone lines, free local calls, and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Ballantyne guests also enjoy an indoor grotto pool, two continuous-wave lap pools, his and her saunas, a whirlpool, full-service health club, and an outdoor patio for sunbathing.For an extra treat, choose from among 60 treatments at the Ballantyne Resort Spa. On-site dining options include the relaxed Grill Room for breakfast and lunch, and Traditions, an intimate and upscale fine-dining restaurant, for dinner. Enjoy a drink in the Lobby Bar, with its veranda and sweeping golf course view, or at the 19th Hole Lounge in the clubhouse. If you’re in town for a meeting or special celebration, the resort offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space on two levels, including a 6,500-square-foot ballroom with 16-foot ceilings and elegant chandeliers.A separate facility called the Lodge is perfect for corporate retreats with 35 custom-furnished guest rooms, tennis courts, a basketball court, a business center, and conference facilities in a tranquil golf course setting. Ballantyne guests also get privileges at the resort’s 18-hole golf course, voted the best new course in North Carolina in 2001. In addition, the course is home to the nationally known Dana Rader Golf School, a state-of-the-art instruction facility with a variety of clinics for golfers who want to improve their game. Popular with visiting celebrities, professional athletes, politicians, and CEOs, the Ballantyne is a AAA Four-Diamond Award winner and a member of Starwood Hotels’ Luxury Collection.