Our Mission
Cradled by the iconic riverfront bluff of Darien – Georgia’s second oldest city – Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort is committed to providing exceptional service, incredible riverfront access, and memorable experiences for individuals, couples, families, and groups. We want our guests to feel a deep sense of calm the moment they arrive at our property, the feeling that the cares of the world have receded, that relaxation has become their (and our) first priority. The mission of Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort is to be the leading Boutique hotel on the coast of Georgia by manifesting the feeling of true Southern hospitality for each and every guest.
Our Core Purpose
At Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort, we dedicate our lives to provide personalized resort services and experiences, allowing people to create memories that last a lifetime. We want our guests to return again and again whenever they feel the need to slow down, to reconnect with the natural world and with each other, to be pampered body and soul.
Our Values
We believe the following values are critical to our success here at Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort. We strive to promote these values and demonstrate our commitment to them with our words and actions daily.
Hospitality
We believe in providing personalized, unforgettable experiences in a comfortable and welcoming environment, through our attention to detail, and the delivery of quality service by our warm and friendly people. We believe in providing a distinct sense of place that our guests will always connect with the sense of timelessness and ease for which coastal Georgia is known.
Stewardship
We are stewards of Oaks on the River who take ownership and embrace the full measure of both the freedom and responsibility of our position. We choose to treat Oaks on the River and all it represents as “ours” to nourish and protect. This extends to our approach to the pristine marshlands and coastal waters around us.
Innovation & Creativity
We design a fun and inspiring environment where all are encouraged to evolve and grow. We constantly look for ways to improve all that we do and strive to offer the best experiences backed by innovation and dynamic processes. We listen to our guests and create experiences that will uplift them and create only pleasant memories.
Hard Work
We are committed and aspire to exceed expectations in our actions and results. We are focused on the needs and experiences of each guest. We understand the importance of efficiency and our work ethic reflects the pride we take in a job well done!
Our Team
Art Lucas
Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort started as a dream for Art Lucas, long ensconced in coastal Georgia’s commercial real estate industry, to give back to his native McIntosh County, Georgia and the City of Darien.
“You just can’t create this unique and special place with its beautiful oak trees and gorgeous high bank and beautiful river, Art says. “I want to create some nice jobs here. I love the county and I love Darien. I went to school here as a kid through the sixth grade. I used to ride the school bus from Harris Neck, two hours a day each way. This is a great county.”
Art is particularly enthused about the outdoor experiences that Oaks on the River guests will have available, from bicycling to birdwatching to paddling on the river.
Bernard Sarme, Managing Director
With extensive training in France and Switzerland, Bernard Sarme has been in the hospitality industry for his entire career. His regional and international experience covers the broad spectrum of the hospitality industry, from food and beverage to financial management and business skills across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean.
Bernard has a gift for knowing what the discerning customer wants. He ensures guests are serviced by a well-trained, accommodating team of professionals.
Prior to becoming the general manager at Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort and helping to shepherd development of the property from the planning stages through its grand opening and beyond, Bernard worked as general manager at Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago; Cap Juluca, Anguilla; Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Hotel, Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Sonesta Beach Resort, Sharm El Sheik, Egypt; group general manager at UNNA Luxury Resorts, Bridgetown, Barbados; and project director/consultant at La Licorne D'Or in Grand Case, French St. Martin.