ConventionSouth’s annual Radiant Resorts contest highlights some of the South’s top destinations for meetings and events, as voted by readers and industry professionals. Always an audience favorite, the annual contest recognizes resorts that stand out for both their settings and ability to deliver strong group experiences.
This year, voters chose their favorites from 70 nominated properties across the region. From beachside escapes to mountain retreats, each resort earned attention for its mix of meeting space, amenities, service, and overall appeal.
While a select group rose to the top, all of the nominated resorts offer solid options for planners looking to host memorable events. ConventionSouth thanks its readers for taking part and supporting the properties featured here.
Congratulations to the Top 15 resorts in the 2026 Radiant Resorts contest!
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Bonita Springs, Fla.
Set on 26 acres in Bonita Springs, between Naples and Fort Myers, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa offers a relaxed Gulf Coast setting with plenty to keep guests engaged. The 462-room resort includes private balconies and easy access to a mix of leisure amenities, from a lazy river and multiple waterslides to separate adults-only and family pools. Guests can spend time at nearby Big Hickory Island beach, book dolphin-watching tours or sunset cruises, or play on the Raymond Floyd-designed golf course. A full-service spa and several dining venues, from Southern-inspired cuisine to seafood and casual poolside fare, round out the experience.
For meeting planners, the resort provides more than 82,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including ballrooms, lakefront venues, and naturally lit meeting rooms. Dedicated planning support, built-in audiovisual capabilities, and flexible layouts make it well-suited for conferences, incentive trips, and social events. Its location within 20 minutes of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) adds convenience for groups traveling from across the country.
Southernmost Beach Resort
Key West, Fla.
Located at the quieter southern end of Duval Street, Southernmost Beach Resort offers a modern, coastal-chic retreat in Key West’s Historic District. The recently renovated property features 293 guest rooms across eight buildings and four guest houses with city, pool, and ocean views, blending contemporary design with classic island charm.
Meeting planners will find versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, including the Tranquility Room for board meetings and luncheons, the South Beach Room for classroom-style sessions, and 2,488 square feet of lush outdoor space ideal for cocktail receptions or awards ceremonies. The resort’s private beach can accommodate 25 to 200 guests, while onsite catering from Southernmost Beach Café ensures seamless events.
Guests can unwind between sessions at three palm-fringed pools with private cabanas, the full-service spa, or with group fitness classes and unique programming, such as cocktail tastings and painting workshops. Dining highlights include oceanfront cuisine at Southernmost Beach Café and handcrafted cocktails at two bars.
Just 15 minutes from Key West International Airport (EYW) and steps from local attractions, the resort offers a tranquil yet accessible setting. Southernmost Beach Resort delivers a perfect blend of productivity, leisure, and island elegance, making it an ideal destination for meetings, retreats, and special events.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
This lakeside oasis boasts a mix of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American culture, from the property’s 15-story Gran Destino Tower to its themed restaurants and lounges throughout the resort. Guests are greeted by a two-story lobby with Moorish lanterns, bronze screens inspired by Spanish tiles, and dramatic lighting that highlights the resort’s signature arches.
Villa del Lago, the resort’s central hub, links the hotel via three bridges over Lago Dorado and offers lakefront dining, bars, and recreational spaces celebrating the art, lore, and culture of the Americas. The Dig Site Pool features a 50-foot Mayan pyramid, cascading water, a jaguar slide, and the largest outdoor hot tub at Walt Disney World Resort.
For planners, Coronado Springs Resort offers 228,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, including an 86,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a lakeside beach for events. With complimentary transportation to Disney Springs and all four theme parks, the resort combines striking design with practical amenities for conferences, retreats, and special gatherings.
voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort
Key West, Fla.
Positioned along Florida’s scenic Treasure Coast, voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort offers a vibrant, riverfront retreat ideal for work, play, and relaxation. The resort features 249 newly updated guest rooms and suites, including spacious two-bedroom family suites with private patios or balconies and walk-out access to the riverfront beach, combining comfort and flexibility for groups of all sizes.
Dining at voco Sandpiper blends convenience with culinary variety. Riverside Market features global flavors and live-action stations; Solara offers fresh plant-forward dishes; and Lucie’s delivers bold beachside bites. Poolside and riverfront bars, including The Hideaway and Sunset Bar, provide social spaces for networking or unwinding.
Meeting planners can take advantage of versatile indoor spaces and scenic outdoor lounges for board meetings, teambuilding sessions, or cocktail receptions. The resort’s amenities—including tennis, pickleball, basketball, beach volleyball, kayaking, and paddleboarding—offer opportunities for group engagement and wellness. A fully equipped fitness center and daily fitness classes further support an active, balanced itinerary.
With a serene riverfront setting, flexible event spaces, and all-inclusive dining, voco Sandpiper transforms corporate travel into a seamless,
memorable experience.
Amrit Ocean Resort
Riviera Beach, Fla.
Set on seven acres of pristine beachfront on Singer Island, Amrit Ocean Resort maintains a private island feel, yet is just minutes from West Palm Beach’s dining, shopping, and entertainment.
The resort offers executive conference facilities for up to 200 attendees across 12,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space. Wellness is central to the experience, with programs built around five pillars: nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, sleep, and relaxation. Planners can incorporate oceanfront spa treatments, hydrothermal therapies, and group wellness sessions into the agenda to enhance productivity and engagement.
Guests can enjoy the resort’s water-view rooms and suites, five dining venues, a private beach with cabanas, and a robust fitness program. With full-service catering, concierge, and modern audiovisual capabilities, Amrit Ocean Resort delivers both elevated meetings and memorable stays.
Chateau Élan Winery & Resort
Braselton, Ga.
Nestled in the foothills of north Georgia, Chateau Élan Winery & Resort offers meeting planners a Four Diamond resort experience approximately 40 minutes from Atlanta. The 3,500-acre property includes a 40,000-square-foot conference center with three ballrooms, 20 meeting rooms, two boardrooms, a tiered auditorium, and other venues, such as a winery, an event pavilion, and outdoor space.
The French-inspired château anchors the resort, combining traditional design with modern amenities. Attendees can take part in winery tours and tastings, dine at Marc chophouse while enjoying vineyard views, or spend time on the golf course or at the spa. A culinary workshop adds another option for group programming.
With a range of meeting spaces and onsite experiences, Chateau Élan supports both focused events and time outside the agenda.
Lanier Islands Resort
Buford, Ga.
Lanier Islands Resort delivers a refreshing, all-inclusive lakeside destination. Located on 1,200 acres along Lake Lanier in north Georgia, the resort features more than 38,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including conference rooms, ballrooms, and scenic outdoor venues—all designed to accommodate groups of all sizes. Natural light and waterfront views inspire attendees with renewed focus, creativity, and connection.
Beyond the meeting spaces, attendees have access to a full range of amenities, including golf, a spa, marinas, beaches, and three onsite restaurants. The Game Changer entertainment venue adds a social element, with duckpin bowling, arcade games, and axe throwing, while customized teambuilding programs, such as pontoon races and scavenger hunts, offer engaging ways to foster collaboration and build morale among attendees.
With refreshed accommodations, dedicated event support, and a setting that feels removed from the everyday, Lanier Islands Resort delivers productive meetings paired with memorable, experience-driven stays.
