7000 Holiday Road
Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518
1-800-840-LAKE
The Colorful History of Georgia’s Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Over the past 55 years, the landscape that was formerly the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been transformed into what today is Georgia’s most visited recreational venue – Lake Sidney Lanier – attracting nearly 8 million visitors per year. Lake Lanier Islands Resort, a 1,100-acre lakeside resort located on the southern most tip of lake, has become one of Georgia’s most popular destinations.
1956 – Completion of the Buford Dam.
1957 – Army Corp of Engineers leases Lake Lanier Islands to Georgia Department of State Parks.
1958 – Lake Lanier fills to capacity (1071 feet above sea level).
1962 – The Georgia General Assembly creates the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority (LLIDA) to manage and develop the area with state, federal, and private resources as a recreational venue for the citizens of the State of Georgia.
1974 – Lake Lanier Islands celebrates its first year of operation. The first phase of development includes Harbor Landing, the campgrounds, stables, and a beach area at what is now the highly popular Beach & WaterPark. PineIsle Resort and Golf Course also opens, operated by Stouffer Hotels.
1980 – LLIDA takes over management for all attraction on the Islands, except for PineIsle Resort.
1987 – The Beach & WaterPark expands with the addition of water slides and the wave pool, which remains the Southeast’s largest.
1988 – Construction is complete on the 18-hole, par-72 Emerald Pointe Golf Club, which includes a clubhouse, pro shop and grille.
1989 – The Lake Lanier Island Resort hotel opens; later renamed the Hilton Lake Lanier Islands Resort.
1993 – LLIDA and the State of Georgia partner to create the Magical Nights of Lights, one of the world's largest animated light displays.
1996 – KSL Recreation Corporation contracts with the state to take over day-to-day management and operations of Lake Lanier Islands as a result of a statewide privatization effort spearheaded by then Governor Zell Miller. KSL invests more than $25 million into the property for improvements.
1997 – The Beach & WaterPark grows with the addition of South Beach, which includes the FunDunker® and Surf Wave® attractions and a retail space with food and beverage outlets. New docks are added to Harbor Landing and 75 percent of its 75 vessel fleet is replaced. Renovations also include upgrades to Emerald Pointe Golf Club with refurbished bunkers, new drainage system, tee boxes, and all new golf carts.
1998 – The opening of LakeHouses On Lanier® significantly enhances Lake Lanier Islands’ lodging options. The thirty New England-style lakeside villas feature two bedrooms and baths, a great room with a fieldstone fireplace, a modern kitchen and a wooden deck with a gas grill and heated spa.
2001 – KSL transforms the Hilton Lake Lanier Islands Resort into the Emerald Pointe Resort & Conference Center. In addition to a name change, the 216-room resort completes major renovations. Highlights include a grand new entrance, refinements to the rooms and suites, a completely renovated restaurant, and an elegant new lobby. In addition, the Resort expands its meeting space by 8,900 square feet to total 21,000 square feet.
2005 – KSL sells the lease interest in the hotel and businesses at Lake Lanier Islands to LLI Management Company, a resort enterprise of the Virgil R. Williams family of Gwinnett County, Georgia. The PineIsle Hotel closes and comes under the control of LLI Management Company, LLC
2007 – LLI Management begins renovation of Emerald Pointe Hotel and the Emerald Pointe Golf Club is closed for renovations and redesign.
2008 – Phase I of a multi-million dollar 10 year plan is completed. Phase I includes the completion of the new Legacy Lodge & Conference Center, formerly Emerald Pointe Hotel. Guest rooms are fully renovated with upgraded amenities, enlarged bathrooms, overstuffed chairs, luxurious linens, flat screen televisions and wireless Internet. Phase I also includes a complete remodel of the exterior front Porte Cochere, lobby enlargement with expanded gift shop, and expansion of BullFrogs Bar & Grille. In addition, six, 4,500 square foot six-room executive villas now sit adjacent to the new Legacy Lodge along the water’s edge. Looking Ahead – Phase II, now underway, includes the redesign of the Emerald Pointe Golf Club and a redesigned road system that includes bike baths and roundabouts for better traffic flow. Phase II is set to be completed by Spring 2009. Conceptual ideas for future development and revitalization of Lake Lanier Islands Resort include a variety of lodging accommodations and price ranges. An upscale lodge will replace PineIsle Resort. Other accommodations being considered are a boutique hotel, harbor/beach club, small group conference hotel and family center and bed and breakfast inn. Eco-friendly transportation such as electric cars, Segways and electric and standard bicycles will be available for travel around the islands. Scenic paths, viewing stations, gardens and current roads will be created or updated to accommodate future transportation and complete the feel of the “natural sanctuary.”
