A business city like Charlotte has plenty of top-tier hotels, but there is only one true resort that combines urban sophistication with outdoor activities: The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte.
In southern Charlotte, around 30-45 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, this resort is part of a mixed-use community that has flourished in recent years. You’ll find towering apartment and business buildings with buzzing restaurants, breweries and kids play areas along grassy lawns. However, The Ballantyne is the real mainstay, built in 2001 and spurring a development boom in the area that has drawn investment and growth.
Pulling into the fountain-anchored drive is almost palatial in feeling, but inside, recent renovations have transformed it into a modern hybrid. I loved how the light fixtures, leather furnishings and enormous windows create a subdued sense of grandeur.
Why stay at The Ballantyne?
Most people are here for a conference or on vacation with friends and family, but listen carefully, and you’ll notice a high percentage of Southern accents, too. That’s because the spa and Gallery restaurant are both magnets for local enjoyment—and rightfully so, as they have both been recognized by top-tier award rankings.
There was once a golf course at the edge of the property, but that has been replaced by lots of green space filled with bars, restaurants and fountains. It’s a resort vibe, but with a focus on high-level service that caters to the corporate retreat and discerning travel audience that regularly visits.
What are the rooms like at The Ballantyne?
The centerpiece is the pillowtop bed with thick duvets that tower so high you almost feel like a king when descending from them. Modern-day royalty, of course, needs power and USB ports on both sides of the bed.
Furnished balconies in several suites on each floor are great for fresh air or taking in the surrounding scenery, and I loved the wide, leather-top desk. A full-length mirror (something many hotels forget) is great for that quick once-over before heading out the door. Grand Deluxe rooms are more spacious than the Deluxe options, and the higher you go, the better the scenery (as I experienced from my two-room Executive Suite on the fifth floor).
Bright bathrooms come stocked with soaking tubs in many of the suites, and all of them have spacious vanities with Molton Brown toiletries and ample plush towels.
What is the food like at The Ballantyne?
In short, excellent. The Gallery Restaurant was preparing for a design and menu update during my visit, but the contemporary menu it showcases already seems rather elegant to me. It’s a mix between modern steakhouse and upscale Southern fare and I counted at least eight local farms and purveyors on the menu from which the kitchen sources its ingredients. The seasonal menu changes four times a year, and there’s a new focus on being a top-shelf steakhouse, since there isn’t one in the Ballantyne neighborhood yet.
The wine and cocktail list is extensive, and though I opted just for water, almost instantly a tray of colorful citrus fruit arrived to add to it. These are the little details that make a big impression. Another such detail: complimentary Illy coffee in the lobby each morning.
But back to the menu: one colorful wedge salad with local blue cheese, beef short rib prepared Bourgignon-style and a towering plate of crispy fig and bacon brussel sprouts later, I was stuffed.
Afternoon tea is available on weekends between 1-4pm, and is particularly popular during the holidays when themed menus are on offer. Mostly locals arrive in their finest, often with kids in tow to experience something special.
The newest addition is Dunbar Social, a sports-fueled venue where you can practice your swing at one of five TopGolf stations, throw darts, watch the game and fill your boots with comfort food like great burgers and salads while cheering on those around you. This is the casual and entertainment-focused venue that the resort was missing from its food and beverage lineup, and locals are already flocking to it (especially for its monthly Whiskey Club pairings).
Given its popularity, this stays busy every night with the pizza oven delivering steaming pies to guests, including on an outdoor patio. You can also order from a light menu in the spa or by the pool, dial down for room service and sip colorful cocktails in the lobby lounge.
What is the service like at The Ballantyne?
It fits the stereotype of Southern hospitality. Part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, the staff here is relaxed and friendly, but truly service-oriented. While sipping coffee in the lobby one morning, I watched as staff from different parts of the hotel helped to freshen up the beverage station—this included the bell staff, front desk team and even the concierge (the only Clefs d’Or concierge in North Carolina) who all took it upon themselves to remove used cups or replenish the condiments. That’s the kind of attention to detail that is the mark of a luxury hotel.
What is the pool and gym like at The Ballantyne?
The gym overlooks the patio and gardens with more equipment than anyone could possibly use in one visit. There is an indoor pool with two whirlpools, all bathed in natural light, plus a seasonal outdoor pool that features cabanas for shade, a full bar and plenty of sunshine. I didn’t use the spa during my stay, but have in previous years. This is one of the largest in the region, and it is a favorite of girlfriend getaways and locals looking for pampering.
What is the area like around The Ballantyne?
This resort is around 30 minutes from Uptown, but many guests come to Ballantyne and never leave during their visit. Over the past few years, this neighborhood has burst into a flutter of activity. An amphitheater within walking distance hosts concerts, and just across the fountain-lined pond, there are dozens of shops, restaurants and bars. It’s the kind of place where you can go for a jog and pick up a gourmet bagel and coffee on the way back or take the kids out to a waterfront playground. Oh, and there are some new residential towers, which have really fueled the energy here.
Why should you book a stay at The Ballantyne?
The spa and restaurant menus are enough to draw locals for a short visit or weekend stay. Doting staff members see to it that whatever the reason for coming to The Ballantyne (meetings, a wedding, spa day or for a concert nearby), your stay, like mine was, is worthy of returning.
DETAILS
Address: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277
Price per night: Rates starting at $260
Closest transport: The Interstate-485 (Outer Loop) and Interstate-77 are near the resort.
Book now: via Booking.com
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