Category: Uncategorized

It is Christmas time in Aiken. That is a delightful thing. Colder weather is sweeping in and thus, the inviting fireplaces of The Willcox beckon.

And for a little bit longer, I am ensconced in the embrace of her most comfortable cocoon. I am happy to stake out my ground and declare she is special, charming and an enchanting top of the hospitality heights. The Willy is, simply put, iconic.

I have grown to know her well. For over a decade, I have, from often time to time, camped out here while at work, while in trial, while writing my books, while simply seeking some ‘down time’ and rest. I admit, when here, I luxuriate in her manifold and many comforts. Her food and drink, her people are all just easily beyond fine. Good humor and good manners and good conversation abound.

Her ambiance is Southern unique. She is a throwback time warp, the transfer portal to a proper touch serendipity and a just right, comfortable hedonism. When here, I am a happy sybarite, and she helps my brain calm and work thoughtfully.

Surely, you say, surely you exaggerate.
No, not at all, not in the least. She is, flatly put, a gem.

-E. Vernon F. Glenn, Author, Attorney & Raconteur

Guests often ask: How can I enjoy equestrian culture in the winter?
There are plenty of activities and competitions during the winter season that welcome spectators.

If you are a morning person, The Aiken Training Track will have young thoroughbreds training typically from 7-9am – enjoy watching Railside during their morning training ritual.

Recently a guest who had never attended a horse show asked about spectator etiquette…which is a great question! I shared this article which they found very helpful, and it still holds true!

There are so many ways to enjoy thoroughbred country, and we hope you find it as exciting as we do!

Happy Spectating!
Tina McCarthy
Willcox General Manager & Horse Enthusiast

Where to Spectate Horse Shows & Competitions
National USEF Jumper Shows – Aiken Horse Park
USEA Horse Trials and USDF Competitions – Stable View
Hunter Jumper Shows – Highfields

Winter Art Classes
Interested in learning about oil painting? Or maybe try your hand in acrylics and drawing!
Join classes at Aiken Art Annex this Winter.

Register here – https://aikenartannex.com/registration/

Take time to rejuvenate…
Let this be a season to give yourself freedom from expectation, create presence of mind and peace from the many distractions of life…

Lose yourself in a great novel
Meditate & breathe with intention
Take a long walk somewhere in nature
Relax & laugh at a silly movie or show
Turn your phone off – if only for 30 minutes
Spend time with yourself and those you love
Write away worries in your journal
Remember to be kind to you

When in doubt, take an extra-long bubble bath, pour a glass of something delicious & turn up your favorite tunes.

Stay tuned for more details on special spa & self-care packages this winter.

“My passion is the restaurant industry,” Matt said. “Every day is a school day and I love to learn. The Court of Master Sommeliers was a perfect fit for me. Level One really sets the standards for what the Court expects you to know and learn over the course of your training. My goal is to eventually become a Master Sommelier—it’s my 10 year goal, and my next step in the certification process will be completed in early 2021. I have always had the ‘wine bug’ and the Court has definitely taken me to the next level.”

Matt and Lindsay’s training and education will bring new experiences to The Willcox for all of our guests, age 21 and up, to enjoy.

“Wine service has already begun changing at The Willcox as we now have trained sommeliers gathering information from customers to offer sound advice on great wines,” Matt said. “We’re helping them to select wines that apply to their specific tastes. We’re also engaging in the correct service methods and ensuring that all of our wines are at the correct temperature.”

While Matt’s favorite wine offered at The Willcox is Leclerc Briant NV Champagne from France, he takes all kinds of elements into consideration before offering his suggestion and advice to a guest as they select what they would like to drink.

“It all depends on the day, time of year, and the guest,” Matt said. “As a sommelier, it is our duty to listen to the guest and see what they are in the mood for. It isn’t for me to tell them what they like.”

In celebration of this achievement, they will be introducing a new wine by the glass program at The Willcox consisting of wines described sa having a superior character and style, and rated 85 or above by Wine Spectator. The next time that you stop by The Willcox, be sure to congratulate them! This is a huge accomplishment and we are immensely proud of them.

There’s a palpable energy in Aiken this month as the heat of summer begins to fade away and the cool, crisp autumn air begins to blow down Laurens Street, through The Alley, and right up to our front porch. Fall is here and with it comes a bustling social calendar filled with the Aiken Steeplechase, family gatherings, and holiday parties.

Before life gets too busy for you, we invite you to take a minute to appreciate the little things this month that make living in and visiting Aiken so wonderful.

Spend a morning hiking through Hitchcock Woods. Known as one of the largest urban forests in the country, it’s less than half a mile away from our hotel. You can take to the trails by foot or by hoof—there’s nothing we love more than an early morning horseback ride through this forest. Time your visit just right and you’ll even enjoy some autumn colors gracing the canopy of the trees around town and in Hitchcock Woods.

Make plans to meet up with a friend one day this week to sit in one of our rocking chairs with a tall glass of sweet tea or lemonade, and take the time to catch up with one another as you enjoy the beautiful Aiken weather. Sip a glass of red wine from our award-winning wine list in the evening as the sun sets and the cooler temperatures descend around you. Before it gets too chilly, step back inside the warm embrace of our lobby to grab a seat by the fire or a table in our dining room for dinner.

