Lanier Islands Resort Revisits the Old While Embracing the New Leading Into 2026

Through the visionary leadership of the Williams Family – with a third generation at the helm in President Matthew Bowling, Georgia’s Lanier Islands Resort stands committed to a culture of continuous improvement. During a year that marked the 50th anniversary of the lakeside destination’s launch on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, the resort witnessed several exciting foundational shifts in conjunction with a number of impactful accolades – including this month’s recognition of Lanier Islands Resort as one of Georgia’s Best Vacation Destinations. Never ones to rest on their laurels, the Lanier Islands’ leadership team is already eyeing even more thrilling developments over the months to come as the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026.

“Honoring the enduring innovation and principles of my grandfather, Virgil R. Williams, we will continue to evolve for the benefit of our guests,” said Bowling. “He stepped out in faith and fearlessness when he assumed management of this 1200-acre lakeside property from the State of Georgia twenty years ago. It’s only fitting that we do the same every day that we cross the bridge that he designed and constructed – the one that welcomes more than 1 million guests to our shores each year. He still weighs in with his ideas and inspires me to reach higher to create a true destination that is worthy of the love and loyalty of the people of Georgia, the South, and beyond.”

Over the course of 2025, Lanier Islands Resort…

• Welcomed several hospitality industry veterans to new leadership roles at the resort, including: Robert Holsten as General Manager; Nishant Chaudhary – most recently of Chateau Elan Resort & Winery – as Food & Beverage Director; Hakan Hendekli – who also shares a longstanding history with Chateau Elan Resort & Winery – as Director of Rooms; Lisa Jo Meredith as Director of Human Resources; Will Battle as Director of Finance; and Kristie Prantil as Director of Marketing

• Enhanced its meeting and wedding venue portfolio with the debut of the Chapel on Lanier and Lakeside Garden – a memorial tribute to two beloved members of the Williams Family – bringing the total number of indoor and outdoor event venues to 14

• Debuted its Lanier Islands Resort Gives Back FREE Summer Concert Series

• Hosted its first lantern festival – The Lights Fest – which drew over 4,500 attendees for a night when live music and thousands of biodegradable, fire-resistant lanterns filled the air

• Reimagined a beloved holiday tradition by bringing back the Magical Nights of Lights – a six-mile holiday light tour – after a five-year hiatus, which has witnessed record-breaking attendance since its return. Guests have raved about the choice of two post-show destinations – the indoor Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer, complete with food, fun, games, and Clark’s Holiday Pop-up Bar, as well as the outdoor License to Chill Snow Islands inside Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. While there, guests can enjoy snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, and more. This event runs through January 4, 2026

• Garnered a spot in the Top Five Public Golf Courses in Georgia by GolfPass

• Was honored for the first time by ConventionSouth Magazine with a 2025 Readers' Choice Award

• Was recognized by Georgia Business Journal readers as a Best of Georgia Vacation Destination

• Had its superlative wedding venues and services honored once again with The Knot’s 2025 Best of Weddings and WeddingWire’s 2025 Couples Choice Awards

In 2026, Lanier Islands Resort will complete a nearly $3Mroom refresh throughout its flagship hotel, Legacy Lodge. There are also exciting plans underway to further enhance the golf experience at Legacy Golf Course, including a $2.5M clubhouse renovation and the creation of Georgia’s only lighted Par-3 course. A focus on thoughtfully created and curated events will further solidify Lanier Islands Resort as a four-season destination, including the return of Magical Nights of Lights and The Lights Fest in 2026. The lakeside destination will also add several new experiences to its event calendar, such as a Fall Songwriter Series.

Lanier Islands Resort is 45 miles north of Atlanta at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. For more information about the Georgia lakeside destination and its ongoing Magical Nights of Lights event, visit www.LanierIslands.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming events at the resort, follow Lanier Islands on Facebook @lanierislands, Instagram @lanierislands, TikTok @lanier_islands, and LinkedIn @Lake-Lanier-Islands-Resort.