ConventionSouth‘s annual Radiant Resorts contest showcases some of the South’s most luxurious destinations for meetings and events, based on fan votes. Just as in past years, this year’s Radiant Resorts contest was extremely popular among ConventionSouth readers—receiving nearly 2,500 votes, and even more shares and likes.
The 2024 Radiant Resorts contest was posted on ConventionSouth’s website and shared on its Facebook page in March. Thousands of readers and fans voted for their favorites from 68 possible resorts in the South. From mountain retreats to beach escapes, the resorts featured here earned rave reviews and top votes for their combination of event space, guest amenities, location, and service.
Thank you for showing your support of ConventionSouth and your support of all the nominated resorts by participating in the contest. All of the nominated properties offer winning features for meetings and events. Congratulations to the top
15 resorts in the 2024 edition of ConventionSouth’s Radiant Resorts contest!
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, Gulf Shores, Ala.
Attendees can stroll along the white sands or breathe in the salt air between meetings at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, located in Gulf Shores, Ala., on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The full-service, beachfront resort combines stylish comfort with Southern hospitality in its 350 guest rooms, suites, and modern meeting spaces—including 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor event space. Its 12,160-square-foot ballroom is the largest Gulf-view ballroom on the Gulf Coast, accommodating up to 1,000 guests; just beyond the ballroom are the 5,500-square-foot outdoor Dunes Terrace and additional outdoor gathering, dining, reception, and hospitality areas. Guests can enjoy the Gulf-front infinity-edge pool, featuring a pool bar and grill with terrace seating; a state-of-the-art fitness center; two Gulf-front restaurants, offering locally sourced regional specialties; and access to 6,150 acres of coastal scenery and wildlife habitat, 28 miles of hiking and biking trails, and 800 acres of freshwater fishing with six piers. Other activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis, and Segway tours.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Located in the shadow of the “most magical place on Earth,” Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is where modern sophistication meets the elegance of the Victorian era. With more than 860 guest rooms, including 156 concierge-level rooms and 25 suites, the resort has accommodations for all types of travelers. Its 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space beckons event planners and their guests, most notably in the 5,800-square-foot St. Augustine Hall and 16 amazing breakout rooms. The resort features approximately a dozen dining options, such as Citricos, featuring a setting inspired by the iconic film Mary Poppins; the Enchanted Rose, which is influenced by Beauty and the Beast; and Gasparilla Island Grill, which offers breakfast, flatbreads, and sandwiches. For those looking for adventure off-property, there is convenient monorail service to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The resort offers plenty of its own onsite amenities and activities, including two swimming pools, a walking/jogging trail, and a fitness center.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Palm Coast, Fla.
Sprawling across a stretch of unspoiled beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a mix of a breathtaking destination, top-level amenities, and excellent meeting spaces. The resort features roughly 16,000 square feet of indoor conference and exhibit space, and 35,000 square feet of outdoor event space, including 15 meeting rooms. Planners will have resources at their fingertips, such as onsite conference services, a dedicated event planner, and on-property teambuilding activities to meet any group’s needs. Luxurious accommodations range from one-bedroom suites and three- and four-bedroom condos to two- and three-bedroom villas, vacation rentals, and single-family homes. In addition, Hammock Beach offers two signature golf courses, including the iconic Ocean Course, six dining options, a 91,000-square-foot waterpark with a lazy river and a three-story water slide, a full-service salon and spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, La.
Louisiana’s largest casino resort is one of four casino resorts voted in the top 15. Located in southwest Louisiana, Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, La., combines local Cajun influences with luxury amenities and custom services to create a unique and unforgettable Louisiana experience. The resort features three hotels with more than 700 total guest rooms; plenty of gaming options, including thousands of slots, Vegas-style table games, live bingo and poker, off-track betting, and the new Rez Sportsbook; Koasati Pines at Coushatta, ranked the No.1 golf course in the state; and a dream pool and lazy river. With a new conference center offering more than 53,000 total square feet of meeting space, including two ballrooms and seven breakout rooms, along with a 1,800-seat entertainment center and an 80,000-square-foot climate-controlled pavilion, Coushatta Casino Resort can host groups of all sizes. The resort team can create custom events for groups, such as slot or poker tournaments, crawfish boils, and professional-level golf tournaments. In addition, a major renovation project will bring gaming enhancements, new high-end restaurants, and an eight-story hotel tower with luxury rooms and suites in 2025.
Paragon Casino Resort & Conference Center, Marksville, La.
Paragon Casino Resort, in Marksville, La., welcomes guests in a big, bayou way. As a reflection of the Louisiana Bayou, the hotel lobby includes an atrium with a live habitat of alligators and snakes. Feeding shows occur on select Saturdays, and adventurous guests can even request to hold the baby alligators and snakes for a true bayou experience. For gaming fun, Paragon Casino Resort offers more than 1,000 slot machines and more than 30 casino tables, along with live poker and sports betting. The new Draft Room offers walls of HDTVs, lounge seating, VIP suites, and two Topgolf bays for virtual games. Golfers can also take advantage of the resort’s 18-hole Tamahka Trails Golf Course. Paragon Casino Resort features more than 500 guest rooms and suites, along with more than 35,000 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms, three conference rooms, and a 23,000-square-foot showroom. After meetings, indulge in the luxurious services at Spa la Vie, get a taste of Louisiana cuisine at Legends Steakhouse, or enjoy the resort’s other dining options. Attendees bringing their families can enjoy kid-friendly attractions, including three pools, a three-screen movie theater, a Kids Quest supervised play center, and Cyber Quest arcade and games.
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md.
Just minutes from the U.S. capital, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., is the largest non-gaming resort and convention center on the East Coast—with 1,996 rooms and more than 600,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a riverfront sun deck and bar, a fitness center, an all-season pool, and the Rêlache Spa; children’s activities include an arcade, a splash pad, and a scavenger hunt.
The resort offers more than eight different restaurants and bars, including the signature Old Hickory Steakhouse, featuring premium beef, artisanal cheese, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine menu. In addition, Harbor Social sports bar includes multiple interactive games, such as duckpin bowling, bocce ball, and darts. As a National Harbor waterfront resort destination, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center also offers easy access to more than 40 restaurants, 160 shops, and waterside entertainment.
Beau Rivage Casino Resort, Biloxi, Miss.
Craving a luxurious escape with a touch of Vegas excitement? Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, in Biloxi, is a sprawling resort boasting breathtaking views, world-class gaming, and impeccable service—making it an ideal destination for leisure or business.
Visitors can challenge their luck at 2,100 slots and 93 table games on the expansive 85,000-square-foot casino floor. When ready to unwind, destress at the spa, soak up the sun by the outdoor pool, or try the menus at one of the resort’s 10 exquisite restaurants, including BR Prime steakhouse; Jia, offering Pan-Asian flavors; and the BetMGM Book Bar & Grill. For event planners, the resort offers 50,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Choose from a variety of venues, from the intimate 520-square-foot space to the grand 17,000-square-foot Magnolia Ballroom, perfect for conferences, meetings, or galas. The dedicated meetings and catering staff ensure events run flawlessly, allowing planners to focus on what matters most.