For the ultimate relaxation, escape to our Salon & Spa where you’ll be graciously welcomed into a truly serene atmosphere that promotes rejuvenation. You’ll leave your cares and worries at the door as you indulge in spending a little time pampering both your mind and your body in our Spa.

Before you know it, it’ll be time to put on your Steeplechase best, to begin shopping for the perfect hostess gift for all of your holiday parties, and to gather around the table with your family. Be sure to take a moment to soak in the beauty that surrounds you this fall season in Aiken!

The slow, leisurely days of summer are about to slip by us as we welcome the fall season with open arms in Aiken. Our town begins to come alive again as the heat waves roll away and are instead replaced with cool mornings and 70 degree days. Social calendars begin to fill up in advance with everything from afternoons at Whitney Field to weekends spent perusing local arts festivals.

However you choose to experience Aiken this fall, we know that you’re going to love the variety of activities that there are for you to enjoy. Planning a trip? We can help you pick out the perfect weekend to come to town based on what you and your travel companions like to do on a weekend getaway.

We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorite things happening in town this fall:

Aiken’s Makin’
September 6-7, 2019
For 43 years, Aiken’s Makin’ has been gracing the streets of historic downtown Aiken with their two day arts and crafts festival. Local artists and vendors showcase everything from jewelry, ceramics, and pottery to wood-crafts, furniture, toys, and more for you to shop.
Click here for more information.

Oktoberfest
September 21, 2019
This year, you don’t have to travel to Germany or even to Europe to experience Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest—traditionally a 16-18 day folk festival held in Bavaria, Germany from mid September to the first weekend of October—is a perfect excuse to get together with friends and enjoy time together outside in a biergarten. Did you know? Oktoberfest have been held annually around the world since 1810!
Click here for more information.

Fall Steeplechase
October 26, 2019
Easily the highlight of the fall social calendar, the Fall Steeplechase is the event to go to in the fall in Aiken. This family friendly event includes six steeplechase races around the track, a day of tailgating, a carriage parade, and a Village of Shops that you can peruse at your leisure throughout the day. There are even stick horse races for kids of all ages! It’s a wonderful way to spend the day with your family and friends as you socialize and watch the races.
Click here for more information.

Blessing of the Hounds
November 28, 2019
Start off your Thanksgiving Day festivities with one of Aiken’s most time honored traditions: the Blessing of the Hounds. Held at 11am on Thanksgiving morning each year, The Blessing immediately precedes the the Aiken Hounds’ formal Opening Meet. The traditional ceremony is open to the public in Hitchcock Woods, and lasting just 30 minutes, it’s a great event for the entire family to enjoy.
Click here for more information.

Which event are you most looking forward to this fall? We know that we can’t choose just one—you can bet that you’ll find us at each one of these events this season. We hope to see you out there!

Deep in the woods, we find enhanced fitness, accelerated healing, increased mental focus, and improved biological responses to reducing stress and disease. Groundbreaking scientific research has found that trees and plants emit airborne compounds called phytoncides. These compounds have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, and when inhaled, they simulate white blood cells to produce cells that fight against disease. In Japan, they call this shinrin-yoku or forest bathing.

What exactly is forest bathing? Per TIME Magazine, forest bathing is “bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.” It isn’t an outdoor activity like riding your horse through Hitchcock Woods or even attending one of the summer concert series in the gardens. It’s a quieter, more relaxed activity where you leave behind your phone and your camera, turn off all outside distractions, and simply allow for your senses to experience the outdoors.

Two of our favorite places in Aiken to go to experience nature are Hitchcock Woods and Hopelands Gardens. Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the entire country, is filled with over 70 miles of trails that you can enjoy by hoof, by foot, or by bike. The key with forest bathing though is that you’ll need to sit down and experience nature silence, so we suggest exploring the woods by foot so that once you find the perfect spot, you can easily sit down and settle in for a few peaceful moments. Take a deep breath and breathe in everything that nature has to offer your senses.

In Hopelands Gardens, you can walk down one of the pathways until you find a secluded corner of the garden where you can retreat from the outside world to allow for you senses to fully explore the gardens. Breathe in the fresh, floral scent of the flowers that are blooming all around you. Listen to the low buzz of the bumblebees as they flit from flower to flower and the chirping of the birds. Reach out and feel the leaves of the ivy growing all around you.

The key to forest bathing is finding a spot that’s just right for you. Where are your favorite spots to experience nature in Aiken? We’d love to see your photos! Tag us in your forest bathing adventures this summer on social media by tagging @thewillcox and #thewillcox.

Read more about forest bathing in Time Magazine’s article here.

We invite you to join us by the pool this month for an exciting new craft beer release party!

Aiken’s own Bobby Hottenson, a partner of Nicaragua Craft Beer Co, is introducing South Carolina to their flagship beer on Tuesday, June 18th. This will be a tasting event with a special food menu created by our Chef Ed and will be out by our pool. You’re welcome to sample the beer, enjoy the food, and even jump in our pool for an evening swim!

