BY Susan Martin
Overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Hartwell, the newly redeveloped Hartwell Cove Resort offers visitors an instant sense of relaxation, says principal owner Dayton Diemel.
After graduating from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, Diemel and his team began searching for the perfect location to create a destination built around rest, reconnection, and restoration. They found it three years ago when the former Tiger Cove Grill and Campground came up for sale.
“In early 2022, our development team put the property under contract,” Diemel explained. “After months of working with Anderson County and local stakeholders, we finalized a redevelopment plan that would be an asset not only to our guests, but also to the surrounding community.”
The team’s vision was strongly influenced by The Green Pond Landing Project, a collaborative development between Anderson County and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
“Green Pond Landing is the biggest reason why we decided to do this development. They host tournaments, charity runs, and concerts,” Diemel said. “It’s considered one of the best boat ramps in the region.”
Over the last decade, The Green Pond Landing Project welcomed anglers from 48 states, four Canadian provinces, and 12 foreign countries. In addition to European and Asian anglers, four African countries have traveled here to compete.
Likewise from the start, Hartwell Cove Resort has been designed to feel welcoming to all.
“What I’ve heard from people so far,” Diemel said, “is that Hartwell Cove Resort is a place where you can get away and feel like you’re with family: even when you don’t know anyone around you.”
That sense of camaraderie shows in the mix of visitors, from retirees with luxury RV coaches to families enjoying a weekend in one of the resort’s tiny homes.
The resort features a restaurant right on the water, managed by local favorite John Doolittle, owner of Belton’s Grits & Grocery and downtown Anderson’s Doolittle’s.
“Hartwell Cove Resort is a high-end destination in high demand,” Diemel said. “We’re part of the only area on Lake Hartwell that contains 3 restaurants on the water within a mile and a half of each other including; Doc’s Lakeside Bar & Grill, the Galley Restaurant, and El Arriero. Also, we’re only 20 minutes from Clemson: perfect for parents and fans visiting the university.”
Hartwell Cove Resort Guests enjoy:
100+ full-service RV hookups
20+ cozy tiny homes
An office with coffee bar and mail service
Laundry facilities and an upscale bathhouse
A large dock for boating and fishing
A dog park and wash station
- “When people pull on site, see the lake, and walk into the restaurant next door, they’re automatically in vacation mode,” Diemel said.
“The resort’s atmosphere naturally encourages connection and relaxation. The happiness here is contagious. Everyone, from city weekenders to retirees, ends up interacting and enjoying each other’s company.” - For more information: visit www.hartwellcove.com, email info@hartwellcove.com, or call (864) 824-9612.
