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The birds are chirping, the azaleas are beginning to bloom, and the grass is turning greener by the day. Spring is here and before you know it, Mother’s Day will be here as well. Have you made those all important plans yet for how you plan to celebrate the special mother in your life this May? Mother’s Day Weekend is May 12th – 14th.

There are plenty of ways to shower your mom with appreciation and love this Mother’s Day at The Willcox.

You can make reservations now to enjoy a Mother’s Day brunch in our restaurant with your entire family. Come and savor a delicious meal prepared by our restaurant especially for you.

Daughters, set aside some time to enjoy an entire morning or afternoon with your mother in our salon and spa. We are a full service salon and spa offering a wide range of services from massages to facials to manicures and pedicures. What mother doesn’t enjoy being pampered every now and then?

Don’t forget about all of the “new” mothers in your life, either! Recently married with a new mother-in-law to celebrate? Include her in your brunch plans or your mother/daughter spa afternoon. Is your wife pregnant and about to become a mother for the very first time? Why not book your Babymoon at The Willcox? We offer a Babymoon hotel package that she is sure to love, check it out here https://thewillcox.com/specials-packages/. Be prepared to celebrate all the wonderful mothers that you love!

To truly create a wonderful Mother’s Day for your favorite mother, go ahead and book an overnight visit with us. You can combine all of the best things that we have to offer: brunch reservations in our restaurant, an appointment in our salon and spa, and the luxury of staying in one of our many delightful, welcoming guestrooms.
However you choose to celebrate the extraordinary mother in your life this year, we hope that you choose to celebrate with us! We look forward to making it a unique and memorable weekend for her!

Not too hot, not too cold.

April in Aiken; the sun is out, and the bright green is back in the leaves and grass. Light breezes blow the Spanish moss as people sweep the last bit of pollen off their front porches. All the neighbors are finding reasons to be outside. Here at The Willcox, we love picnics and have created a special package – a picnic package!

You have the option to bring your own picnic basket, or purchase a Willcox one, and we pack everything for you to take for a romantic outing to Hitchcock Woods, Hopeland Gardens, or the Polo Fields. If you’re a morning person, enjoy coffee and muffins as you watch the sunrise. If you prefer a beautiful sunset, we pack an array of cheeses and wine in your basket.

No matter the occasion or amount of people, the packages are catered and customized however you like; with options that consist of offsite table and linen set-up. The South is known for its hospitable people and a sweet, simple way of life. This Spring, enjoy a relaxing outdoor picnic.

National Hot Toddy Day

Crackling fires, cozy chairs, close company, and a warm, spiced beverage.  We specialize in creating an experience and ambiance that can be described as high quality meeting easy going elegance. The Lobby Bar is furnished with large sofas and chairs, walls wrapped in curly pine, and is anchored by large stone fireplaces. You’re likely to find people gathering for professional purposes or intimate social gatherings. We know our guests visit us for a multitude of reasons, and we love finding any reason for celebration.

This January we are celebrating National Hot Toddy Day at The Willcox. For those who may not be familiar with what a Hot Toddy is, you are in for a treat. A Hot Toddy is a warm cocktail that originated in the UK, and then has been found throughout history as the cocktail of American Southerners. It is still known as a southern winter staple today.

At The Willcox, we use Bourbon as the base spirit for our Hot Toddy, however, it can be crafted with Whisky or Rum as well. The spirit is poured over a mixture of sweet honey dissolved in hot water.  It is finished with a little bit of fresh lemon juice and a twisted strip of lemon peel garnish.

The Lobby Bar was voted as the area’s best, including the  “Place to See and Be Seen,” during happy hour and home of the “Tastiest Original Cocktail.” Matt is our mixologist and the friendly face that will greet you at our massive, solid oak bar. We invite you to come sit by the fire, order your own Hot Toddy, and relax and enjoy true Southern Hospitality.

Hot Toddy Recipe

Stir honey and hot water in a 2-cup measuring cup until honey dissolves. Add bourbon, and twist a strip of lemon peel over each drink, then add to glass.

• 2 oz Burbon
• 1 Tablespoon of Honey
• 2 Teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 Cup of Hot Water

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We love the holidays and we are excited to have parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting and elves tucking in children.

-Enjoy a cocktail & live holiday tunes performed by John Vaughn and Brooke Lundy in our lobby on Sunday, Dec. 11 or Dec. 18 from 6-8pm by our roaring fireplaces.

