The Jekyll Island Club was born in 1886 as a private winter retreat for a group of wealthy northerners. The 60-room clubhouse with its distinctive turret was designed by Charles A. Alexander.

As club membership grew, more accommodations were needed. A 6-unit apartment building named San Souci, (credited for being America's first condominium), was completed in 1896. The building seen in the photo above is known as the Annex and was added in 1901.

We're here for brunch today, and headed inside via what I'll call the "business end" of the hotel. The entrance by the valet parking desk takes visitors past a series of meeting rooms via the hallway seen in the photos above and below.

I want to say that this entire floor on this side of the building was nothing but meeting rooms and event spaces.

We saw more giant mirrors like the one we saw yesterday.

I'm guessing that this chandelier is original to the hotel, but I don't know for sure.

We arrived a few minutes before brunch started. Danita decided to check out the library next to the dining room while I wandered around with the camera.

This library sits next to the Grand Dining Room.

Waiting in the library for brunch to get started.

As we discovered yesterday, small seating areas plentiful in this hotel. The photo above shows a cozy window seat in the library.

A fireplace isn't needed too often in southern Georgia. But it is nice to have when it does get cold. The fireplace in the photo above faces the library.

The library fireplace is complemented by another one on the other side of the wall, (seen in the photo above).

The library sits next to the entrance to the Grand Dining Room.

This stained glass window looks out over the large porch and the pool.

Antique golf clubs on display.

A small lobby bar across from the library.

More great antique fixtures.

Another small seating area by the lobby bar.

I love the details in the woodwork !

Details in the woodwork.

Something with this arch caught my eye.

I don't know what this is. But it sits near the bottom of the hall arch. There is one on each side of the arch.

Another stained glass window, this one at the entrance to the Grand Dining Room.

Looking at the Grand Dining Room stained glass window from the other direction.

Brunch is served in the Grand Dining Room. With opening still a few minutes away, a staff member saw me taking pictures and said I could come in and take pics before they open if I wanted to. Yes I do !

The food stations are set up in the forward area of the dining room. The dessert station sat next to the entrance.

The left half of the buffet was home to the entrees, omelette station, and seafood table.

Two people would be on hand to prepare omelettes. Eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes were also available.

Two tables in front of the omelette station were for entrees.

The seafood table featured shrimp, scallops, and crab legs.

Apparently, live entertainment was also part of the brunch experience.

The other side featured smoked meats, a carving station, and salad table.

Smoked meats.

New York Strip was the star of the show at the carving station this morning. I spent a lot of time here !

Salad table.

We were seated toward the front of the dining area next to the buffet, which was great !

The live entertainment soon arrived. I didn't see his name anywhere. But he liked Billy Joel and was quite talented.

This was a great way to start the day !