The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte

The Ballantyne occupies an imposing modern building with a white and cream stone facade. The property has gorgeous sprawling lawns, including a golf course and ponds with fountains. Inside, the lobby has an opulent, classic feel with marble floors, regal red carpeting, and a grand staircase. Inlaid walls and ceilings, and thick columns throughout the room, lend a palatial feeling. A fireplace surrounded by leather sofas, red-fabric armchairs, and polished wood tables offers a spot for guests to read or play board games. The property is popular with conventions, and signs on easels announce which organized groups are arriving -- when we visited, Joe Biden was staying there. The Gallery Restaurant is modern and sophisticated, with naturally finished wood floors, golden lanterns, and a giant oil painting of a horse head; the separate bar area has an elegant, romantic feel with dark wooden floors and ring-style chandeliers that fall somewhere between modern and medieval. The Veranda overlooks the golf course. 

The hotel is located next to its own PGA championship golf course and within the Ballantyne Corporate Park, which is home to more than 35 Fortune 500 companies. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance, or guests can opt to take the free hotel shuttle that goes to destinations within a one-mile radius. The location is just off I-485, putting both downtown Charlotte and the airport within a 30-minute drive.  

Rooms at the hotel are clean and elegant with comfortable beds, classic wooden furnishings, flock-patterned carpeting, and 10-foot ceilings. All rooms have minibars, coffeemakers, Bose radios, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi (free for three devices, with fees for up to six devices). Bathrooms are charmingly decorated with simple wallpaper, and have makeup mirrors and toiletries by luxe brands such as Remede, Elemis, and Gilchrist & Soames; most have separate showers and oval tubs. Robes, slippers, and plush white towels are provided. Rooms in The Lodge are also available, but are located a block away from the main hotel, and guests may need to rely on the shuttle for transportation to amenities at the main building. Guests recommend staying in rooms with balconies overlooking the golf course.

There are plenty of recreational activities available at the hotel. It’s next to its own championship PGA golf course with a pro shop and practice area. There's a full-service spa that has a hair salon and offers beauty and massage services, plus a Eucalyptus Steam Room. The spa also includes the modern fitness center and an indoor pool, which sits beside a whirlpool and resistance pools. A seasonal outdoor pool is also available, as well as tennis courts, and fitness trails; yoga and personal training are available for a fee. The Gallery Restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced cuisine, and serves brunch on the weekends in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily; the bar has an amazing collection of Scotch, whiskey, and bourbon. Guests can also have cocktails, coffee, and pastries on the Verandah overlooking the golf course. Traditional Afternoon Tea is served Wednesday through Saturday, and there is food on offer at the spa and golf course. There is a business center available with two computers and a printer (but fees apply). Pool tables are available at The Lodge. Ballrooms as well as indoor and outdoor meeting spaces are available for private events, and the hotel offers free valet parking, self-parking, and shuttle service within a one-mile radius.