-We love our city! Enjoy a trolley tour through Aiken on one of the following dates: Dec. 10, 17, 24 or 31! You’ll see Historic homes, equestrian sites and other special points of interest. To learn more, visit: http://www.visitaikensc.com/calendar/event/aiken_historic_tour

-Get holiday ready at our spa! Try one of our guest favorites like our signature manicure and pedicure or a hot stone massage.

-Give the perfect gift, The Willcox gift card can be used in our spa, hotel or restaurant – have you seen our new packaging?

-Hopelands Gardens is truly enchanting – enjoy over 2 miles of lighted pathways and 100,000 twinkling lights. To learn more, visit: http://www.visitaikensc.com/calendar/event/christmas_in_hopelands

-Staying at The Willcox over Christmas? Make your experience magical by having one of Santa’s elf tuck in your precious little one, bring cookies and read a book! See the video above!

-Have a holiday party to attend? Treat yourself by having your make-up and hair styled here at The Willcox and enjoy a glass of champagne for ultimate relaxation and enjoyment!

-Join us in celebrating the joyous season with our Christmas Eve Dinner: $45 per person and kids menu available for children 12 and under. (Reservations needed)

-Have your complimentary photo taken with Santa & Mrs. Claus by photographer Brent Cline in front of the fire when you bring an unwrapped gift or cash donation for Toys for Tots! December 14th from 4 to 6pm

-We have marshmallows for roasting! Snuggle up with your loved ones and enjoy the classic tradition of making S’mores. Available to hotel guests through our Custom Tailored Experience options for $20 per couple.

We look forward to hosting you and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

• Trip to the Spa: A deep tissue massage can be the answer to all your holiday stress – Take advantage of a 60 minute massage for $80 and 90 minutes for $110. If you’re really wanting to relax, add in DoTerra Aromatherapy Oil like a relaxing lavender scent for only $10!
• Date Night: Take a night off of holiday planning to enjoy a date night at The Lobby Bar. Have fun tasting new wines or crafting your very own Manhattan by choosing your whiskey and your specialty bitter.
• Romantic Escape Package: The Willcox is the place to escape for a little alone time and rejuvenation. Relax in front of roaring fires, play outside in the perfect temperature and enjoy the change of the seasons ahead. With rates starting at $160 per night, indulge in a bottle of champagne upon arrival, enjoy an intimate dinner for two in our award-winning restaurant and luxuriate with a couples massage. Get more information about our Romantic Escape package under “Romance & Spa” here: https://thewillcox.com/specials-packages/

We love our pampered pooches! It’s important to know what goes into their food and treats to make sure they’re getting the proper nutrition to live their canine lives to the fullest. Here at The Willcox, we’re known for using freshly sourced and organic ingredients as often as possible in our Restaurant. We also take on the same mindset for serving our four-legged guests. Whether it’s an “I Love You” bone or our “Turkey Jerky”, we want you to know what’s in each of our gourmet Dog Treats so you can feel confident in your pet’s stay:

Chicken and Cheese Treat:
This tail-wagging option includes all natural chicken, flour, broth, cheese, parsley, and oregano. It’s also sodium and fat free for those pups that might be on a restricted diet.

Turkey Jerky:
Your pooch will need a belly rub after this indulgent treat complete with 100% all natural turkey, molasses, oregano, parsley and a natural smoke flavor.

Doggie Donuts:
Treat your loyal bird dog to the finer things in life like our doggie donuts loaded with flour, honey, vanilla, eggs, yogurt and unsweetened coconut.

We hold our guests in high esteem – even if they’re covered in hair, chew on toys and tend to sleep all day. We have several experience enhancements not only for you, but for your pup. For your next stay, consider a Dog Welcome Basket that includes selection of homemade treats such as: Peanut butter I LOVE YOU bones, mini mutt muffins, a bag of chicken and cheese biscuits and turkey jerkey for only $25. And of course, all of The Willcox Dog’s get their very own Dog Tag and Door Sign to use during their stay. See more here: https://thewillcox.com/customize/. Also, treats can be purchased by phone and shipped right to your front door!

 
Tickets are now available and are offered on a first-come, first served basis – Call today to reserve your spot: (803) 648-1898. We can’t wait to celebrate all things Southern with you!

“My great grandmother started beekeeping back in the 1920s and its been a family project ever since. I decided to get bees because aside from all of the benefits of raw honey, they are great for pollinating the rest of my crops. Additionally, the honeybee population has drastically decreased in the last ten years due to pesticides and lack of food and its important to nurture the species and keep them around for the future of the planet’s plant life.”