Bobby, along with partners Brendan DeBlois and Matt Greenberg, moved to South America and brought the first brewery to Nicaragua in 2013 in Nicaragua’s most famous beach town, San Juan del Sur. They started with three flagship beers—the Boom IPA, Nicarao Wheat Beer, and Popoyo Passion Fruit Ale—and have since expanded. We’re excited that they have chosen The Willcox as where they would like to introduce our state to their fantastic craft beer.

If you are a craft beer connoisseur or if you want to keep the Father’s Day celebrations going for your craft beer loving father, this is one event that you won’t want to miss. Be among the first in our state to try out this delicious new beer!

How do you plan the ultimate vacation when you’re ready for a getaway, ready to explore a new place, or ready to escape somewhere for ultimate relaxation?

One of our favorite travel resources, Condé Nast Traveler, has all of the information you could ever need when it comes to discovering a new, exciting place to travel to. They provide inspiration, new destinations to explore, information on places to stay, a peek into the style and culture of where you’re headed, and food and drink information for you to peruse. It’s a one stop shop for all of the details you need to plan the best vacation.

Our team at The Willcox is truly honored to be on the ballot again this year for the Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards. These prestigious awards only feature the best around the world. They highlight everything from the best hotels to the best ski resorts, best train journeys, and best airports. It’s an all-encompassing list that will spark your imagination for planning your next trip.

As a valued guest of The Willcox, we would sincerely appreciate your vote in the Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards. Voting is open until June 30th and it’s a simple process to share what you loved about your visit with us. You’ll even be entered to win a dream trip when you vote!

We are very grateful for your support and look forward to welcoming you back to The Willcox again soon!

This Earth Day, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the ways that we are committed to minimizing our overall impact on the environment.

Our team makes every effort to conserve water and energy at The Willcox, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and minimizing waste. One way that we work to minimize waste is through our partnership with Clean the World, an organization that provides recycled soap products and educational materials to impoverished families around the globe.

Fast Facts:

• According to the World Health Organization, millions of young lives could be saved with access to bar soap and basic hygiene education. Pneumonia and diarrheal disease are two of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old.
• Hotels throw away over 2 million bars of partially used soap every dayin the United States

Source: https://cleantheworld.org/#

At The Willcox, our team donates all of our used solid and liquid soap amenities to Clean the World. The bars of soap are sanitized, grinder, and cut into new bars that are then boxed for distribution to impoverished communities around the globe. How cool is that? Instead of ending up in a landfill, our used soaps gain a second life through Clean the World and go to someone who truly needs it.

Clean the World does more than just recycle soap products and distribute them around the globe. They also educate children and their families on proper hygiene, starting with how to effectively wash hands. In Las Vegas, Clean the World has started a new program aimed to provide the basic comfort and dignity of cleanliness to their homeless population. Their Fresh Start Mobile Showers do more than just provide a shower—they connect the homeless with organizations that can help put them on the path to self-sufficiency.

We are proud to partner with Clean the World! What Green Practices are you participating in to help our world this Earth Day?

Three years ago, Southern Living launched their South’s Best Awards which allowed their readers to celebrate the people and places that they love the most in the South. From BBQ joints to beach towns, food cities, and more, readers across the country weighed in on their favorite places to visit, dine, and stay. Last year, in the 2nd edition of the Southern Living South’s Best Awards, our hometown of Aiken took home the title of “Best Small Town in the South” and The Willcox was listed as the #2 Hotel in the South. We were beyond honored to have received such an outstanding award alongside our hometown.

Our past-guests and our community of Aiken rallied around us this year, and through their voting efforts, they vaulted us to the top spot for 2019. We are pleased to announce that The Willcox was named the Best Hotel in the South!

“At Southern Living, we’re passionate about celebrating the extraordinary people and places that define Southern hospitality,” said Sid Evans, the Editor in Chief of Southern Living. “Our goal is to identify the destinations our readers are loving the most right now—places that represent the very best of the South. This year’s awards represent a unique mix of newcomers and longtime favorites.”

We are honored to be named Southern Living’s South’s Best Hotel for 2019, and we are joined on the list of Best Hotels in the South by some prestigious company in the hospitality industry:

1 – The Willcox, Aiken, SC
2 – The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
3 – The Peabody Memphis, Memphis, TN
4 – Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, LA
5 – The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, VA
6 – The Roosevelt, New Orleans, LA
7 – Belmond Charleston Place, Charleston, SC
8 – The Brown Hotel, Louisville, KY
9 – 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville, KY
10 – Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg, VA

Congratulations to all of our hotel and inn friends across the South, and a special thank you to all of our guests who voted for us! Your vote means the world to us, and to us, you are the South’s Best Guests!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to come and stay with us at The Willcox yet, we invite you to come experience why we were voted as the South’s Best Hotel this spring. Book your stay with us, make an appointment in our full-service Salon and Spa, enjoy fine dining in our restaurant, and explore all that our wonderful hometown of Aiken has to offer to you. We promise that you, like the readers of Southern Living, will be enchanted by our hotel and charmed by our small Southern town.