A beautiful, restful escape just 25 miles from Birmingham

If you’ve been around here for awhile you know that I’m a big fan of a getaway and I have found an amazing escape, practically in my backyard! This beautiful, restful place to which I’m referring is Honeywood Valley, just 25 miles from Birmingham! A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful privilege of spending an overnight staycation at Honeywood Valley with my college roommates. It is the perfect place to unwind with friends, family or co-workers. It would be a great place for a getaway, reunion or corporate retreat. When you book a stay at Honeywood Valley, you’re booking the entire 895 acre property which includes the five bedroom Honeywood Lodge, a beautiful lake, hiking trails, gorgeous views and so much more! Also on property is a rustic barn that serves as an event venue (including weddings)!
Situated on a beautiful private lake, the spacious 7,500 sq. ft. Honeywood Lodge has five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths. It sleeps up to thirteen- three bedrooms with king beds, one with a queen bed + daybed, and a bunk room with two sets of bunk beds. *It is important to note that you cannot rent just one room – you must rent the entire lodge.
Driving onto the property at Honeywood Valley offers the first glimpse of Honeywood Lodge across the lake-and it is stunning! The setting is so peaceful, serene and inviting. The warm, rustic interiors of the lodge set the tone and offer guests a welcoming feeling the second they step foot in the door. One of my friends mentioned that she felt like she was at the Ritz Carlton Lake Oconee and I definitely see the similarities. The exposed wood and beautiful stone work throughout the lodge create warm, cozy vibes! One of my favorite features of the lodge is the large, double-sided gas fire place between the living room and dining room. We relaxed in the living room with the fire going before dinner and then enjoyed that same fire from the dining room while eating dinner! Firewood is provided and the Filson firewood carrier makes it easy to transport the firewood from the side yard to the house.
The rustic and spacious living room has plenty of seating. In the cabinet under the TV, there are several games for the enjoyment of guests! Just off the living room is a bar that has several sets of drinkware, bar tools, a few beverage coolers and an ice maker. We brought ingredients to make pre-dinner cocktails!
The master suite is something special, particularly the master bathroom! The large tub situated in the middle of the bathroom with a double sided fireplace is a dream come true! The plush bathrobes which are provided and a large walk-in shower are a plus, too! With two sinks and a vanity, there was plenty of room for all of us girls to get ready for dinner together in the master bath. Even though there are plenty of other bathrooms in the house – we wanted to feel like we were in college again! After dinner, we came right back to the master bath to pamper ourselves a little and do face masks in the robes!
The master bedroom has stunning views of the lake and includes access to one of the SIX outdoor porches throughout the house -an ideal place to drink a cup of coffee or read a book!
Honeywood Valley partners with Table & Thyme, an awesome Birmingham catering company, for gourmet meal options. During our stay we ordered the “grill out” package which includes breakfast and dinner. There were two breakfast options to choose from and dinner included the choice of two smoked proteins, two warm sides, one salad and homemade chocolate chip cookies! The meal was delicious and such an easy option. My friends and I agreed that the smoked beef brisket was our favorite!
We also enjoyed a delicious graze box from Table & Thyme’s “Graze” – it was the perfect late afternoon snack!
The items we selected for the weekend meals were stocked in the fridge, fully prepared before our arrival. They came with simple instructions, which made meal times a breeze! The kitchen appliances – including a six-burner gas stove and two KitchenAid ovens – are state of the art. There is plenty of dinnerware and serveware for creating a table setting to make meals extra special! If you prefer to prepare your own meals while there rather than using the catering options, the kitchen is fully equipped with basic kitchen tools and gadgets, Instant Pot, slow cooker, Vitamix, drip and Keurig coffee makers and a gas grill. The closest grocery store is about 20 minutes away so if you are going to bring groceries, I recommend buying them on your way to the property or if you have a Shipt membership, they will deliver to Honeywood Valley!
In addition to Table & Thyme, Honeywood Valley partners with a few other vendors with optional offerings to make your experience extra special! Have a wine or Bourbon tasting with Jones Is Thirsty, facial and body treatments with Fancy Face BHAM or learn how to make sushi with Birmingham Sushi Classes! While Honeywood Valley does not have a specific wellness partner, they do have preferred contacts if you’d like to do a yoga or wellness class during your stay. These experiences are offered at an additional cost and can be arranged prior to your stay.
During our visit to Honeywood, it rained almost the entire time, but that did not keep us from thoroughly enjoying our stay! Honeywood Valley truly is the perfect place to relax, catch up and unwind. When weather permits, there are numerous outdoor activities to enjoy! These activities include:

Fishing – there is a fishing boat with oars available for use; be sure to bring your own fishing rods and tackle

Canoeing or Kayaking – both are included with the rental of the property

Hiking around the vast property

Yard Games such as corn hole and bocce ball

Jet Ski and ATV are available to add-on for an additional cost

Biking – Guests are permitted to bring their own bikes

There is plenty of outdoor seating on the grounds outside Honeywood Lodge for lounging and dining on warm sunny days. For chilly nights, there is a large fire pit to gather with family and friends!
In addition to private stays, the property can be rented for half-days and full-days for special events. Weddings must book the full weekend.

There is nothing better than catching up with best friends and eating yummy food in a relaxing setting! With all it has to offer, Honeywood Valley is the perfect destination to relax, retreat, refresh, or reconnect! It is a great Covid-friendly option for those looking to get away and unwind. I sure hope to have the opportunity to visit again soon! Thank you to the kind team at Honeywood Valley for the outstanding customer service and the memorable stay!

Have questions? Their FAQs page is a great place to start. Feel free to reach out to me with any other questions you may have and I’ll try my best to answer them!
Here’s to more adventure and relaxing escapes in 2021!
Always finding joy,
Francie

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