With hotels sprouting up around the world, how's a traveler to know which ones are worth his or her hard-earned money? TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, makes it easy for travelers to recognize which businesses are best by awarding its Certificate of Excellence. As the site's number-one Pine Mountain resort, The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens, Autograph Collection is naturally among the recipients.

By receiving a 2013 Certificate of Excellence award, this Georgia luxury resort is placed among the top 10% off all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor. Recognized properties must maintain a rating of a four or higher (out of a possible five) by travelers, and they must be listed on TripAdvisor's website for at least 12 months. The volume of reviews a property receives is also taken into consideration.

"We are delighted to receive this Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor," Perry Grice, Director of Sales at this Georgia family vacation destination, says. "We strive to exceed our guests' expectations, and this acknowledgement of our efforts is at once gratifying and inspiring."

The hotel and resort offers a stunning location in Pine Mountain, Georgia, surrounded by the 13,000-acre Callaway Gardens and right by Robin Lake Beach. Nature influences everything from the organic spa treatments at Spa Prunifolia to the LEED-certified conference center, the world's first. Guest rooms are luxurious and take in the stunning landscape and surrounding forest from a private balcony. They also feature outdoors-inspired decor and colors, which create a soothing escape. 

At the Ironwood Lounge, diners can sit by the large stone fireplace or outside, enjoying pub-style fare and refreshing cocktails; try a Georgia Moon with corn whiskey, fresh-squeezed lime juice, club soda, grenadine, simple syrup and fresh strawberries, or the Blackberry Mojito with Bacardi Light Rum, crushed mint, muddled lime and blackberries, club soda, simple syrup and a sugar cane swizzle.

There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to get out and explore nature, too. FDR State Park is a short drive away, and families always have fun visiting the Wild Animal Safari and Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. Those with an adventurous side can take a Treetop Adventure along a zip line and ropes course.

In addition to being awarded a 2013 Certificate of Excellence, The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens, Autograph Collection was named one of the Top 100 Resort Spas in North America byCondé Nast Traveler in 2012, and was voted Best of the South by Meetings Media in 2008 for its exceptional meetings and conventions.